Social Worker MA course...

rainbowdust33 · 17 August 2010 at 6:19PM

Hello was wondering if anyone could help me with some advice.

I'm thinking of doing a masters course to become a social worker. I already have a degree in sociology, I graduated 3 years ago (I am 25), so have read that rather than do the postgraduate 3 year course, I should qualify for the masters 2 year course.

I was wondering if anyone could advise me on bursaries/course fees/studying hours/placements (I'm wondering about finances, and how I would work around the studying hours). I have just started researching this and have found a university quite local to me where I could do this course, but I would love to speak to someone who has done, or is taking the course themselves.

Also, if I wanted to do this, would I be able to apply through clearning to start this year, or would I have to wait and apply for next year now??

Thanks

alwaysonthego_2 · 17 August 2010 at 7:45PM

I am starting my MA in SW in September and I got a bursary of £3000 which was not dependant on income etc and another £3000 maintainance grant which is dependant on income. I know my course is full on and it would be difficult to work around it as you do not get holidays like the UG degree course.

daaave · 17 August 2010 at 11:37PM

rainbowdust33 wrote: »

Hello was wondering if anyone could help me with some advice.

I'm thinking of doing a masters course to become a social worker. I already have a degree in sociology, I graduated 3 years ago (I am 25), so have read that rather than do the postgraduate 3 year course, I should qualify for the masters 2 year course.

I was wondering if anyone could advise me on bursaries/course fees/studying hours/placements (I'm wondering about finances, and how I would work around the studying hours). I have just started researching this and have found a university quite local to me where I could do this course, but I would love to speak to someone who has done, or is taking the course themselves.

Also, if I wanted to do this, would I be able to apply through clearning to start this year, or would I have to wait and apply for next year now??

Thanks

When I temped for my local council, there was a specific person in the social work department whose job it was to advise prospective social work students and promote social work as a career. She knew everything about placements/bursaries/courses etc (I had to sit opposite her every day...)

Sounds like you need to find that particular person in your local council to talk through these issues. If you ring them up, ask for the social work / learning and development department.

Social workers love to give advice

Moneytroubles_2 · 18 August 2010 at 12:29AM

Hiya, I am studying social work and going into my second year next month

I start placement when I go back and can't wait

last year I wasnt entitled to funding as I had studied for two years when I was 18 and each student is only entitled to four years worth of funding so as I had already had two years I had to fend for myself, however my 2nd and 3rd year of this course will be funded! I am getting a full tution fee loan, and then a student loan of around 6 grand plus my bursary, which I am unsure of the amount as I still need to send my application form off for it - whoops! Anyway good luck with the course, i hope you love it! xx

alwaysonthego_2 · 18 August 2010 at 8:33AM

Moneytroubles wrote: »

Hiya, I am studying social work and going into my second year next month I start placement when I go back and can't wait last year I wasnt entitled to funding as I had studied for two years when I was 18 and each student is only entitled to four years worth of funding so as I had already had two years I had to fend for myself, however my 2nd and 3rd year of this course will be funded! I am getting a full tution fee loan, and then a student loan of around 6 grand plus my bursary, which I am unsure of the amount as I still need to send my application form off for it - whoops! Anyway good luck with the course, i hope you love it! xx

A BA is not funded the same as a MA.

For a MA you only get bursaries, you are not entitled to funding via SLC because they will have already used their funding up with their UG degree and PG courses are not usually funded.

nimbo · 18 August 2010 at 11:17AM

where ia ma for the degree theer si a consensus that there will be no social work available through clearing as you will have had to be previousle interviewed, and getting onto the MA is really hard work. as it's not what you know it's who you know....

different universities have different rules though, and it might be worth calling....

also you will need to have a strong application, and have done some wotk or voluntary work that will have given you a feel for it...

good luck.

alwaysonthego_2 · 18 August 2010 at 12:50PM

nimbo wrote: »

and getting onto the MA is really hard work. as it's not what you know it's who you know....

Not true, I did not get any help getting on the course, I managed to get a place through my own hard work. In fact after my interview they phoned me an hour later to let me know that they were impressed with my interview and to offer me a place. If you show that you have done your research and have got good work experience then you have a good chance.

rainbowdust33 · 18 August 2010 at 6:32PM

Thanks for your posts everyone.

I have contacted the university that I am interested doing the course through, am just waiting for a reply.

To the people doing the MA, can I ask how you get by financially? It sounds like whilst studying at uni, it would be easy to keep a part time job going as its only 12 hours a week at uni (obviously I know you need to study in your own time too, but you could fit work in around it) but when doing your placements, how do you survive??

This is my main worry!!

Thanks

nimbo · 19 August 2010 at 11:51AM

doing either the MA or degree you have to do 200 days 'in the office' as it were, so just fitting those in is really hard graft.

there are bursaries for the MA, but i don't know about loans....

a friend of mine chose to do his part time while working to fund himself it took 5 years.

you could probably work at one of thises chat lines, but this may raise issues about the ethics of it whilst training to be a SW...

[Deleted User] · 19 August 2010 at 4:29PM

I have bought my plans to do the MA forward to sept 2011 due to how difficult I am finding it getting a job. I have previously done some volunteer work counselling young people. Only issue is that I ended up spending 6 years doing my degree. I went on the foundation year entry to my degree which I had to repeat due to personal problems. Then in my final year was allowed to defer my dissertation for a year due to issues with depression. I am much better now but think this will affect my chances of getting in.

tiny_courageous · 19 August 2010 at 7:48PM

I did the MA social work a few years ago, worked every weekend (approx 20 hours) which was a hard slog but did pay the bills and fitted in well around placements.
If I remember rightly tuition fees were paid and we were given a bursary and means tested grant.

Social Worker MA course...

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