24 monthsProgramme duration
26,700 GBPTuition Fee/year
19 Jun, 2026Application Deadline
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Social Work
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
This two-year professional programme is designed for people who want to qualify and practise as a professional social worker. The programme leads to a nationally and internationally recognised qualification in social work and graduates are eligible to register as a social worker with Social Work England.
Completing the social work programme at Bristol means that you can work with both children and adults. You will support people to identify their strengths and build their self-confidence, help them to overcome problems in times of crisis, and link with other services.
The teaching staff at Bristol include experienced practitioners who have worked in a variety of social work settings including child and adult safeguarding, domestic violence and abuse, school social work, foster care, physical and learning difficulties, mental health, youth offending, and hospital social work. At our research-intensive university, the programme's teaching team is also active in research, holding a wide range of funded social work research projects nationally and internationally.
Working as a social worker requires an ability to appraise complex and difficult situations, drawing on social science research, social work theories and intervention methods.
The MSc in Social Work combines university-based learning with two extended periods of supervised practice across two contrasting practice settings, together with skills training.
You will develop values and skills as a reflective practitioner, appraising relevant evidence - including research - to evaluate your own and other people's work and to contribute to the development of policy and practice.
Upon completion you will have a thorough understanding of social policies and a firm grasp of the legal powers and duties that underpin practice in England.
To explore the programme in more depth, view these videos which include interviews with previous students.
To be considered for enrolment in this programme you will need to demonstrate an understanding of social work (this could be within the United Kingdom or internationally).
More general information about the role and duties of social workers in the United Kingdom can be accessed through the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
Programme overview
Main Subject
Social Work
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
This two-year professional programme is designed for people who want to qualify and practise as a professional social worker. The programme leads to a nationally and internationally recognised qualification in social work and graduates are eligible to register as a social worker with Social Work England.
Completing the social work programme at Bristol means that you can work with both children and adults. You will support people to identify their strengths and build their self-confidence, help them to overcome problems in times of crisis, and link with other services.
The teaching staff at Bristol include experienced practitioners who have worked in a variety of social work settings including child and adult safeguarding, domestic violence and abuse, school social work, foster care, physical and learning difficulties, mental health, youth offending, and hospital social work. At our research-intensive university, the programme's teaching team is also active in research, holding a wide range of funded social work research projects nationally and internationally.
Working as a social worker requires an ability to appraise complex and difficult situations, drawing on social science research, social work theories and intervention methods.
The MSc in Social Work combines university-based learning with two extended periods of supervised practice across two contrasting practice settings, together with skills training.
You will develop values and skills as a reflective practitioner, appraising relevant evidence - including research - to evaluate your own and other people's work and to contribute to the development of policy and practice.
Upon completion you will have a thorough understanding of social policies and a firm grasp of the legal powers and duties that underpin practice in England.
To explore the programme in more depth, view these videos which include interviews with previous students.
To be considered for enrolment in this programme you will need to demonstrate an understanding of social work (this could be within the United Kingdom or internationally).
More general information about the role and duties of social workers in the United Kingdom can be accessed through the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
Admission Requirements
A Personal Statement must be uploaded (maximum 750 words) demonstrating evidence of interest in social work as a professional qualification and evidence of commitment and motivation to work as a social worker. Relevant work and life experience and understanding of social care, social work and commitment to the values and ethics of social work should be included.
Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded. This should include any relevant health/social care related experience.
One professional/work reference required from a social care related job/voluntary experience.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
- evidence of relevant work experience in health/social care sectors.
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
- Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
- Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance
Tuition fees
Domestic
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:


Get closer to your dream programme
Your consent preferences have been set.
Time to start exploring.
Your account has been removed.
You can still browse the site or sign up again once you have parental consent.
Get closer to your dream programme