Getting Started Social Work Degree

Applying for the social work degree

Before you make your application, you will need to research. Find out more about your preferred universities, colleges and courses from their websites or by reading their prospectuses.

The first thing you need to do is to check the entry requirements of individual universities. Each university sets its own entry requirements and may specify particular subjects, grades, qualifications and experience. As a guide, most universities will ask for 5 GCSE subjects at grades A* - C, including English and maths and a minimum of 2 (usually 3) A levels. Equivalent vocational qualifications may be accepted.  If you are a mature student, the university may accept a QAA approved Access course or in some cases Open University study instead of traditional qualifications.  Some universities may be willing to accept you if you have been working in social care and have achieved NVQ qualifications at levels 3 or 4.

All universities will expect applicants to have had a certain amount of relevant experience and you will be expected to demonstrate that you understand what social work involves. Having experience will allow you to find out about opportunities and to think about your reasons for choosing social work as a career. It will also enable you to gain an understanding of social work practice and an awareness of the personal qualities required. Your experience may include voluntary work, paid work or life experience but must be sufficient to demonstrate your interest and commitment to a career in social work.

Universities are required to make sure that students are fully prepared and suitable for their practice placements.  This preparation must include the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the experience of people who use care services and the opportunity to shadow an experienced social worker. If you are applying for the MA Social Work, the course is only two years and you will be going on your first placement very early on in the course, universities may therefore ask you to supply an authenticated testimonial from a social worker to the effect that you already meet the requirements concerning preparation for assessed practice. The university will give you guidance on what is required.

All college based courses including the postgraduate programmes, recruit through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) http://www.ucas.com/

If you are applying for an employment based course you should consult your employer.

For courses starting in Autumn 2010, you should apply through UCAS between 1 September 2009 and 15 January 2010. Outside these dates you should contact the university to see if they will consider your application. All applications for entry to courses offered at universities and colleges in the UK should be made online using the electronic system "Apply". Apply is a secure web-based application system. If you do not have access to a personal computer with an internet connection, you can find an online centre in your local area that offers these resources for free on  http://www.ukonlinecentres.com/consumer At these centres you will be able to access the UCAS website, set up your account, apply to the institutions of your choice and track your application progress.

The on-screen help text will guide you through the application. If you are still attending school or college, you will first need to obtain their buzzword - this will allow you to register in Apply. If you have left school or college, you will be able to register as an individual applicant.