Social Work

The MSc includes developing your knowledge, skills and professional confidence, providing you with competence requirements in the context of specific social work disciplines. 

To graduate with a Master's in Social Work requires students to complete a dissertation. The Master's in Social Work is an academic qualification that is a useful for applicants who would like to work abroad.

Learning Methods

On the course, you'll experience a mix of teaching and assessment methods designed to keep learning dynamic and practical. These include small group sessions, seminars, lectures, role-plays, simulations, workshops two full time work placements. You’ll also be assigned a personal Tutor who is there to support you with both academic and non-academic matters.

We believe learning should connect to real-world practice, so you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your experiences, take ownership of your learning, and set personal goals alongside the ones outlined in your course. This approach helps you grow into a confident, independent learner.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 20 students per group, 8 hours per week
• Seminars - Max 20 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Tutorial - one-to-ones throughout each semester
• Practical class or workshop - Max 20 students per group, 10 hours per week

How long is a Social Work course?

This Social Work course can be successfully completed within 2 years and 3 months.

Independent Study

As postgraduate learners we expect students to engage in independent learning. This can manifest in several different ways from reading research articles in preparation for seminars, preparing for group work exercises, conducting your own research for your Dissertation and preparation for going on placement. All modules will direct you to indicative and recommended texts.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 5 written assessments, including essays
• 2 oral assessments and/or presentations
• 1 practical skills assessment
• Full time work placement - 85 days

Year 2

• 4 written assessments, including essays
• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio
• 1 oral assessment and/or presentation
• Full time work placement - 95 days

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our school is the largest provider of social work education in Scotland, with an expanding social science teaching and research portfolio. We’re also proud to offer some of the most desirable Social Work Postgraduate courses in the UK. Our team of lecturers have strong practice and research backgrounds, and a passion for helping you to understand how to become a Social Worker. They’ll help you to achieve your best – whether that’s online, supervising your dissertation, or providing pastoral support. With small class sizes we get to know you as an individual throughout your course. Our teaching staff will provide you with a stimulating and enjoyable education as you gain a range of skills required to add value to society in a wide-range of career possibilities.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

You will undertake two mandatory placements, one 85-day placement and one of 95-days.

You may have the opportunity to apply to undertake the first placement overseas in a service setting that is negotiated with our partner universities. Students who have completed Study Abroad placements often reflect on the experience as being challenging and transformative in terms of personal and professional development.

Placements abroad may also be available.

Job Prospects

As a graduate of this course you will be capable of gaining employment in areas where a professional qualification in social work is required, including field work, group care, community care and hospital settings in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Standard Entry Requirements

What is needed for MSc Social Work?

• Applicants should hold the equivalent of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Law or Philosophy
• Lower degree classifications and degrees in a non-relevant discipline will be considered on a case-by-case basis where an applicant holds significant relevant work experience.
• Scottish National Grade 5 or GCSE in Maths grade B or equivalent required. Applicants that do not have this will be offered the University’s numeracy test
• Applicants are also required to show evidence of computer literacy for the European Computer Driving Licence. Whilst this is mandatory, this is not a requirement prior to the course starting, rather it is something that we measure throughout the course as students have to access teaching online, submit assignments online and also work with IT systems whilst out on placement.
• Applicants from the UK and EU must submit their application via UCAS. International Applicants may submit their application via UCAS or direct to the University. Please note that within the personal statement section of the application, include: 
  • Your understanding of the social work profession in the UK (and in your home country if you are an applicant from outside the UK), 
  • Why you wish to study the MSc Social Work at Robert Gordon University, and 
  • How you plan to use this qualification in your future career plan.
• All offers are subject to satisfactory Health Clearance, Disclosure and Barring Service/Criminal Conviction Check, and completion of our selection process. This includes a short written task and an interview with a member of the team. The interview is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, clarify any aspects of the programme, and learn more about what to expect.

Practical Information for International Applicants

Studying Social Work in Scotland provides essential information for students coming from outside Scotland to study social work, including living and studying in Scotland, and social work practice in Scotland:

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 7.0 overall and 6.5 in each element, or an equivalent English Language Qualification. If you have completed a different English test, you can check how it compares on the IELTS website.

This is a requirement of our regulatory body, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Applicants who have studied in the UK at a Higher Education Institution and have a full time Masters Degree qualification or higher will be exempt from taking the IELTS.

Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.