Social worker : Entry requirements

Social work is a graduate profession and you will need either an honours or postgraduate degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) .

Approved postgraduate courses are usually full time and last two years, although there are some part-time courses available. See the GSCC website for a list of courses.

A minimum 2:2 honours degree is often needed for entry to the postgraduate professional training. If your degree is not in a relevant subject, for example social sciences, education, psychology or nursing, substantial work experience in a relevant area can increase your chances of being considered for training.

Entry for HND/foundation degree holders is normally via the undergraduate degree in social work. The following subjects may improve your chances or allow some exemptions:

• politics/government/public administration;
• legal studies;
• social sciences;
• social care.

Most undergraduate degrees are full-time courses lasting three years, although there are some part-time courses.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate courses cover the same topics and have a strong practical element with over 200 days (usually six to seven hours a day) of supervised work placements.

Applications for all courses are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)  between 1 September and 15 January each year. A full list of courses can be found on the GSCC website.

Some students may be eligible for a bursary. See the NHS Student Bursaries  website for further details.

There are two new government initiatives aimed at graduates interested in social work with children, young people and families:

• a pilot graduate recruitment scheme to attract high achieving graduates onto the postgraduate social work training;
• employment-based training for recent graduates, providing a more flexible route to complete the Masters degree - due to start in 2011.

Further details can be found on the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC)  website.

You need to have relevant experience before being accepted on to the postgraduate course. Gain as much work experience as possible, either through paid positions in community care centres or by undertaking relevant voluntary work.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• patience and the ability to remain calm in a crisis;
• resilience;
• flexibility to adapt to new roles, tasks and situations;
• initiative;
• strong observation, analytical and listening skills;
• the capacity to absorb legal/procedural information;
• the ability to negotiate/mediate/interpret on behalf of clients.

Empathy, combined with a genuine desire to improve the quality of the lives of clients, is essential, as is the ability to think on your feet and take difficult decisions under pressure. An interest and/or participation in some aspect of your local community is also useful. General administrative skills, for example, report writing, are also needed.

Contact Community Service Volunteers (CSV)  for details of relevant voluntary work. Your local volunteer bureau may also be able to help you to find opportunities for work experience.

Further information on how to train as a social worker is available on the General Social Care Council (GSCC)  website. See also the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CDWC)   website for information on social work with children, young people and families.

The diploma in social work (DipSW) and other previous social work qualifications are still recognised as valid social work qualifications.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.