Durham University
Social Work MSW
Durham University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Social Work MSW at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
79 /100
15 total respondents
chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
This particular course
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26500 £27000 £33000
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £32500 £21000 - £32000 £23000 - £45500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Anthropology courses of Durham University


Salary of all UK Graduates of Anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Anthropology courses in the UK

Course Description

The Durham MSW Social Work is an intensive course with foundations in research and real-world experience. Throughout the course you will engage with the knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work practice in relation to individuals, groups and communities.

The 21-month course is structured around seven modules. It combines academic training and a work-based research project with two practice placements, totalling 170 days, working with different service user groups. Practice experience of statutory interventions with children and families or ‘vulnerable adults’ is complemented by opportunities for innovative practice in the voluntary and independent sectors in areas such as family justice, homelessness, substance use, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, community interventions and self-advocacy.

The involvement of service users, carers and practice partners is integral to the course. This involvement, coupled with practical experience in multiple social work settings, ensures the MSW provides strong foundations to progress to any field of social work.

Our approach to social work is world leading. You will receive a high-quality education with foundations in research and real-world experience. You will be supported by social work academics, researchers and practitioners who are experts in their field, and who are aligned with our five research themes of 'Communities and Social Justice', 'Health and Social Theory', 'Higher Education and Social Inequalities', 'Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequalities' and 'Violence and Abuse'. There will also be plenty of opportunities to further explore the subject through debates with fellow students who join us from a range of career backgrounds and experiences.

As an MSW graduate you will be highly employable, joining our alumni community who shape social work policy and practices locally and globally.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Current jobs

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All courses of Durham University

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Social Work MSW at Durham University

35% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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The MSW Social Work is a full-time course that starts in early October and continues over 21 months. The course does not follow normal university term dates. There are approximately 12 weeks of vacation, including public holidays, during the whole course. The MSW is structured around seven modules. including two placements. The placements, which normally take place in social work settings in the North East, provide the opportunity to develop a range of skills set out in the Professional Capabilities Framework.  In Year 1 the first four months are spent developing the knowledge and skills to prepare you for your first 70-day practice placement.  In Year 2 you will extend your skills in linking theory, policy and practice. You will also undertake the second practice placement which lasts 100 days. This placement is carried out with a different service user group in a contrasting setting where you will also gain experience of statutory interventions in social work.  The course culminates in a research dissertation which brings together elements from across the course into a substantial piece of independent research. Assessment is via a wide range of methods to reflect the breadth and depth of the course. These range from essays, project reports and case studies to observation studies, group and individual presentations. Your knowledge and understanding of social work law and policy is assessed in a take away exercise.  Prior to the first placement, you will undertake a practical assessment of your communication skills to ensure you are fully prepared for a direct practice environment. The two practice placements are assessed by critically reflective accounts of work with individuals, groups or communities and by your practice educator who provides regular supervision and observes your practice. You are also expected to request, and reflect on, feedback from service users and professional colleagues.  The MSW Social Work also includes a 10,000-word research in social work dissertation which is carried out under the guidance of a supervisor.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

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Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

For further information see the course listing.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Social Work, MSW, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

**Normally a minimum second class honours degree (2:1)**

GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English grade 4 (or C) or above, or equivalent, at the time of application

Applicants must have sufficient recent experience (in employment, as a volunteer, as a service user or carer) in social care, health care or related voluntary setting to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of a social worker as indicated at the entry level of the Professional Capabilities Framework. As a guideline, this period of experience is unlikely to be less than six months

Applicants for who English is not your first language will be required to demonstrate evidence of English Language Competence equivalent to IELTS 7 with no element less than 6.5.

You will also be required to:

**Attend an interview***

Demonstrate fitness to undergo social work training

a. At the interview stage, you are asked to declare any health conditions or disabilities that may affect your ability to undertake a practice placement safely and effectively b. Upon acceptance of a firm offer on the course, you are asked to complete an occupational health screening in line with national guidelines agreed with relevant professional bodiesc. Provide evidence that you do not have a criminal record that might restrict your opportunities to work with children or vulnerable adults. Candidates will be required as a condition of admission to undertake, or provide evidence of, a current DBS check.

Costs

Tuition Fees Social Work MSW

England UK £8500 year 1
Northern Ireland £8500 year 1
Scotland £8500 year 1
Wales £8500 year 1
International £22300 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation here:

**

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #23 
    • #166 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

Total number of students enrolled at Durham University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Durham University
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Admission advice for international students