Programme Specification (Postgraduate)
Date amended: February 8th 2013
1.
Programme Title(s):
MA Social Work
Intermediate award (exceptional exit route only):
2.
Postgraduate Diploma Social Work
Awarding body or institution:
University of Leicester
3.
a) Mode of study
Full Time
b) Type of study
Campus Based
4.
Registration periods:
The normal period of registration is 2 calendar years
The maximum period of registration is 4 calendar years
5.
Typical entry requirements:
•
•
•
•
6.
Undergraduate degree with honours normally at class 2.1 or above. A 2.2 honours degree
will be considered where there is appropriate social care experience and/or where there is
evidence of further post graduate study. An academic and work (or volunteer) reference is
required, one reference should be submitted on the UCAS form and applicants will be
required to provide a second reference if selected for interview.
GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above (or a University approved equivalent)
A judgement at interview of personal qualities appropriate for professional practice as a
Social Worker.
Candidates demonstrate that they meet the College of Social Work (TCSW) Professional
Capabilities at entry level.
Accreditation of Prior Learning:
N/A
7.
Programme aims:
The MA in Social Work aims to produce highly skilled, knowledgeable and reflective social work
practitioners. The course aims to enable students to apply theoretical and empirical knowledge to
research and practice and to promote students’ critical reflection on service development and
delivery and on their own practice.
In line with the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the course aims to
provide students with the means of demonstrating that they have met the Standards of Proficiency
for Social Work and are eligible to apply for admission to the HCPC register of social workers.
8.
Reference points used to inform the programme specification:
The programme is approved by the HCPC. In line with the terms of its approval the programme
incorporates all the requirements laid down by the Standards of Education and Training Guidance.
http://www.hpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10002C0EHPCStandardsofeducation(A5)(final).pdf
MA in Social Work
The QAA Social Work Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work (QAA 2008).
Annual Developmental Review Report
External Examiners’ Reports – Annual
University Learning and Teaching Strategy 2011-16
9.
Programme Outcomes
Unless otherwise specified programme outcomes are applicable to both the MA and the
Postgraduate Diploma
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Teaching and Learning
Methods
(a) Subject and Professional skills
How Demonstrated?
Knowledge
Demonstrated capability at the
level of a newly qualified social
worker (NQSW) in the 9 key
domains outlined in the
Professional Capabilities
Framework for Social Work
and meets the HCPC’s SoP’s
Practice curriculum
Case Analysis
Written Assignments
Recorded role play with simulator
Placements
Lectures
Workshops
Seminars
Role play
Understood the relationship of
how social work theory
informs social work practice
Demonstrated knowledge of
social work provision in both
the statutory, private and
voluntary sectors
Developed an understanding
of the legal and policy context
of social work practice
Concepts
Developed a value-base
appropriate for the practice of
social work with diverse
populations
Placements
Lectures
Workshops
Self-Directed Group Work
Written assignment
Oral presentation
Practise Curriculum
Techniques
Developed the ability to
recognise and challenge
discrimination and social
injustice
Group poster and presentation
Written Assignment
Practice Curriculum
Oral presentation
Lectures
Workshops
Role play
Placements
Critical analysis
Developed powers of critical
thinking and analysis.
Lectures
Workshops
Placements
Written assignment
Practice Curriculum
[MA only]
Dissertation
MA in Social Work
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Teaching and Learning
Methods
How Demonstrated?
Presentation
Developed a range of key
practice skills appropriate to
professional social work
practice.
Lectures, Workshops
Role play Placements
Seminars
Inter Professional Learning
Skills Portfolio
Written Assignments
Recorded Role play
Practice Curriculum
Appraisal of evidence
Developed research skills and
an appreciation of the
significance of research for
effective evidence-based social
[MA only]
work practice
Written Assignments
Practice Curriculum
[MA only]
Dissertation
Lectures
Workshops
Placements
Developed powers of critical
thinking and analysis.
(b) Transferable skills
Research skills
Developed research skills and
an appreciation of the
significance of research for
effective evidence-based social
work practice
[MA only]
Lectures
Workshops
Group work
Placements
Developed a range of key
practice skills appropriate to
professional social work
practice.
