Programme structure: Social Work (MSc) - what's running in 2027/28

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2027/28)
  • Year 2 (2027/28)

IMPORTANT: Please read the additional regulations specific to this MSc Social Work as some of the text below may not apply.

All units are must pass in order to meet the professional requirements of Social Work England. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Knowledge and Skills for Social Work Practice 1 SPOLM0080 30 Mandatory AYEAR
Theories and Interventions in Social Work SPOLM0082 20 Mandatory AYEAR
Social Work Contexts, Values and Law SPOLM0079 20 Mandatory TB-1
Research Methods in Social Work SPOLM0057 20 Mandatory TB-2
  90    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

Additional progress information

Students who satisfy the academic requirements and achieve 60, 120, or 180 credit points, but who either:

(a) do not to proceed to the postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Social Work, or

(b) fail the practice learning components or are otherwise deemed unsuitable for professional social work

will be eligible respectively for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science in Social Welfare Studies. The 180 credits for the MSc in Social Welfare Studies must include 60 credits awarded as a result of successful completion of the dissertation.

Awards in Social Welfare Studies do not meet the professional requirements for registration as a Social Worker.