Find out more about studying MA Social Work at Northumbria University, Newcastle? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Coach Lane
Full Time
Sep 2026
2 Year
A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. . They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse. Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
This two part module is designed to introduce to a range of key knowledge for social work practice and develop your ability to become an analytic and reflective practitioner before you embark on your first practice learning experience. In the first part of the module you will consider social work knowledge as this is framed within the Professional Capability Framework. An understanding of the concepts explored here will enhance critical understanding of social work and social policy explored further in SW0744. You will consider social and psychological factors that impact the lives of service users, with a focus on issues of risk, inequality, diversity and human development. Your learning will engage with key topics such as resilience and attachment, and how theories and evidence can inform practice and facilitate problem solving in complex practice situations. In the second part of the module you will be supported to develop a critical understanding of the detailed application of the law relating to social work practice and the contexts in which it is applied with children, young people and adults. The module examines the interface between the law and social work ethics and values, promoting a rights based approach and considering how the law may be used to promote anti-oppressive practice.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
This module has been designed to support you to recognise key concepts and underpinning knowledge about the social work process focusing on assessments and interventions to promote change with service users. You will examine a range of assessment and intervention methods and approaches within the social work process and how to apply these to different service user groups in a variety of practice contexts. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies, you will be encouraged to explain and distinguish between the various intervention approaches and models of assessment. The module aims to orientate you to the breadth of social work processes.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
This module has two stages of assessment in relation to practice. In the first stage, before commencement of practice learning, this module aims to support you to move from entry level to readiness to engage in direct practice, with an underpinning knowledge of communication skills for beginning social work practice informed by social work values and codes of practice. This will be located within a broader understanding of the social work role, collaborative working and the organisational contexts for practice. You will begin to develop a professional identity reflecting the standards of proficiency and develop professional resilience. The module plays a key role in assessing learning in relation to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at a level where you are considered ready for direct social work practice learning. In the second stage of assessment in relation to practice, this module will provide opportunities to enable you to acquire practice skills, and integrate practice and academic learning in a practice environment in a 70 day practice learning placement. This will also provide the opportunity for holistic assessment of your professional capability at a level where they are assessed as capable at the level expected of a first placement.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
You will consolidate and build upon your learning of social work knowledge to develop the specialist knowledge and skills for effective research informed practice with adults and children, young people, their families and carers. You will be encouraged to integrate theoretical perspectives and research into the design and implementation of effective social work interventions, particularly in the contexts of complex needs, risk, professional judgement and decision making. You will apply the concept of safeguarding across the lifespan to develop an understanding of the interplay between relevant legislative and policy frameworks, including specific reflection on ?lessons from practice? and the development of decision making frameworks and inter-professional working practices.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
The module will to build on learning from Year One and will support you to move from taking early professional responsibility to developing the confidence and ability to act as an autonomous professional at a level suitable for application to register with the HCPC and for entry to the assessed and supported year in employment. There will be an emphasis on moving from understanding to application and collaboration ? developing your ability to form and sustain effective working relationships that lead to effective action. You will extend your understanding of the range of professional and organisational settings and multi-agency contexts for social work practice. You will be supported and challenged to become effective, self-confident and accountable practitioners able to deliver high standards of practice in their work alongside service users, carers and colleagues. The module will develop student?s understanding of the social work role and support their transformation to becoming ?active? professionals - confident in their sense of professional identity, with the ability to think and act purposefully within a variety of operational contexts, in order to initiate and manage change and demonstrate leadership.
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
You will learn about how social work knowledge is created, find out about the different ways in which social work research can be approached and engage in ethical debate informed by principles of inclusiveness, especially the views and contributions of people who use services, carers and key stakeholder communities. This module will provide opportunities for reflection and critical debate surrounding practice issues with a focus on you as a critically reflective practitioner enabling you to explore a practice topic from an evidence-based enquiry perspective.
