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Social Work and Applied Social Studies

Entry requirements

Personal Statement

The personal statement is critical in informing the Admissions Team that you have personal, volunteering and/or paid employment experience that is relevant to social work or social care and that you are capable of studying social work at degree level. You should reflect on what you have learnt from these experiences and show us how you intend to apply this knowledge to your future study. You will need to demonstrate that you can express yourself fluently and articulately and that you are properly equipped to be successful on an academic programme in higher education. Do make sure that you check for grammar and spelling errors before you submit your form.  

A Levels

Typical Offer: ABB-BBB

  • in exceptional circumstances we may make a slightly lower offer.

Essential

  • GCSE English is required at grade C or above and Mathematics is preferred at grade C or above.
  • languages which are intended for non-native speakers are not normally acceptable when taken by native speakers of that language

Access to HE Diploma

Each application is treated on its merits, but as a guide we would expect a student to pass the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 36 credits achieved from units awarded at Merit or Distinction, including at least 24 credits achieved from units awarded at Distinction. Applicants must also achieve GCSE equivalence in English and maths, if equivalent qualifications have not already been achieved.

Applicants may be invited to attend an interview.

BTEC

Typical offer: BTEC qualifications in all subjects will be considered with grades of DDM in the Extended Diploma.

Essential

GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and English at grade C or above. 

CACHE Diploma

CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Grade A

GCSE (or equivalent) English at grade C or above is essential and GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above is preferred.

Cambridge Pre-U

Typical Offer: M2, M2, M2

Diplomas

We will consider all first 10 lines of the Advanced Diplomas at grade B where combined with the Additional and Specialist Learning below.

Principal Learning: grade B

Extended Project: grade B

Required Additional and Specialist Learning

Any subject at A level grade B or BTEC National Award at Distinction

The Extended Project should be a piece of written work such as a piece of applied research.

 Essential

GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and English at grade C or above 

Further requirements

Self declaration of a criminal record All interviewees will be expected to complete and sign a form which is a self-declaration of any criminal record or none. If you disclose a criminal record the Admissions Tutor will pass the information (anonymised) to representatives from our partner agencies who will make a judgment as to whether a person with such a record could be employed by them. The factors that partners take into account are the seriousness of the offence and the recency.  We will not be able to offer you a place on the course if you have disclosed a conviction that is unacceptable.

Work Experience We expect you to have sufficient experience in social work or a related field to demonstrate at interview that you have a realistic understanding of social work and the training requirements. If you are applying direct from school or college you may want to consider taking a 'gap' year as a means of obtaining appropriate experience before making your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) We will later require you to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS and to register with the HCPC as a social work student.  If a DBS check reveals undeclared convictions, even more minor ones, then our partner agencies may decide that they could not offer a job to you. Under these circumstances, any offer of a place would be withdrawn or your registration terminated. Please note, however, that a criminal record does not necessarily preclude an applicant being offered a place on the programme. Please contact us for further guidance if this matter is relevant to you.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 32-34 points

International Students

English Language Qualifications:

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency in order to study Social Work.  The minimum requirement is IELTS: grade 7.0 with no mark less than 7.0 in any of the elements. Applicants should submit their results by 31st July.

For a list of other English language qualifications we accept please go to the English Language Entry Requirements web page.

Scottish Highers

ABBBB at Higher level to include BB at Advanced Higher level. See A level entry for further details

 
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