Workshops
Role play
Lectures
Seminars
Placements
Inter Professional Learning
Skills Development Days
Research proposal [MA only]
Dissertation
[MA only]
Practice Curriculum
Communication skills
Skills Portfolio
Practice Curriculum
Recorded Role Play with Simulators
Data presentation [MA only]
Developed research skills and
an appreciation of the
significance of research for
effective evidence-based social
[MA only]
work practice
Developed powers of critical
thinking and analysis. [MA only]
Lectures
Workshops
Group Work
Research proposal [MA only]
Dissertation
[MA only]
MA in Social Work
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Teaching and Learning
Methods
How Demonstrated?
Information technology
Demonstrated knowledge of
social work provision in both
the statutory, private and
voluntary sectors
Placements
Lectures
Skills development days
Practice Curriculum
Skills Development Portfolio
Written Assignments
Demonstrated a professional
commitment to work
accountably and effectively
with service users
Developed a range of key
practice skills appropriate to
professional social work
practice.
Problem solving
Developed the ability to
recognise and challenge
discrimination and social
injustice
Lectures, Workshops
Role play
Placements
Skills Development Portfolio
Recorded Role Play with simulators
Practice Curriculum
Written Assignments
Demonstrated knowledge of
social work provision in both
the statutory, private and
voluntary sectors
Demonstrated a professional
commitment to work
accountably and effectively
with service users
Working relationships
Developed the ability to
recognise and challenge
discrimination and social
injustice
Placements
Skills Development Days
Role Play
Inter-Professional Learning
Practice Curriculum
Skill Development Portfolio
Recorded Role Play with Simulators
Developed a value-base
appropriate for the practice of
social work with diverse
populations
Demonstrated a professional
commitment to work
accountably and effectively
with service users
Managing learning
Demonstrated a professional
commitment to work
accountably and effectively
with service users
Lectures, Workshops
Role play
Placements
Skills work
Group work
Practice Curriculum
Assignments
MA in Social Work
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Teaching and Learning
Methods
How Demonstrated?
Career management
Demonstrated capability at the
level of a newly qualified social
worker (NQSW) in the 9 key
domains outlined in the
Professional Capabilities
Framework for Social Work
and meet the HCPC’s SoP’s
Placements
Lectures
Practice Curriculum
Written Assignments
Demonstrated an ability to
evaluate your own
performance in practice
10. Special features:
•
In line with the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the course aims
to provide students with the means of demonstrating that they have met all the Standards of
Proficiency for Social Work and are eligible to apply for admission to the HCPC register of social
workers. http://www.hpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10003B08StandardsofproficiencySocialworkersinEngland.pdf
•
Fitness to Practise: Any student whose fitness to practise as a Social Worker is in doubt for
whatever reason will be considered by the Fitness to Practise Committee of the College of
Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology. Any student deemed to be unfit to practise as a
Social Worker will not be allowed to graduate with the MA in Social Work, irrespective of
performance in assessments, however a student who has completed the requisite number of
academic credits, may be considered for transfer to the Social Care Studies programme and the
award of a Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Social Care Studies as
appropriate.
• The College of Social Work(TCSW) states that there should be ”a consistent model of 200
days practice learning which will include:
30 days for development of skills for practice
70 days first placement
100 days last placement”
TCSW Practice Learning Guidance
NB The skills development days form part of the readiness for direct practice assessment
prior to any placements
•
It is a HCPC requirement (SET 3.15) that students demonstrate that they meet the SOP’s via
monitored attendance. The programme therefore, requires an 80% attendance at each
taught module to ensure that students have sufficient knowledge in each module subject.
•
There is no automatic right to a resit placement. A Practice Assessment Sub-Committee (of
the Exam Board) will look at the evidence available and make a recommendation to the
Exam Board as to whether the individual circumstances warrant a resit placement.
•
The College of Social Work requires ‘that there should not be compensation between
different modules/parts of the programme, nor condoning a failed module/part, especially
if this involves practice learning’.
TSCW Guidance on assessment strategies
11. Indications of programme quality:
The MA Social Work is already an approved programme with the HCPC.
The following extracts are from the External Examiner’s report, October 2012:
MA in Social Work
•
•
•
The course structure is appropriate for a 2 year professional social work course where
requirements are laid down by the regulator (previously the GSCC).
The role play and Interprofessional Education Modules at the beginning are appropriate for
introducing the students to the world of social work. It is a steep learning curve, within two
years they have to be ready to meet the strenuous demands of practising as a qualified social
worker. The course is therefore appropriately very demanding for the students.
The marking standards are rigorous, with frequent use of double marking where appropriate,
and occasional third marking. Extensive feedback is provided.
