Momoh
MA Social Work
Momoh chose Bradford to study MA Social Work, following a life-changing move from Nigeria to pursue his career ambitions to be a qualified social worker.
Now in his final year of the two-year postgraduate course, he’s proved to be a truly outstanding student.
This is his story…
A helping hand
“I've always wanted to help people.”
"When I left school in 2010, I started volunteering in Nigeria, working with people that had HIV. I worked with children, helping them to get onto out-of-school programmes and teaching them how to be confident in class.
"A few years later, a friend who had an experience in the western world suggested that I should think about a career in social work. I didn’t know what social work was, but I googled it, and it ticked many boxes for me – I liked advocacy, I had good communication skills, empathy, it kind of linked to my degree in philosophy, and it was all about helping people. I thought maybe I’ll study it one day, but at the time, I was working in a telecoms company and then at a marketing company as a customer relations coordinator, and I was happy making money alongside volunteering. Until 2020, when the Covid pandemic happened.
"I told my family about my career plan to be a social worker, and we worked through how to make it happen."
Bradford was the only place I wanted to do my MA.
A diverse city
"My family live in Manchester, so Bradford was the choice for me as it’s only an hour away and the Social Work postgraduate course has such an excellent reputation that it stood out from others. I knew I could study the best course at a top university with my family nearby.
"Bradford has a diverse population which appealed to me, and I was interested in everything I read about the School. I applied and got through a series of interviews, and when I visited and met the academic team, they just sold it to me. They showed me the true character of the course and gave me the feeling that I could be beyond a student here.
"I got my visa sorted, and here we are today."
Real-world learning
“I joined this course because of inequality in the system. I want to support people who need it in society.”
"The best thing about the course is the tutoring team. They are invested in you and your development; they identify your strengths and weaknesses and know how to work with your skills. I’ve also really valued the quality of placements I’ve done as part of my course here at the University of Bradford, working as a student social worker in different practices and settings around Bradford. You can’t beat that learning.
"I’ve had so much support from the University, from friends I’ve met on the course and from the UBU. I’m a course representative and student ambassador for the University because I’m passionate about helping other students have the best experience they can here."
Achieving success
“I’ve engaged a lot in extra-curricular activities.”
"As a member of the Social Justice Society, I had the opportunity to volunteer to be a part of EB Connect, an initiative of the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity. It gave me an insight into some of the programmes around Equality, Diversity & Inclusion on campus, and in Bradford, which drove me to be active in promoting EDI on campus. This led me to win the Vice Chancellors’ Outstanding Achiever award for my contribution to EDI on campus.
"I was voted the Black & Minority Ethnic Officer by University students. Some of the things I achieved in this role were supporting people who struggled with mental health during the pandemic, and helping mentor international students who were finding it difficult being away from home.
"I enjoy supporting people. It’s all part of my desire to help individuals and families in the community."
A rewarding career
“I’ve now got a job at Bradford Council as a full-time newly qualified social worker.”
"I work with the learning disability duty team in addition to my allocated cases. Whilst on duty, I am expected to pick up emergency cases in the learning disability team, and screen and support people with learning disabilities, everything from sorting housing for them, to organising work, transport, or benefits for them.
"I love what I do; I meet outstanding people, and no two days are the same. I enjoy the communication skills required for the role and how fast-paced it is. Social work is indeed hard work, but it’s undoubtedly rewarding if you are passionate about it."
National recognition
“I’ve just been nominated for a national Student Social Worker of the Year Award.”
"I’m excited and overwhelmed to have been nominated alongside five other entries for a national award as prestigious as Student Social Worker of the Year. It’s recognition of the past two years of my life, and motivation for other students on the course to know that their hard work is not going unnoticed. They should strive to enjoy the degree whilst adding value to the University and community. It’s a real honour to represent Bradford."
Be inspired
“Don’t just be a student, be an outstanding student!”
"My advice to anyone considering an MA in Social Work at Bradford is just to grab it with both hands. Take all the opportunities available at this university, your journey begins here. In the university, we are a family and Team Bradford, alongside the Bradford Social Work Teaching Partnership, will support you to harness your skills and achieve everything you desire."
