Entry Requirements Information

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have at least an upper second class honours degree.

GCSE English Language at Grade 4 or above (Grade C for GCSEs taken before 2017) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

Applicants with a lower second class (2:2) will be considered on an individual basis depending on their experience. Applicants should have at least 3 years relevant experience having worked in social care, community and third sector organisations supporting individuals , families and communities. Ideally the experience should involve leadership or mentoring within the workplace. Examples of relevant experience would include working as a Family Support Worker with case holding responsibility in a Local Authority or working as a senior support worker within a third sector organisation e.g. a homelessness project.

Additional information about the application process and frequently asked questions can be found in the course guidance booklet.

All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements . Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 7.0 with no skill below 6.5. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages .

Interview Required

We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview.

Interview sessions will be held online and will involve an individual interview, a written assessment and a group work exercise. Applicants will be required to provide photographic ID (Passport, Driving Licence) and original certificates for all qualifications awarded to date. If you do not possess your original certificates, we recommend making arrangements to obtain copies in preparation should you be invited to a selection day.

IELTS

Selection Criteria

We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.

You would normally need relevant social care experience and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Social Work profession. You will need to relate your experience to the contemporary setting in which Social Workers operate. You will also need to provide a social care reference.

If you are successful at this stage will you be invited to an interview day.

References:

All applications should be supported by a second reference in addition to that supplied on your UCAS form. You will normally be required to submit an academic and a social care reference.

DBS Check

Satisfactory enhanced criminal history checks will be required by all applicants prior to acceptance on the course, (processed through the University only). The University is unable to accept DBS checks obtained through another institution (this includes those registered with the DBS Update Service); the checks undertaken by the University are appropriate to the course of study and relevant regulated activity placements. For important information on the UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check requirements please refer to the Guidance on DBS and Additional Checks.

Self Declaration Check

You will be asked to complete this online form as part of the DBS check process. You will be asked to identify on the self-declaration form if you have any cautions/convictions that would not be filtered out on a DBS certificate. Please refer to the following website for guidance on filtering. The form will also ask if you have resided outside of the UK after the age of 16, to establish if an Overseas Police Record check may be required.

Overseas Police Checks/Letter of Good Conduct

The DBS in the UK is currently not able to conduct overseas criminal record checks. International applicants; those without British Citizenship and British Citizens with a significant period of overseas residency of 12 months or more after the age of 16; therefore, require a criminal records check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country(ies) prior to entry on to the course. A UK DBS check will also be required prior to enrolment; the DBS team will send you guidance on how to apply following your offer of a place. The application process and timeframes for Overseas Police checks can differ from country to country and so it is recommended that you start the process as soon as possible after you have been made a conditional/Unconditional offer to ensure you have enough lead in time to obtain the check prior to enrolment. For some countries, an individual can only apply in person and so it is preferable for those applicants still resident in the relevant country, to apply before entering the UK.

Health Check

For certain Professional Body courses, Occupational Health checks are also part of the entry requirements. Applicants will be asked to complete an on-line Health Questionnaire and sent guidance and links on how to complete this following your offer of a place.