Master of Social Work in UK: Eligibility, Universities, Application Process

Social work is a prestigious career and is about addressing issues faced by people in society and finding the best solutions to make their lives easier. Accredited by Social Work England, Masters of Social Work in the UK is a course designed for future registered social workers in England who wish to gain both practical and theoretical experience. Furthermore, the average fee for one year is £15,000 (INR 16,16,868) to £39,990 (INR 43,10,570) for international students. 

Why Study Master of Social Work in the UK?

Amongst the various reasons why the UK is an incredible option if you are looking to study abroad is the quality of education. Moreover, social work degrees have a very important place in the UK.

•  If you want to have expertise in social work and want to find a job that makes an impact, then you should consider applying for a master’s degree at the best universities in the UK. The requirements for an MSW in the UK are very reasonable.
• The number of careers that one can choose from after getting their MSW in the UK is incredible. In addition, some of the most in-demand professionals are social workers in the UK. 
• The Social work industry is growing rapidly in the UK and pursuing a degree in this field will be a great investment because the returns are very high.

Also Read: How to Become a Medical Social Worker?

Eligibility Criteria Master of Social Work in the UK

Furthermore, here are the eligibility criteria you will need to fulfil:

• Graduation in any discipline but candidates having a Bachelor’s degree in Social work (B.S.W./ B.A) or psychology, social science, sociology or any other related field get preference for a Master’s degree in social work. 
• A 2:1 Honours degree (2:1 – 60 to 69% out of 100%) in an associated discipline (usually Social Sciences disciplines).
• GCSE grade C+ / 4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• English proficiency scores: IELTS score of 6.0 and TOEFL score of 79.
• Moreover, some work or volunteering experience in social care, health or education.
• Shortlisted students are required to appear for Interviews via Skype as a part of the requirements of the course.

Also Read: Difference Between September and January Intake in UK

Best Universities for Masters in Social Work in the UK

In addition, here are the best universities for Masters in Social Work in the UK:

• Queen’s University Belfast
• The University of Strathclyde
• The University of Bath
• University of Bristol
• University of Birmingham
• University of York
• University of Nottingham
• Bournemouth University
• University of Hertfordshire
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• The University of Edinburgh
• Manchester Metropolitan University

Bournemouth University

This is a public University situated in Bournemouth, England. Bournemouth University ranks at 771-780 in the QS World University Rankings. Moreover, it is known for providing a strong professional to its students. Furthermore, academic excellence is something that the University is proud of. This University is an excellent choice for those who wish to pursue an MSW in the UK.

University of Hertfordshire

University of Hertfordshire is a public university and is situated in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Moreover, it offers a wide range of majors both for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, it is one of the top 200 universities in the world.

Glasgow Caledonian University

The Glasgow Caledonian University is one of the largest universities in Glasgow, Scotland. It has over 20,000 students and provides an excellent quality of education to all of its students. Additionally, the campus is very culturally diverse with students from all over the world coming to study here. Glasgow University provides one of the best MSW programs in the UK. 

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of the best universities in the world. It ranked 27^th place in the QS University rankings. Furthermore, it is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities. Moreover, it has 800+ programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Manchester Metropolitan University

The Manchester Metropolitan University is a modern university which is situated in the heart of Manchester. Manchester is often considered one of the UK’s great student cities. Additionally, it has a ranking of 601-610 in the QS World University rankings. Moreover, it is a public university that aims at providing its students with a mix of fun and learning. The University allows students with an MSW in the UK to reach the potential they are meant for. 

Also Read: UK Universities That Issue Offer Letter Within 14 Days

Masters in Social Work in the UK Without IELTS

Furthermore, here are the Universities in the UK that offer a Masters in Social Work without an IELTS:

Masters in Social Work in the UK Without IELTS
University of Bristol	MSc in Social Work Research (social policy)
	MSc in Social Work
University of Bath	MRes in Social Work
University of Edinburgh	Master of Social Work
University of Sussex	MA in Social Work
University of Dundee	MSc in Social Work
	MSc in Advanced Social Work Studies
University of Sheffield	MA in Social Work
University of Strathclyde	Master of Social Work
Nottingham Trent University	MA in Social Work

Also Read: UK Universities that Give an Offer Letter in 2 Days

Admission for Masters in Social Work in the UK

When applying to institutions in the United Kingdom, students must submit their entrance application online. UCAS is a secure online application system used by the majority of UK universities and colleges that allows you to apply for full-time or part-time master’s programs. Applications can, however, be filed through the relevant university application webpage.

