Social Work BA(Hons): Entry requirements

Typical offer

Points: 280

Subjects:

• A-levels: General Studies not normally accepted (BBC or A*A*)
• BTEC National Diploma: Health and Social Care (or equivalent in relevant subject area). Distinction, Merit, Merit.
• Access courses: Access Diploma with 45 level 3 credits and 15 level 2 credits of which 30 of the level 3 credits should be at Merit
• Key Skills: points not normally accepted in tariff
• Plus GCSE (A–C): five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

Non-native speakers who do not have the equivalent of GCSE English at grade C (eg Key Skills Level 2 Literacy) require an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

An employment-based route is also available for students working in a social care setting who are being sponsored by their employer – please apply direct to Kingston University.

Practical experience

All applicants to the course must have demonstrable practical experience, with allowance made for age. Experience may:

• be acquired either through employment or working as a volunteer; and
• include a wide range of activities within human services (applicants will be assessed on their ability to learn from this experience and relate it to the social work role).

Experience as a service user or personal carer is considered relevant and valuable, but would not, by itself, be considered sufficient for entry on the course.

The social work profession can be difficult and challenging work so it also requires:

• maturity and a high level of personal commitment;
• open-mindedness and a willingness to examine and even change your own attitudes and possible prejudices; and
• patience, determination and both physical and emotional resilience.

Other entry routes - contact admissions tutor

• Mature applicants studying an Access to HE or Foundation programme are welcome and form a substantial part of the student body. For this group, English and Mathematics are required at Key Skills Level 2 or equivalent (eg GCSE A–C, equivalent Access course credits or by passing our own test). For access diploma candidates, a full diploma, inclusive of 45 level 3 credits with 21 at merit level, is required.
• International applicants with relevant experience or equivalent qualifications are welcomed.
• All applicants must have demonstrable practical experience. Appropriate allowance is made to take account of the age of applicants

Selection process

Our selection process includes an interview, written exercise and, for candidates without certificated learning at the required level, a maths test. All social work students must be suitable for registration on the General Social Care Council's Social Care Register. The process for accessing suitability includes a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure, satisfactory previous employment disciplinary record and an occupational health disclosure.  All social work students are required to comply with the GSCC's Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with special conditions in all elements. Please make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we'll consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements may be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from one of the recognised Majority English Speaking Countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.