Social Work MSW



Gain the professional knowledge and skills you need to qualify and practise as a registered social worker

Overview

This programme is designed for graduates who wish to qualify as a social worker, and pursue their passion for improving people’s lives, by studying social work policy, practice and research within a two-year time frame. It will prepare you with the knowledge, self-awareness, and experience you need to thrive in the field of social work. You will enter the workplace as a confident, competent and autonomous social worker, equipped to lead the delivery of personalised and responsive services, which place individuals and families at the centre of their care and support.

The programme aims to develop your interest in, and knowledge and understanding of social work to enable you to:

1. Meet the registration requirements of the SSSC as a qualified social worker.
2. Uphold and promote the rights, values and autonomy of people receiving services and/or carers.
3. Become a critically reflexive practitioner who can lead change in the local, national and global health and social care environment. 
4. Learn with and from people receiving services, carers, and other health and social care professionals.
5. Develop skills in appraisal, evaluation, and synthesis of evidence to justify social work interventions and decision making.

At Edinburgh Napier University we aim to be recognised as a university that is professional, ambitious, innovative and inclusive, and to create an environment in which you feel confident, challenged and supported, and proud to be a student here. 

Typical entry point to this course is in January. Please enquire for more information. 

 
MSW Social Work student.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

2 years

Course details

This programme is offered in a full-time study mode. As a full-time student you will study 9 modules plus a dissertation. A standard module is equivalent to 200 hours of learning and on successful completion of each module you will achieve 20 credits towards your award. You will also undertake research in the completion of a dissertation to gain 40 credits towards your master’s degree. The Programme for academic year 2024-2025 is set out below:

Year 1: Developing an understanding of the social work role

The first year of the programme sets the foundations for understanding the social work role by exploring its legal and ethical context and by establishing some of the key knowledge, skills and values you will require to involve people who have experienced different forms of ill-health, abuse, adversity, and other forms of vulnerability and social injustice in the assessment of their needs and in decision making around their support. The importance of research and evidence is highlighted throughout, and a practice placement at the end of the first year provides the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and to consolidate all of your learning throughout the year. 

Year 2: Challenging the social work role and shaping the future

The second year of the programme builds in complexity by addressing challenges of risk assessment, public protection and decision making within the context of social work theory and practice. You will further develop your communication and assessment skills while involved with a range of people receiving services and/or carers. In doing so, you will explore issues of conflict and risk, and consider the possibility that children and adults who are in need of our care and support may also present risks to others. The final year will focus on the research proposal and dissertation allowing you to develop specific areas of professional interest and expertise. You will undertake a final practice placement which will enable you to make the transition into the workplace as a competent, confident and autonomous practitioner. 

Subjects include:

Year 1
  • Applied Social Work Models and Methods (20 credits)
  • Working with Individuals, Families and Communities (20 credits)
  • Legal, Policy, and Ethical Frameworks (20 credits)
  • AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology (collaborative) (20 credits)
  • Social Work and Assessment (20 credits)
  • Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B (20 credits)

Year 2

  • Changes and Challenges in Social Work (20 credits)
  • Safeguarding and Public Protection (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (40 credits)
  • Practice Placement 2 (20 credits) 

Lead academics

Dr Jana Králová (‘Yana’, she/her) is Social Work academic, practitioner, author of peer-reviewed publications, researcher and publicly engaged social death preventer. Jana's scholarly interest in Social Death and its prevention includes all individuals and communities that are dehumanised, marginalised, discriminated against, oppressed, excluded, stigmatised, and otherwise considered worthless by others. Jana is interested in thinking, writing, and practising with these populations in ways which promote unconditional positive regard for all human beings. Jana uses dialogical approach to teaching, whereby all students are equal partners engaged through critical dialog and reflection in addressing the changes and challenges in contemporary social work.

Dr Hadijah Mwenyango is a Lecturer in Social Work at Edinburgh Napier University. Originally, a social work academic from Makerere University Uganda, she obtained her PhD in Social Work from The University of Edinburgh and her MSc in Social Work and Human Rights from Gothenburg University. Her research centres on the health needs and challenges of forced migrants/refugees. She is passionate about giving a voice to socially excluded populations. She is excited to welcome you to the MSW and will be the module leader on Applied Social Work Models and Methods, Social Work and Assessment and Social Work Practice 2. 

