Masters Social Work - July 2025 intake

Social workers improve the well-being of individuals and communities, addressing a range of social issues, including poverty, inequality and mental health challenges. They provide support, advocacy and intervention to empower clients and facilitate positive change. To study social work at master's level, you’ll usually be required to hold a relevant undergraduate degree; since it is a highly interpersonal subject, it is usually mandatory to have accumulated some work experience in social work or a related setting.

Social work is a cornerstone of a supportive and inclusive society, and postgraduate programmes are widespread. Currently there are more than 100 master’s degree courses available to study in the UK, offering many options for specialisation in areas such as child welfare, mental health and community development.

What to expect

Throughout the master’s programme, you will cover various aspects of social work practice, ethics and research. Programmes include a significant practical or clinical component, in which you’ll be working directly with individuals, families or communities. Placements provide opportunities for supervised practice and professional development, and postgraduate programmes often encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with professionals from other fields, such as psychology, healthcare, education and law. Expect to engage in discussions and projects that broaden your understanding of how social work intersects with various disciplines and learn to take on leadership skills in preparation for roles in management and policy development.

Professional standards are established by regulatory bodies such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); once qualified, you must be registered with Social Work England to practise legally.