The MA in International Social Work and Refugee Studies is a taught postgraduate programme for students who are already qualified in social work or who work with refugees or asylum seekers. Students study international social work, introduction to refugee studies or a similar module, research methods, and one other optional modules relevant to social work or refugee studies. Students undertake a research-based dissertation related to social work or refugee studies, based on their experience of at least one other country.

The distinctive feature of the MA in International Social Work and Refugee Studies is that it offers an opportunity for qualified social workers or people who work with refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world to share together in learning about Social Work and Refugee Studies across the globe.
Students are part of a multi-cultural peer group recruited from countries around the world as well as from the locality.
The course content is highly innovative in that it explores and analyses social change and professional responses in a globalised world and equips students for future local or international practice in their area of work.
The dissertation enables students to tailor their research to reflect their own interests and to select their own topic, with the emphasis being on learning from other countries and cultures.
The varied teaching, learning and assessment methods draw on student experience and are underpinned by principles of adult learning, individual responsibility and group support.

A good Hons degree in any discipline. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear commitment to refugee related work and issues.
A selection is made on the basis of a written application supported by two satisfactory references. Decisions will be based on evidence of the following:

• a professional qualification in social work or relevant field (note UK applicants must be qualified in social work – see below);
• an indication (e.g. through personal statement) that the applicant has relevant previous experience and that the course is appropriate to future work plans;
• evidence of ability to study at advanced level
• realistic plans for financial support, including during any study or project period abroad.

Note: This is an advanced course and not a conversion course. It is therefore not suitable for applicants without prior qualifications in social work or a related profession or for applicants wishing to gain a basic professional qualification in the UK.

UK applicants should also note that they must be qualified social workers in order to register for this programme as the term "social work" is protected by UK law. UK applicants who are refugee workers without social work qualifications may instead apply for the MA in Refugee Studies and Community Development.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students who apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The MA in International Social Work and Refugee Studies programme comprises two core modules ‘International Social Work’ and ‘Researching and Learning’, supplemented by two option modules which must relate to refugee studies. These are followed by a dissertation.
Students are expected to choose two options from a selection of modules that are appropriate to refugee studies. Normally students will be able to make a selection from two or three modules in the first semester relevant to refugee studies, with a similar choice in the second semester. Teaching on the compulsory ‘Researching and Learning’ module may be shared with other students on MA Programmes in the School.

Intake is in September, with a possible February start for students wishing to undertake the course part-time. The four taught modules are offered across Semesters A and B (that is, over one academic year for full-time students and over two years for part-time students). Students proceeding to the MA undertake a fifth module (the dissertation) in the third (or fifth) semester. The course for full-time students therefore extends beyond a calendar year although students from abroad may return to home countries for the third semester.

The MA in International Social Work and Refugee Studies programme makes use primarily of lectures and seminars in relation to the taught modules, as well as project group meetings in preparation for the dissertation module. Additionally students are expected to contribute significant time to self-directed learning as highlighted in the lectures, seminars and project group meetings. In some modules students are expected to contribute to individual or group class presentations; and all students proceeding to the MA are expected to undertake individual project work, normally outside the UK.

All modules are assessed, usually by a mixture of oral and written assignments with an emphasis on the latter. Written assignments may take the form of seminar papers, essays or reports, and project work in the final module is assessed through a dissertation. Assessment takes place at the end of each semester. Course work may include in-class tests but there are no examinations.

Although this programme does not carry a professional award (since it is assumed that all students already have a relevant qualification) there is an expectation that students will be able to draw on previous or current work experience in class presentations and written assignments as well as preparing students for career change or development.

Preparation for the final dissertation project commences in the Research and Learning module which is scheduled for Semester B when students begin the process of defining their selected research topic and approach. The data collection stage of project work is normally undertaken outside the UK and supported through e-mail contact with a UEL supervisor, as is the writing up stage of the dissertation. Projects should aim to investigate ‘real life issues’ in relevant policy and practice areas and previous examples have included: resettlement programmes for refugees in the Balkan region; evaluation of community responses to disability in Namibia; identification of good practice by NGOs in relation to rehabilitation of children who have been commercially sexually exploited; addressing the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Malta; attitudes to repatriation of Afghan refugees in England and Pakistan; changes in Dublin's children and families statutory social services.
The underlying principle is that UK social workers should undertake research abroad, whilst international students may if they wish undertake research in UK. Research must be international in its context and nature.

A qualification at Masters level is normally essential for people seeking employment in International welfare and humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations and major Non-Governmental Organisations. Successful completion of the MA in International Social Work and Refugee Studies programme has enabled previous students to take up a variety of posts in the London region or their country of origin. Examples of subsequent employment include: work in a UN resettlement programme; as a social worker with asylum seekers in the Netherlands; social work with unaccompanied young asylum seekers in a UK local authority children's services department; as a specialist social worker working with refugees in Malta. The award also lays the basis for progression to further research, which may be either agency based or through PhD study (full-time or part-time). Alternatively students may wish to use this Programme as the basis for moving on to a professional doctorate.

Support to students is provided initially through module leaders who are knowledgeable about their teaching areas, and who are able to monitor the input of students to classes as well as their progress in assessment. The Programme Leader provides more general tutorial support, and the emphasis is also placed on the role of the student group as being both a resource and providing peer support.
Research training is given in relevant selected methods and, given the nature of the course, significant use is made of e-mail communications and the Virtual Learning Environment (UEL Plus). Social Work at UEL has strong collaborative links with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust which has a national and international reputation in the field of children and families work and mental health, and there is a joint Social Work Research Centre which encourages staff and postgraduate students to have their research published and disseminated. A number of former students on this programme have had their dissertations written up as articles in refereed journals, and staff are delighted to assist with this.

Overseas Experience

• opportunity to gain experience of conducting research in another country
• opportunity to share experience with students from other countries

Experience of international agencies or UK social work agencies

• for UK students there is an opportunity to learn first-hand of the work of international agencies or social work organisations in another country
• for international students there will be opportunities to learn first-hand about social work in the UK

potential for dissertations to be written up for publication.