MA Social Work Studies (Top-Up) at University of Sunderland

Are you a qualified social worker? Do you want to 'top up' your postgraduate diploma (PgDip) to a full master's degree? The MA Social Work Studies (Top-Up) will help you get there. Having this master's degree will give you: A deeper understanding of the importance of research; Better insight into evidence-based practice; Improved critical thinking skills; Further knowledge of research-informed practice; Please note, this course isn't a professional qualification in social work.

Department: Social Sciences  |  Duration: 1 year part-time  |  Study mode: part-time  |  Intake: October 2026  |  Location: Sunderland, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

The course offers a single, 60-credit research project module. This dissertation can be in a specialist area of social work that interests you. During the module, you'll develop your knowledge of: The research process, including the impact of values and ethics; Research methods and methodologies; Policy and legislative frameworks; Social work theory. We'll encourage you to explore the relationship between research, evidence, policy, and practice. This will help you form a well-reasoned debate.

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