Course Summary
This course will enhance your knowledge of social work theory and legislation, apply your learning to practice, and develop your critical and analytical skills as a qualified practitioner.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Geographical availability
The full masters programme (including the PG Diploma) is available for study in England and Scotland. It is approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE), subject to meeting registration requirements, and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), subject to conditions.
The MA in Social Work is not currently available for students working in Wales.
If you already hold a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from another HEI, you may be eligible for credit transfer to register directly onto the final module in order to 'top up' to the Master of Arts in Social Work. This option will be available across the UK.
For entry requirements details go to https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f80
Application Details
How to apply
Further information and details on how to apply are available from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care website. Please note that applications are taken for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and students decide at a later date whether they wish to continue to the MA in Social Work.
See Course Web Page link for next start date.
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
This is a broad qualification spanning children and families, adults and mental health social work and prepares graduates to work in a range of settings including local authorities, healthcare providers and the private, voluntary and independent sector.
Successful completion of the embedded Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work acts as a social work qualifying award in England, subject to meeting registration requirements, by Social Work England (SWE) and, subject to conditions, in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Duration
How long it takes
Most students study the MA in Social Work part-time, completing the qualification in 30 months by successfully completing the modules in sequence.
The average study time is 12–15 hours each week, but this will be considerably higher during periods of practice-based learning when you will typically be required to attend the placement setting four days per week for up to 25 weeks at a time.
You must finish the first two modules of the MA in Social Work within five years and complete the qualification within nine years.