MSc Social Work

Why study this subject?

Knowing how to work with someone to overcome the challenges they face in life isn’t easy, but this course will give you the insight and understanding to do just that. 

As a Social Worker you’ll be aware of the impact of social issues including poverty, deprivation and exclusion. Social Workers aim to work in partnership with individuals and families to find solutions to unique problems. They also work towards improving quality of life.  

As a Social Worker, you’ll work with complex situations and learn to balance tensions between care and control. You’ll also engage in relationship-based practice whilst fulfilling the expectations of your employer.  

The choice to become a Social Worker shouldn’t be taken lightly. We welcome students who are committed to their future career and determined to make a difference to the lives of others.  

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At BNU you’ll gain experience working with people who might need Social Work support because your study will combine classroom theory with real-life experience, some of which involves working alongside current Social Workers.  

We work closely with People with Lived Experience so you can hear first-hand about the impact you could make with individuals and communities.  

We work with a broad range of partners to offer interesting Social Work placements including Local Authorities, Healthcare Trusts, and organisations from the voluntary and independent sectors, all of which are within a 25-mile radius of our High Wycombe campus. 

Our MSc Social Work programme is accredited by Social Work England which means you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as a Social Worker in England as soon as you graduate.  

Our lecturers, all of whom are former Social Work practitioners, have rich experience from which to draw on. Our lecturers will help you make sense of the theoretical elements of your studies by introducing their practice wisdom to lectures. Our tutors remain up to date with the latest sector changes and many of them lead and are involved with external forums, discussing and influencing the future of the sector. We also have course lecturers who are published authors in the field of Social Work.  

One of the most rewarding elements of studying Social Work is sharing your experience with other students. Some days will be intensely emotional, so it’s important that you have a friendly team around you. We pride ourselves in our ability to get to know all our students, so you’ll be supported by personal tutors in groups of no more than ten. This will help you to get to know us as well as each other. 

What facilities can I use?

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

Whilst studying with us you will also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

We recognise how crucial Social Workers are in the community and this course will prepare you to work with marginalised people across the lifespan, from birth to death.  

You’ll gain the necessary skills that employer’s value, like teamwork, communication, problem solving, analysis and evaluative skills.  

The modules you will study will enable you to have greater self-awareness, which will include your ability to manage your emotions and the emotions of others. Modules will also offer you the opportunity to gain relevant knowledge in theory, law and policy and how to implement this knowledge in practice. The experiences of people who have Social Work support will also be explored and examined, both from a theoretical perspective and a practice perspective, during your placement experiences.  

Our modules cover important topics like Ethics and Values, Society and Social Work and you’ll learn about how Social Work is framed by legislation and policy in England. 

How will I be taught and assessed?

Our Social Work programmes are full-time. Modules are taught to encourage independent study and will enable you to develop your own critical thinking, reflection and research skills – all of which will assist you in practice as an autonomous worker. 

As well as group workshops, simulations, presentations and tutorials led by industry experts, you’ll also complete two placements where you’ll further develop your learning and understanding. You’ll be required to work the hours of the agency you’re placed with, while receiving on-going support and guidance from your Practice Educator and/or Onsite Supervisor, as well as your personal tutor.    

You’ll be assessed through exams, essays, presentations and a personal portfolio, all in order to ensure you’ve grasped the key concepts in this important field. In your final year, you’ll explore a specific subject of interest through your dissertation project, meaning you can focus on an area of social work you’re particularly passionate about.