12. Scheme of Assessment
To qualify for the MA in Social Work, students are required to pass all taught modules, placements
and the dissertation. Where a module contains more than one piece of assessed work all of these
must achieve a pass grade before the student can be awarded credit for the module. The programme
follows the scheme outlined in Senate Regulation 6: Regulations governing taught post graduate
programmes (see regulation 6.19).
Assessment or Module Mark
70% +
60-69%
50-59%
Less than 50%
Grade
A
B
C
F
Outcome
Pass
Pass
Pass
Fail
Classification of Awards
The MA Social Work will be awarded with Pass, Merit, or Distinction to those deemed fit to practice
and pass both the academic and practice elements. Students who fail the practice element or are not
deemed fit to practice will be considered for transfer to the Social Care Studies programme and the
award of a Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Social Care Studies as applicable.
For a Masters programme with a structure of 120 credits of taught modules and a
dissertation/research project of 60 credits, a student must have attempted every assessment
component for each of the taught modules and have achieved the following thresholds:
Taught modules
Masters degree
120 credits at
50% or a grade
of ‘C’, or above.
Masters degree
with merit
120 credits at
50% or a grade
of ‘C’, or above
including at
least 60 credits
at 60% or a
grade of ‘B’ or
above
120 credits at
50% or a grade
of ‘C’, or above
including at least
60 credits at 70%
or a grade of ‘A’
Masters degree
with distinction
Dissertation/research
project
A mark of 50% or a
grade ‘C’ or above
A mark of 60% or a
grade of ‘B’ or above
A mark of 70% or a
grade ‘A’ or above
Placement
elements
A pass in all
placement
elements (PL1,
PL2)
A pass in all
placement
elements (PL1,
PL2)
Failed credits
No credits with a
mark less than
50% or a grade of
‘C’
No credits with a
mark less than
50% or a grade of
‘C’
A pass in all
placement
elements (PL1,
PL2)
No credits with a
mark less than
50% or a grade of
‘C’
MA in Social Work
The requirements for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (available as an
intermediate award only) are:
Taught modules
Postgraduate
Diploma
120 credits at
50% or a grade
of ‘C’, or above
Dissertation/research Placement
project
elements
n/a
A pass in all
placement
elements (PL1,
PL2)
Failed credits
No credits with a
mark less than
50% or a grade of
‘C’
13. Progression Points
Year 1
• Students must pass all Year 1 modules including the Readiness to Practice elements to be
allowed to commence Year 2
• Progression to dissertation will be decided using the criteria laid out in the table in Senate
Regulation 6: Regulations governing taught post graduate programmes (see regulation 6.29)
• In cases where a student has failed to meet a requirement to progress he or she will be
required to withdraw from the course and a recommendation will be made to the Board of
Examiners for an intermediate award (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work) or transfer to
the Social Care Studies programme and the award of a Postgraduate
Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Social Care Studies, as appropriate.
Note: MA/PGDiploma/PGCertificate Social Care Studies: This is an academic exit strategy that will not
enable students to fulfil the requirements laid down by the professional regulator (HCPC) and
therefore will not permit students to apply for registration with them or use the protected title of
Social Worker but it does acknowledge academic credits.
Year 2
• Students are required to have passed PL1 at the required Professional Capabilities
Framework level before commencing PL2.
• Students who were eligible to progress to Dissertation in Year 1, but receive a Fail grade
either on first submission if they have already failed previous credits according to the
Classification of Award requirements above, or who fail the Dissertation on resubmission and
pass both of their placements, will be considered for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in
Social Work.
14. Rules relating to re-sits or resubmission
As defined in Senate Regulation 6: Regulations governing Taught Postgraduate Programmes of Study
(see Senate Regulations)
15. Additional Information
Applications open via UCAS in mid-August through to the UCAS end date which is usually at the end
of June.
Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations)
Compulsory
Yr 1
Module Code
SW7132
SW7133
SW7138
SW7134
Module Title
Social Inequalities & injustice
Social Work Knowledge and Skills
Skills Development
Human growth and Development
Credits
20
20
20
20
MA in Social Work
Yr 2
Yr 2
SW7135
SW7136
SW7137
Social Work with Adults
Social Work with Children and Families
Research methods & Dissertation
n/a
n/a
Practice based learning 1 (70 days)
Practice based learning 2 (100 days)
Appendix 2: Module Specifications
See module specification database http://www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/documentation
20
20
60
n/a
n/a