Master of Social Work, Kingston University London

Kingston upon Thames,

24 Months

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About this course

Studying the Master of Social Work at Kingston University offers you a chance to become a qualified social worker in two years, eligible to register with Social Work England. The program focuses on developing life-changing skills in real-world settings, allowing you to work in diverse fields such as children’s services, community care, criminal justice, and mental health. You will learn from experienced academics, practitioners, and people with lived experiences, ensuring a blend of theory and practice. The course emphasizes a psycho-social and life-course approach, fostering critical thinking and anti-discriminatory practice tailored to community needs. Practical placements, a dedicated Skills Lab, and sector-leading research ensure you gain hands-on experience and stay updated with the latest best practices in social work.

Why this course is highly recommended

Kingston University is recognized for top-tier teaching quality, ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and is top in London for Social Work according to the Guardian University Guide 2025. The program benefits from strong partnerships with local authorities and voluntary organizations, providing extensive placement opportunities, including two contrasting placements totaling 170 days. The dedicated Skills Lab offers innovative environments for skills development, and active research by staff ensures exposure to the latest practices in social work. Additionally, the course's accreditation by Social Work England allows graduates to register and work as qualified social workers nationwide and abroad.

Specialisation

The course offers core modules on working with children and families, adults at risk, and mental health. It also features a specialist practice interest module allowing in-depth study in a chosen area of social work, which can be pursued in national or international contexts. These specialisms include therapeutic interventions, rights and justice, service user engagement, health settings, social work management, and quality assurance. This flexibility enables students to tailor their education to specific interests within social work.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

17.00L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Completion of this program requires earning 180 credits, with each credit representing 10 hours of study. The course is designed for postgraduate students, with the program spanning two years full-time or part-time options. To graduate, you must successfully pass all modules totaling these credits, which include coursework, practical assessments, placements, and a final capstone project.

English language test

PTE

TOEFL

DUOLINGO

IELTS

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to register as social workers with Social Work England and can work in sectors such as children’s services, family support, community and adult services, mental health, disability, older adults, addictions, and forensic services. The qualification also enables students to work overseas or progress into further study or research. Kingston’s strong industry connections and internship opportunities facilitate pathways into employment, with some students securing roles as newly-qualified social workers within local authorities or other organizations after completing placements.

FAQs

What are the practical placement durations in the course?

Students will undertake two placements totaling 170 days in Year 1 and a final placement of 100 days in Year 2, all organized and supported by Kingston University.

Is the course accredited?

Yes, the course is accredited by Social Work England, enabling graduates to register as qualified social workers.