The course

Social Work (MSc)

We will accept applications via the UCAS Undergraduate Portal with course code L508 or via "Apply Now" above to our direct portal.

*(please note, the tuition fees and entry requirements for 2026 may differ from the information shown on this page)

Society needs skilled and empathetic social workers – and they’re made at Royal Holloway. Take this professional course to register with Social Work England and start making a difference.

With soaring inequality and rising poverty there are diverse contexts where people face extreme hardships. With two practice placements, you’ll learn what it takes to advocate for people’s basic rights and needs.

To design course content, we consult an advisory group of people with lived experience. Alongside our teaching team of academics and qualified professionals, they’ll contribute in the classroom too.

Surrounded by social work experts

Benefit from excellent partnerships with local authorities, NHS Trusts, and voluntary sector services across London and beyond
In the classroom, engage in and develop applied research skills and knowledge with the support of experienced social work researchers
Be taught by qualified social workers with extensive experience, including NHS team managers and specialist child and family social workers

Insight into current issues

Royal Holloway graduates work in local authorities, voluntary and third sector organisations nationally and internationally. Many students are employed through their second placement.

You’ll stand out with your knowledge of theory, social justice, ethics and applied research-informed skills. Hearing about our latest research will also give you insight into crucial areas like equalities, collaborative practice and sustainability in social care.

We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Course structure

Core Modules

Year 1

This module supports learning and demonstration of key knowledge and skills for social work practice. It initially prepares students for entering practice settings through the Readiness for Direct Practice content. An understanding of the practical application of core themes integral to social work practice will be developed, including professionalism, service user & carer perspectives, ethics and social work values, communication skills and reflective practice. The centrality of people with lived experience is emphasised alongside the development of a professional identity in line with the Professional Capability Framework (PCF), SWE Standards of Education and Training, and Knowledge and Skills Statements for both adults and child and families’ practice.
On this module you will learn how to use social work theory and methods when practising critically and ethically with service users and carers from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings. This module supports your learning and demonstration of key knowledge and skills for social work practice and you will develop understanding of the practical application of core themes integral to social work practice including: professionalism, service user & carer perspectives, ethics and social work values, communication skills and reflective practice. Core skills teaching include developing communication, group work and critical reflection skills, as well as a grounding in social work values, anti-oppressive practice, safeguarding, assessment and use of supervision.
This module aims to equip you with critical perspectives on human growth and development across the life course. You will be introduced to a range of theories which enable you to critically explore human development and life experiences taking into account the impact of the environment, contextual and structural factors. You will be introduced to an adapted version of the Tavistock model of child observation, providing opportunities for observational learning through undertaking child observations and seminar groups. You will be encouraged to develop your reflective and analytic skills to evaluate and apply theories and observational skills to social work practice across the lifespan.
This module aims to introduce students to key law and policy that social work students will need to know and be able to use in their practice. Specifically, the module will prepare students to be able to apply key legislation and policy in relation to social work practice with children and families, adults with care and support needs and people with mental health problems. Students will gain an awareness of the court systems, both civil and criminal, and the legal basis for the provision of social care services. The module will support students in developing an understanding of the role of social policy and how it influences social work practice, as well as helping students understand how inequalities impact welfare arrangements and the role social workers should have in addressing disadvantages within our society.

Year 2

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of critical social work and the social and structural contexts of social work practice. Drawing on lectures on power, rights and voice, you will assess how you can take account of these issues in social work practice, before considering intersectionality across characteristics including poverty, gender, race, sexuality, disability and others. Critical reflection seminars will help to consider how placement experiences can be understood using the lens of critical social work and as a result there is an applied focus in this module.
You will undertake a mandatory 100-day placement and taught content will be delivered through workshops and problem-based learning seminars. The taught content will provide you with an understanding of social work with different groups of people and across different settings. This will involve looking at core skills such as assessment, decision-making, working with risk and multi-disciplinary work and how these are applied differently when working with different groups and in different settings. There will be a focus on professionalism and leadership through problem-based learning seminars and a focus on employability.
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the debates underpinning the process of conducting research and the generation of knowledge in social work. You will discover a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the module will enable you to plan our Dissertation and develop critical and analytical reading and writing skills.

All modules are core

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including essays, case studies, examinations, presentations and a dissertation.

30 days on social work skills are integrated across the two-year programme at which attendance is mandatory.

Students are required to successfully complete one 70-day and one 100-day practice-learning placement. Practice learning is assessed by experienced practice educators and the production of a portfolio on completion of placement.

Entry requirements

2:2

UK Lower Second Class Honours degree (2:2) or overseas equivalent.

Preference will be given to applicants with a wide range of relevant experience and a grade 2:2 or above degree classification and overseas applicants must have an equivalent level of experience.

A minimum of 6 months full time or 12 months part-time relevant experience working with vulnerable adults or children is required at the point of application.

As part of the application, references supporting the application should be related the work experience, however we may ask for a professional or wokr reference if a suitable reference could not be provided.

If successful at interview, all applicants will be aksed to complete a self-declaration form (declaration of criminial convictions) before enrolling onto the course.

International & EU requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6 in Writing and minimum of 5.5 in each subscore
Pearson Test of English: 67 with 61 in writing (no other subscore lower than 54)
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE IV.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 19
Duolingo: 120 overall, 115 in Literacy, 115 in Production and no sub-score below 100..

Your future career

We will prepare you for a career in a range of social work settings. Once you are qualified as a social worker, you will be able to apply for registration with Social Work England You will also have the option of continuing your academic development through a range of taught post-qualifying programmes and research opportunities within the department. The MSc course also equips you with the subject knowledge and a solid foundation for continued PhD studies.

MSc Social Work graduates from Royal Holloway are actively sought after and recruited by our partner agencies and a wide range of social work employers in diverse and challenging settings.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £10,100

EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £21,500

Other essential costs***: You will need to travel to and from placements and may wish to apply for an NHS bursary to help cover transport costs.

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students starting their course on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding.

** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

The fee information above is for indicative purposes only.