Social Work, Master of MSW Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Social Work Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time Master of Social Work | 2 years | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School School of Social and Political Science College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study location Central Area Accreditation Available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme Social Work research at Edinburgh has a permanent legacy across the world and has had significant influence in legislation and policy-making. The Master of Social Work (MSW)/Diploma in Social Work is a postgraduate qualification for anyone wishing to practise as a qualified social worker. Students come from all over the world to this programme, and go on to practise in diverse settings in social work practice, training, research, as well as in the government, public, private and voluntary sectors.You will gain a fundamental understanding of the theory and practice that underpins all work in the field, splitting your time between theoretical learning on campus and practical work in various learning environments.The University of Edinburgh is approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to deliver this programme, which complies with the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Training and facilitates students to meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SISWE). Students admitted to the programme must register with the SSSC as student social workers at the start of the programme.Our researchOur approach to social work is a critically constructive one. Social work is concerned with ‘the social’ and with social explanations for problems faced by individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. C. Wright Mills, writing in 1959, made an important distinction between ‘personal troubles’ and ‘public issues’, arguing that problems we often think of as personal (for example, unemployment or criminalisation) are public issues which are encountered in the private sphere. Social work is about understanding and helping to address individual problems in their wider social contexts, locating the ways in which the public and the private spheres interact.The research areas of staff members within the team include:children’s rightschildren and young people with experience of state carecriminal justice systems and practices and social workfamily and Parental rightsrefugees and asylum seekersmental health and social workviolence against childrenviolence against womenwelfare systems and practices Programme benefits The University of Edinburgh has provided training for social workers since 1918Our Social Work department is ranked 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2025)93% of our impact case studies are recognised as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2021)100% of our research environment is assessed as ‘world leading’ (REF 2021) Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time Master of Social Work (2 years) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme. Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study SSSC Bursary for Scottish StudentsThe Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) administers postgraduate bursaries for students studying full-time postgraduate social work courses in Scotland. Funding is reviewed annually but for 2024/25 included an annual contribution of £5,000 towards tuition fees and a maintenance grant.Students must be nominated by their university for each year of the course. Nomination is attached to the university as well as to the student. Funding is limited and subject to a quota.The University will send lists of nominated students to the SSSC. For September intake this is during summer. Those students will be invited to apply. Nomination does not guarantee eligibility for funding. Students will be assessed for residence eligibility, previous funding received and, if eligible, entitlement.Please contact the Bursaries team at bursaries@sssc.uk.com for further information.NHS England Social Work BursaryAdditionally, there are a number of NHS Social Work bursaries for those students who are currently domiciled in England. NHS England Social Work Bursary Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, is preferred. Applicants holding or predicted less than a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) with additional qualifications and/or substantial relevant experience may also be considered.You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of social work and a sound motivation to train as a social worker through a period of paid or voluntary work in a social care/social work settings or any settings that allowed you to work with people in need. You will normally have at least six months of work experience at the time of applying.We may also consider your application if you have other voluntary or work experience and can demonstrate an ability to transfer your learning and experience, and to manage complex relationships in personal or work contexts. You must be able to demonstrate this in your personal statement. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study You will study over two years, with periods of practice learning in both years.You will complete six courses in your first year and three in your second year, including your dissertation.The Masters dissertation is submitted at the end of the final year but is worked on throughout the programme, and gives students an opportunity to explore a subject of their own choice in depth.You may need to complete a top-up mathematics course while on programme in order to satisfy Scottish Social Services Council registration requirements. This will be required unless:you have achieved at least SQA National 5 Mathematics at grade C, GCSE Mathematics at grade C or 4, or equivalent oryour undergraduate degree included sufficient numerical content, such as a statistics course Compulsory courses Year 1 coursesSocial Work in CommunitiesSocial Work with Individuals and FamiliesWorking with Self and Others: Skills, Theories & MethodsDoing Social Work ResearchUnderstanding Care and Control in Social WorkProfessional Social Work Practice 1Year 2 coursesWorking with Risk, Trust and Complexity in Social WorkProfessional Social Work Practice 2MSW Dissertation Placements You have periods of practice learning in both Year 1 (full time for 80 days) and Year 2 (full time for 100 days).Placements are an integral part of the programme, during which you will be attached to a social work practice setting and will be under the supervision of a practice educator.You will also have periods to return to the University and will be provided with regular support, including a member of staff visiting you while on placement.The majority of our placements are in the East of Scotland. However, we have also supported students to undertake social work placements in other areas of Scotland, England and, sometimes, in international locations as well.Any international placement is conditional to students securing a visa to the respective country, which is independent of the University of Edinburgh placement arrangement process.The department has a partnership agreement in place with Rajagiri College of Social Sciences in Kerala, India allowing us to organise a regular annual placement with them.Rajagiri College of Social Sciences in Kerala, India Rachel talks about the Social Work placement in Rajagiri, India Teaching and assessment Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Studying Social Work in Scotland - external resourceA new inter-university resource site has been produced as a collaboration between the Universities in Scotland which deliver programmes leading to a qualification as a social worker.The site contains lots of information for students who do not currently live in Scotland and will be coming here to study social work.Visit the Studying Social Work in Scotland websiteThis site includes information on:living in Scotlandsocial work in Scotlandstudying in Scotlandbecoming a social workerplacementsyour university Our academic staff The School of Social and Political Science brings together scholars from seven academic subject areas and 11 research centres, with subjects ranging from Politics and International Relations to Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. The Dean and Head of the School of Social and Political Science, Professor John Devaney, is Centenary Chair of Social Work.Staff teaching on the MSW/Diploma in Social Work have a range of previous practice experience as well as scholarship and research expertise on, or relating to, social work practice and policy. The range of specialist knowledge within the team includes expertise on all the major fields of current social work practice:children and familiescriminal justicemental healtholder adultsWe regularly involve people with lived experience, outside agencies and practitioners in the delivery of the curriculum to ensure it is at the cutting-edge of contemporary practice developments, issues and debates.Find out more about our team and their research interests Where you will study Study location Social Work is based at the prestigious School of Social and Political Science, located at George Square. Careers and further study Accreditation Successful completion of our MSW programme qualifies you to practise as a social worker.Newly qualified social workers in Scotland Career opportunities Many of our MSW graduates go on to work across a range of diverse settings, including:social work practicetrainingresearchgovernmentin the public, private and voluntary sectorsYou will also develop a range of highly transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.Recognition of qualificationThe MSW qualification is recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and the corresponding regulators of social work in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and those who successfully complete the programme are eligible for registration as a social worker.The programme, approved by the Scottish Social Services Council, complies with the Scottish Requirements for Social Work Training and enables you to meet the Standards in Social Work Education.Scottish Social Services CouncilIt is also recognised as a professional qualification in social work across the world, including the United States and Canada, following accreditation with the in-country regulatory authorities.For information about using your MSW degree in the USA and Canada please see:Social work in the USASocial work in Canada Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply Although this is a postgraduate programme, it is processed by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.You apply to this programme through UCAS.UCAS: How do I applyFor more information please contact the CAHSS UG Admissions office.Contact the central admissions team When to apply The equal consideration application deadline is 14 January 2026. Application fee To send your application through UCAS, you will need to pay an application fee.This fee is £28.95 for 2026 entry. Apply Apply for this programme on the UCAS website: Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Postgraduate Admissions TeamGraduate School of Social & Political ScienceChrystal Macmillan Building15A George SquareCentral CampusEdinburghEH8 9LD futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 650 4086 Academic contact Dr Robin Sen Programme Director School of Social and Political Science College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences University of Edinburgh Contact details Email: rsen@ed.ac.uk
