MSocW (Hons) Social Work
About this course
MSocW (Hons) Social Work, a social work degree centred on professional training and social policy analysis. Core topics include Research Methods and Policy Analysis. Successful completion of the course enables graduates to apply for professional registration with Social Work England. The first year establishes foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Social Work, Power, Policy and Social Progress, Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, Social Science and the Chocolate City, and The Psychological Mind in a Social World, alongside optional choices like Theorising the Social World. Year 2 advances into Community Practice Experience, Communities, Participation and Creating Change, Enabling Spaces and Places: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health, Researching Policy and Society, and Creative Approaches to Working with Children, Young People and Families. The third year shifts toward professional application with Social Work Practice Skills, Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 1, Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 2: Knowledge into Practice, Law and Policy for Social Work, and Practice Learning Placement I. The final year concludes the programme through Applying Knowledge in Social Work, Practice Learning Placement II, and an independent Research Dissertation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB IB: 31 points overall BTEC: DDM We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus B at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus BB at A level Distinction, Merit in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus B at A level
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 92%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 10%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 80%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Media Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 15%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 45%
- East Midlands: 10%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 10%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Social Work
- Power, Policy and Social Progress
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
- The Psychological Mind in a Social World
- Theorising the Social World
- Criminal Justice and Inequality
- Social Harm and Injustice
- Community Practice Experience
- Communities, Participation and Creating Change
- Enabling Spaces and Places: Exploring Social Perspectives on Disability and Mental Health
- Researching Policy and Society
- Creative Approaches to Working with Children, Young People and Families
- Social Inequalities
- Victimology and Victimisation
- Future Worlds of Work
- Social Work Practice Skills
- Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 1
- Social Work Across the Lifecourse - Part 2: Knowledge into Practice
- Law and Policy for Social Work
- Practice Learning Placement I
- Applying Knowledge in Social Work
- Practice Learning Placement II
- Research Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £35,500. The £30,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Social work.
What do graduates of MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 31 points in the IB. The average entrant had 136 UCAS points.
Is MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York accredited?
Yes. Approved by the Social Work England for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with Social Work England as a social worker in England
How many students continue on MSocW (Hons) Social Work at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.