Master of Arts in Social Work [Taught and Research (Mainly by Research)]

Course Title

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

a Bachelor degree in Social Work with at least Second Class (Honours) or equivalent and a minimum of two years of social work practice or
successful completion of the M.A. in Social Work preparatory programme.

Requires the submission of a Police Certificate of Conduct.

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Applications for our February and October intakes have been officially open since the third week in November. You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The Master of Arts in Social Work (mainly by research) is a programme which will provide social workers with a more flexible way of furthering their studies. It will provide a small number of core taught study-units which will expose you to research knowledge and skills and to a limited number of areas related to your practice and research interests. It will then give you the opportunity to undertake a meaningful piece of research with appropriate academic guidance. In this way, you will be part of a cohort of social workers who will have the opportunity to integrate an academic component into your practice, enhancing your professional development and, consequently, your chances of career progression.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 10 ECTS credits from the list of elective study-units as listed here


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SWP5146	Advanced Research Methods for Social Work and Social Policy	10 ECTS
SWP5237	Practice Seminars	10 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SWP5000*	Dissertation	60 ECTS
* Work on the dissertation is expected to start in Semester 1 of academic year 2025-26 and continue up to the end of Semester 2 of academic year 2026-27.

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a critical understanding of systematic inquiry, the role of social work research and its relationship to social work theory and practice.
Explain the key notions underpinning social work practice.
Identify and critically analyse the use and quality of research in social work practice, including the social policy and organisational contexts within which social work is practiced.
Demonstrate a capacity for empirical inquiry and critical thinking, and a commitment to your use for service and organisational improvement.
Engage with service users when undertaking research.
Discuss, evaluate and critically appraise and synthesise primary and secondary social work research, and a capacity to be informed by social work research.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a critical understanding of systematic inquiry, the role of social work research and its relationship to social work theory and practice;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theoretical issues that determine different social work research strategies, designs and methods;
Demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity to the ethics of social work research, and ability to design and implement a study that fully respects all ethical principles of social work research;
Identify and critically analyse the use and quality of research in social work practice, including the social policy and organisational contexts within which social work is practiced;
Demonstrate awareness of the social context of social work research and the social and political influences that affect the process of social work research;
Demonstrate an awareness of minority, disability, and gender issues, particularly in research, and an understanding of how to develop user involvement research practices;
Explain the key notions underpinning social work practice;
Critically analyse how these core themes contribute to effective social work practice through an analysis of your practice;
Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the particular issue identified for their your study;
Have a wider knowledge of theory surrounding the issue;
Demonstrate an understanding of the main concepts emerging from the study.

Skills

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate capacity for empirical inquiry and critical thinking, and a commitment to your use for service and organizational improvement;
Use different research designs and related methodologies in order to apply them to social work practice situations;
Discuss, evaluate and critically appraise and synthesise primary and secondary social work research, and a capacity to be informed by social work research;
Critically reflect on practice;
Develop an appropriate research strategy, design and method to answer practice-based research questions;
Engage with service users when undertaking research;
Engage in a critical analysis of the themes underlying social work theory and practice;
Debate issues that arise in practice drawing both on the practitionersҠcontribution and your own practice experiences;
Analyse your application of knowledge of some of the key themes in your practice;
Apply appropriate research methods to the study undertaken;
Carry out a research study and write-up of the findings according to the Universityҳ guidelines.

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: NIL

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a graduate, the course will allow you to advance in the social work career ladder, and opens the way to further study, particularly through PhD studies.

Every effort has been made to provide information that is current and accurate. However, as the content is being constantly updated, users are advised to verify the details contained in these web pages with the relevant University office or authority before making decisions based on the published information.

https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/pmaswkpet0-2024-5-o/