Dr Sarah Rose a qualified social worker and practice educator and worked for over a decade in local authority adult services in Scotland before moving into social work research and education. Sarah's PhD was in the emotional resilience of social workers, and she has subsequently been part of a research project concerned with the inclusion of self-care into social work curricula. Sarah's ongoing research interests centre on resilience, workforce wellbeing, professional integrity and ethical practice. She joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2022 and is the programme leader for the Graduate Certificate in Practice Learning, and the Master of Social Work module leader for Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks, and Safeguarding and Public Protection.  

Dr Evangelia Petropoulou has been a qualified social worker since 2004. She has experience of working with children and families in a range of settings in the statutory and voluntary sector. She completed a MSc in Inclusive and Special Education at the University of Edinburgh in 2012, and her PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2018. Her research interests and expertise include identifying the predictive and protective factors of injuries of people with learning disabilities and developing risk injury and risk fall injury assessment tools tailored to this population in order to implement the most promising interventions on a broad scale. She is also particularly interested in service provision and the involvement of people with learning disabilities in the design and delivery of health and social care services and education. 
 
Evangelia joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2022 and she is the module leader for ‘Working with Individuals, Families and Communities’, ‘AHP & Social Work Research Questions and Methodology’ and ‘Practice Placement 1: Part A and Part B’ modules. She is passionate about supporting social work students to develop their skills and knowledge in person-centred approaches. Providing an inclusive learning environment where students feel respected, valued, and academically stimulated motivates her approach. 

Kate Fennell is a social work lecturer and a research doctoral candidate (so, she's a student too!). Her practice experience spans 3 decades in Scotland and England. Specifically, Kate was a Mental Health Officer, practice teacher and adult protection lead officer in Edinburgh. Because of her practice experience, Kate teaches across a number of the programme modules but has a particular interest in mental health & capacity law and public protection. She is collaborating with people who use services, to provide authentic, informed, and inclusive learning experiences for MSW students in preparation for the reality of social work practice. Kate cycles everywhere, to work, across the UK, Europe and more significantly throughout Scotland’s fabulous Highlands and Islands.

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    How you’ll be taught

     This is a full-time course delivered over two years. The teaching will involve practitioners and people who use services, alongside academic staff. The first two trimesters each year focus on theory, knowledge, and skills development, and in the third trimester each year you will undertake a work placement in order to consolidate your learning and to integrate the theory with practice. You will otherwise learn by a variety of teaching methods including scenario-based learning, tutorials, seminars, simulation, group work and independent study.

    A blended learning approach will utilise online technologies in combination with service user focused scenarios and case studies, group work and enquiry-based learning in order to facilitate problem definition and solving skills. People receiving services and carers will be involved directly in the delivery of teaching throughout your programme so that their expertise by experience can be incorporated alongside your theoretical and research-based learning. You will work and present ideas in groups as well as individually in order to develop further communication and interpersonal skills and attitudes as well as problem solving, analytical, critical and evaluative processes.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

    The MSW programme will utilise a range of assessment approaches which are constructively aligned with the learning outcomes for each module, and which will allow you to develop skills important to your academic and professional development. 

    A range of summative assessment formats have been built into the programme, which include, but are not limited to reflective essays, reports, individual presentations, video-taped simulation (role-play), portfolio, research proposal, and practice placement assessments.
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    Work placement

     In each year of the course, you will undertake a full-time placement of 85 working days, supervised by a practice educator. This will allow you to experience the social work role in interesting and challenging settings including those with a focus on health and social care integration.
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    Facilities

     The facilities provided by the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre offer highly realistic environments within which to develop your communication and engagement skills and to integrate theory with practice in a range of situations including visiting people in their own homes.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

 

What are the entry requirements for Social Work?

A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with honours at a minimum of 2.2 preferably in a Social Science related subject and social care experience.

Preference for shortlisting will be given to candidates with 2.1 and above, with relevant social care experience. Applicants with other professional qualifications and/or significant relevant work experience, which demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills or who have a post graduate or distinction award in a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant health and social care profession where honours study was not an option will be considered for selection on an individual basis. 

Literacy & Numeracy requirements

Literacy requirements

It is essential for students to demonstrate skills in literacy and criticality over the course of the degree programmes to fully meet the Standards in Social Work Educaion (SiSWE). Applicants must be able to:

(i) demonstrate proficiency in English language

(ii) have capability in literacy to meet programme outcomes

(iii) have capability for digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes.

