MSc Social Work at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

"My name's Clare Graham, I am currently the Head of Service for Contextual Safeguarding based at Birmingham Children's Trust. My role within this service means that I oversee a multi-agency partnership team that looks at reducing, mitigating, responding and intervening to risks to children outside of the family home. So this involves children who go missing from home or care, children exploited criminally and sexually, children who may be vulnerable or groomed into gangs, and children who are involved in serious youth violence.

What you will study

You will experience a mixture of student-centred academic learning on campus and practice based learning in a service delivery setting within the community, reflecting the nature of social work as both an academic and practical discipline. Academic learning will include a mix of face-to-face and online lectures, workshops and seminars, complemented by online resources and independent study. Modules include Core Skills for Social Work Practice, Ethics and Values in Social Work, Law and Social Policy for Social Work, Theories and Methods in Social Work, Research: Methods of Enquiry, Practice Placement One, Law and Safeguarding Practice, Enhancing Transformative Learning.

Career pathways

By the end of the course you will have the knowledge, attitudes and skills that employers need and want. You will also have the skills that will ensure your future and ongoing success as a social work practitioner.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any discipline. Applicants will also need: Three months or more practice-based experience involving working with people. Working in a care, support, or people development capacity is preferred but not essential. Applications will be considered on an individual basis. Two positive references, one from a recent Higher Education Institution (not Further Education) and one from a recent employer. If you do not have an employer reference, a character reference will be required. To confirm that they have the ability to use basic IT facilities. Applicants must upload a considered and substantive personal statement at the time of application. Applications not meeting this criteria will be rejected automatically. Any offer of a place is subject to satisfactory performance at interview. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearance. Enrolment on the course is subject to: an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. Occupational Health Clearance. After the initial check, students will be required to self-declare and re-enrol each year.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,840 a year (2027/28). full-time, 2 years; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 2 years full-time

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