Intro

The Professional Social Work Practice MSc supports the development of qualified social workers from the early stages of their career through to being in a leadership role.

The programme is designed to be flexible and meet the development needs of social workers in any setting. Advice and guidance on which modules to undertake are available from the admissions tutor if desired.

Completion of the full award will consolidate learning in line with the eighth level of the College of Social Work's Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF). At this stage, you are expected to be a specialist with some strategic influence.

As a course of continuing professional development (CPD), the Professional Social Work Practice MSc is not accredited by a professional, statutory and regulatory body (PSRB). However, you must still be registered as a social worker with Social Work England to be accepted on to the programme.

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Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Part-time 1–2 years

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

The course is delivered part-time over one to two years. It gives you the opportunity to:

  • research an area of social work practice in depth;
  • develop understanding of, and skills in, research planning in relation to advanced professional practice; and
  • develop further self-directed skills in advanced scholarship.
School of Applied Social Science students in a seminar

Areas of study

The core module of the MSc, Research in Advanced Social Work Practice: The Dissertation, is a substantial assessment of Level 7 study. It develops your ability to carry out research independently, to evaluate research and its implications for practice, and to commission and manage the research of other social workers.

You will have the support of a dissertation supervisor throughout your studies.

You'll also choose option modules, enabling you to focus your studies on subjects that support your career aspirations.

Core module

  • Research in Advanced Social Work Practice: The Dissertation

Option modules*

  • Social Work Practice Education, Assessment and Supervision
  • Critical Reflection on Practice
  • Decision-making in Specialist Services in Health, Social Work and Social Care
  • Social Work with Adults
  • Attachment Theory Informed Practice Across the Lifespan
  • Enabling Learning and Assessment of Practice in Social Work
  • Social Work in Multidisciplinary Settings
  • Independent Learning for Advanced Practice in Mental Health or Social Care
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Skills and Assessment

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

A student in front of some books in a university library

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Careers

This MSc will advance you to the highest levels of the PCF and of social work practice. You will be more likely to secure a position as a strategic social work educator, a principal social worker or a strategic social work manager, depending on your chosen specialism.

Student working in the library

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have:

  • a first degree, or accredited prior learning (APL)
  • a recognised social work qualification
  • registration with Social Work England as a social worker
  • a minimum of 15 hours per week dedicated to professional social work practice in a leadership role
  • the agreement of an employer to facilitate relevant experience and supervision.

We recruit to this course through local authority secondments rather than through independent applications. Please note that individual offers may vary.

Fees and costs

Course fees

Please contact us for tuition fees for this course.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
  • Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
  • For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
    • Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
    • Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
  • For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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