These skills would normally be equivalent to a minimum SCQF level 5 (Grade C or equivalent). Literacy skills may also be evidenced by a test at point of interview mapped against SCQF Level 5 or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 7.

Numeracy requirements

Applicants will evidence one of the following:

i) The numerical skills required to understand the course materials and meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE), for example: financial assessment; budgetary procedures; managing care plans and resources or interpreting graphical data

These skills would normally be equivalent to a minimum SCQF level 5 Core Skills Numeracy at Grade C. Numeracy skills may also be evidenced by a numeracy test at point of interview mapped against SCQF Level 5.

or

ii) The ability and opportunity to learn and to demonstrate the required numerical skills while studying for the degree, for example successful completion of an undergraduate statistics or data skills module in the first year.

We will support students throughout the programme in continuously developing their abilities in numeracy, literacy, digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes and prepare for professional practice.

Non-academic entry requirements

1. Commitment to and knowledge of subject area

Applicants must demonstrate commitment to, and knowledge of, Social Work. A personal statement will be required alongside the application form evidencing experience in a social care /social work setting. This work can be on a voluntary or paid basis. Normally, we would expect work experience to be a minimum of six months at the time of application.

2. Reference

Applicants will be expected to provide two references in support of their application. These references will normally include one academic and one professional reference.

3. English language entry requirements

As all learning, teaching and assessment activities are conducted in English, if your first language is not English you must have a minimum International English Language Testing System score of 7.0 with all four elements having a score of at least 6.5.

4. Criminal records check

All candidates (both UK and overseas) are required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme in Scotland and have a satisfactory outcome. International candidates must provide an equivalent, criminal records check from the country or countries of residence prior to entering the UK.

5. Applicants with a declared disability

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity through the best possible level of support to students. Any disability or medical condition requiring additional support should be disclosed on the application to ensure ENU can provide student-centred support.

Video Submission and Selection Requirements

Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the typical minimum entry requirements does not always guarantee shortlisting or a place on the course.

Applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to submit a pre-recorded five-minute video presentation. In this video, applicants should outline their motivation to pursue a career in social work and highlight what they could offer to the profession. The video will be reviewed by members of the selection panel, including service users and carers, as part of the admissions decision-making process.

Admission to the Programme is dependent upon a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Check. The cost of the PVG check will be paid by the University.

Additional Information

All students are required to register as a Social Work student with the Scottish Social Services Council on joining the programme.

Can I get admission into Social Work based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 
If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 with no individual component score of less than 6.5.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £7,650
Overseas and EU £18,800 £19,750
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

High Court of Justiciary sign

What can you do with a Social Work Degree?

By studying a Master of Social Work at Edinburgh Napier University, you will qualify as a social worker, ready to work in local authority or third sector services, within the areas of Children & Families, Justice, or Adult Social Work. A degree in Social Work equips you with advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise to take on specialised roles within the social work profession. It also offers opportunities for leadership positions, specialised practice areas, and higher-level responsibilities within organisations dedicated to social welfare and community support. If you’re a caring and helpful person by nature, passionate about the health and well-being of individuals and communities, then this may be the right course for you.

What does a Social Worker do?

Social workers work in various settings, including local authority social work teams, hospitals, schools, mental health services, prisons, and voluntary organisations. Their primary goal is to empower individuals and communities to navigate various challenges, overcome obstacles, and improve their overall well-being. Team and autonomous working skills will be required to deliver vital support in a fast-paced environment, with no day being the same.

 Daily tasks and responsibilities in this role may include: 

  • Advocating for people’s rights and needs within legal and social systems.
  • Providing counselling, emotional support, and guidance to individuals or groups dealing with issues such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, or family conflicts.
  • Developing and implementing plans to address people’s specific needs as identified during assessments.
  • Maintaining accurate records and documentation of interactions and progress with people receiving services.
  • Referring people to relevant resources such as healthcare services, housing assistance, financial aid, or community support programs.
  • Collaborating with community organisations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to create and improve services and resources available to individuals and families.
  • Empowering people to effect change in their own lives and to advocate for themselves.

 

Social worker sitting down with girl on laptop