How Manchester can help you develop your social work skills and knowledge.
The University of Manchester has a global reputation for excellence in biological, medical and health sciences.
Choose social work at Manchester and learn in a friendly, multicultural city that has been voted the UK’s Most Liveable City (The Economist, 2019) and the 3rd Best City in the World (TimeOut, 2021).
Choose Manchester
Discover excellence at The University of Manchester.
- Times Higher University Impact Ratings (2024) rated the University as first in the UK and second in the world.
- The University of Manchester is the most targeted UK university by graduate employers (The Graduate Market 2022).
- The University of Manchester is 1st in the UK and Europe, and 2nd globally for social and environmental impact (THE University Impact Rankings 2023).
- Join a community of global innovators and pioneers whose achievements have helped shape the modern world – a university where 25 Nobel Prize winners have worked or studied.
- International students play a huge part at The University of Manchester – our student population hails from 170 countries.
Studying social work as an international student
“I was drawn by Manchester’s reputation and the unique opportunities the course offers. Little did I know that this experience would extend far beyond the classroom and into a city brimming with history, culture and wonderful people.”
Nabeeha, MA Social Work student from Oman
Read Nabeeha's blog post My journey as an international MA Social Work student at Manchester.
What to expect on your MA
A friendly and supportive environment
Our course is ever evolving. It incorporates input from experienced teaching staff, service users and practising social workers. You’ll also benefit from small classes for a more intimate and in-depth learning experience.
Teaching informed by research
You’ll study on a social work course founded on good research evidence for practice. You’ll learn from active researchers on our teaching team, with opportunities to engage with contemporary research and publications by our staff.
Quality placements
Recent placement opportunities for students have included working with Revive UK, an independent community project that provides free support to refugees and people seeking asylum, and New Beginnings, which works closely with parents whose children are at risk of being removed into care.
Placement organisations benefit greatly from our students' impact on delivering the work of the organisation. Many students continue to volunteer for the organisations and/or are offered sessional work following their placement.
A multicultural student population
The University is home to students from 160 different countries, making Manchester a truly multinational city to live, study and work in. We have an active International Society, where you can socialise with other students from around the world and take trips to explore the UK.
A lecturer's perspective
“My research relates to inequality and social work education, and how engagement with digital technology has changed social workers' practice. I’m working closely with social work academics in Spain and Chile to explore innovations in social work practice and social work education.
"I’ve previously worked in partnership with social work academics in Norway to explore the experiences of racially minoritised social work students, and the everyday ways race and racism operate in social work education. Working globally allows me to bring new experiences and discoveries to our students at Manchester.”
Dharman Jeyasingham, MA Social Work lecturer
Support for international students
Ensuring our international students get the support they need is important to us.
We’ll help you at all stages, from before you apply to when you arrive – and you’ll be supported at all times while you’re here.
Anjali’s Manchester experience
Anjali shares her thoughts on what it was like to study social work at Manchester.
From our students
An American perspective on social work at Manchester
Jack talks about his experience of the Social Work MA as an international student.
Read Jack's blog post MA Social Work: An International Perspective.
From Hong Kong to Manchester
MA student Angela talks about why she chose Manchester and what she thinks of the course so far.
Read Angela's blog post Living and learning: my MA Social Work Experience at Manchester.
Why I was inspired to study social work
Eric, an MA graduate from Ghana, talks about his motivations for studying social work at Manchester.
International graduates
Your post-degree options.
If you’re looking to work in the UK after the MA, the Graduate visa allows international students who successfully complete their degree to work or look for work in the UK for up to two years after an undergraduate or master’s course.
If you choose to undertake a PhD, the visa allows you to stay and work for up to three years after your programme.
How the MA has benefited my career
Thomas talks about how the MA in Social Work prepared him for his job as a social worker specialising in child protection.
Panashe’s social work journey
Panashe talks about why she decided to study social work, and her post-MA plans.
Next steps
How to apply
Learn more about the MA in Social Work and how to apply by visiting the course page.