Course description
The programme expects candidates to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and experience of social work and a sound motivation to train as a social worker. These qualities can best be acquired through a period of relevant paid or voluntary work in a social-care or social-work setting.
Candidates will normally have at least one year's relevant experience, and many will have more. As a rule candidates should aim to gain relevant experience before applying. Candidates without social work or social care experience will still be considered for a place if they have other kinds of work or professional experience. They will be expected to demonstrate ability to transfer learning and experience and management of complex relationships in personal and/or work contexts.
Learning Outcomes
The course will equip you with all the practical and theoretical skills necessary for professional recognition by the Scottish Social Services Council and the General Social Care Council.
How You Will Be Taught
You will be taught through a combination of coursework, practice learning and dissertation work. Students are required to attend regularly and participate fully in the programme.
Each student is allocated a staff member as their individual tutor, who will offer guidance on all aspects of the programme including academic work and managing placements.
Academic Curriculum : MSW/PgDip in Social Work
First Year (MSW 1)
In the first year, the programme includes four courses, practice learning and dissertation work. The four taught courses are:
* Social Work in Context
* Social Science for Social Work
* Research and Evaluation in Social Work
* Learning for Practice 1
Throughout the MSW the exploration of values and ethics is a key component and students will be given the opportunity to explore the personal and theoretical challenges arising from the development of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice within social work.
Practicum 1
If you are a Student or Practice Teacher looking for Practicum 1 forms, they can be found on our forms index page.
Second Year (MSW 2)
Students must complete satisfactorily the first year of the normal curriculum to proceed to final year. In addition, students must achieve an overall threshold grade of not less than 50% and submit a 4000 word literature review at the beginning of second year to proceed to dissertation. Students who pass all components of first year assessment but do not achieve the grade threshold, fail to submit a literature review, or who choose candidature for the University's Diploma, must submit and pass a long essay of 7000 words in place of the dissertation.
In the second year, the MSW programme comprises:
* Evidence-based Practice
* Learning for Practice 2
* Dissertation