Average Fees for Masters in Social Work in the UK

The cost of pursuing an MSW in the UK ranges between £15,000 (INR 16,16,868) to £39,990 (INR 43,10,570) for international students. However, you will also need to take into consideration the rest of the expenses that do not pertain to academia.

Duration of the Course

For most programs of MSW in the UK, the duration of the course is 2 years. Moreover, this includes practical experience and industry experience as well.

Application Process

International students applying to UK universities must follow a well-researched guide before starting their application process:

Step-1: Shortlist Courses and Universities

The primary step in the application process is to shortlist courses and universities according to your academic profile and preference. Students can shortlist courses and universities through an AI-Course Finder and generate a list of universities where they are most likely to get through and plan their application process.

Step 2: Know Your Deadlines

The next step is to know the exact deadlines of universities and colleges in the UK you are planning to apply to. International students have to take the application process well in advance (one year to 6 months before the actual deadline). This guarantees that students can fulfil all the college requirements such as SOP, letters of recommendation, English proficiency tests, funding/scholarship options, and accommodation in the UK.

Step 3: Take Entrance Tests

The third step in the application process for UK universities requires students to take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or GRE/GMAT/LNAT/BMAT/MAT (in some courses). In some universities, students can be given submit scores for SAT or ACT exams. Furthermore, a new addition to English proficiency tests is the Duolingo Test which allows students to appear for the exam from the comfort of their homes and is accepted across the world.

Step-4:  Compile Your Documents

The next step is to compile all the required documents and test scores for the application process. This means students should start writing their SOPs, getting letters of recommendation from teachers and supervisors, and arranging their financial statements along with other documents like test scorecards. With the COVID-19 pandemic, students must download their vaccine certificates and specify the administered vaccine for the application.

Step-5: Get Started with Your Application

Once you have all the documents in place, students can start the application process either directly or through UCAS. Students applying to UK universities that accept direct applications can start by applying through the official university website. They have to select the courses, pay the application fees and start the online application process. 

Also Read: Affordable Universities 1.5 Hours Away from London

Admission Expenses: UCAS, Visa, IELTS, TOEFL

Additionally, here is a brief break-up of the admission expenses for a Master in Social Work in the UK:

Type of Expense	Cost (in GBP)
UCAS Application Fee	£27.50
Visa Application Fees	£490
IELTS Fee	£158
TOEFL Fee	£157

Cost of Living in the UK

Moreover, the cost of living in the UK is as follows:

Type of Expense	Annual Costs (in GBP)
Accommodation	£670 to £1300
Transportation	£95
Utilities	£500 – £750
Course Materials	£400
Food and Household Items	£200

Also Read: Cost of Living in the UK: Expense, Rent and Fees

Scholarship for Masters in Social Work in the UK

Here are a list of Scholarships for your Masters in Social Work in the UK:

Scholarships	Awards
Chevening Scholarships	Full tuition fees
UNESCO Scholarships	Vary
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation	Full Tuition Fees
Manchester Alumni Scholarship Schemes	£3,000
GREAT Scholarships	Vary
Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships	£5,000, £10,000 or £20,000
Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries	£2,000
The Charles Wallace India Trust	Fully-funded awards
India Goa Education Trust Scholarships	Full or partial Tuition Fee

Also Read: UK Scholarships for Indian Students

Career Scope and Average Salary 

The average salary of someone who has graduated with a master’s in Social Work from a UK university is £22,000 and £40,000. This comes to approximately INR 23 to INR 42 lakhs per annum. After completing an MSW in the UK, one is eligible for senior-level roles and can increase their earnings depending on the kind of experience they have to offer. Here are some of the popular job profiles:

• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Community development worker
• Counsellor
• Life coach
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Youth worker

Also Read: Public Universities in UK for International Students

FAQs

Thus, we hope this blog on Master of Social Work in the UK was insightful for you. The application process to get admission to universities abroad can be a tedious task, and to complete the procedure hassle-free, you should seek expert guidance. Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu who will help complete your visa application while also taking care of the hassles of writing an impressive SOP!