Social Work application guide

If you are ready to begin your Social Work application, this step-by-step guide should help. Here we offer general advice to support you in your application, along with information relevant to your application to study social work at University of Birmingham. 

Things to consider before you apply

Please read our Admissions Requirements guide to learn more about the following:

  • Expectations of students on the programme
  • Finances and costs
  • Practice Placements
  • Vaccinations
  • Declaration of Suitability for Social Work and Enhanced DBS Check
  • Social Care Reference and relevant work experience

Step 1: Choose your course at Birmingham

The University of Birmingham Social Work BA and MA degrees will give you a fascinating and dynamic experience. They are tailor-made courses driven by excellence in teaching and research. In addition to our academics who are experts in their field, we offer first-hand learning from service users, carers, and practitioners.

We have two qualifying courses that can be applied for through UCAS. Visit our website for more information about our BA Social Work and MA Social Work programmes.

Step 2: The application process

All applications to our BA and MA Social Work programmes are completed through UCAS. The University of Birmingham's UCAS code number is B32. The UCAS code for the BA Social Work is L501 while for the MA Social Work it is L502.

Please note that, for applicants submitting after the equal consideration deadline, our course may close earlier than the advertised UCAS date to allow for the interview process to be completed by the final UCAS processing deadline.

Application deadlines can be found on the UCAS website.

Your personal statement

Your personal statement should build on your academic achievements. You should include reflection on your work experience and demonstrate an understanding and commitment to social work through this experience. It should include why you want to study social work and your passion for the subject, and what you feel you can offer the profession. It should clearly demonstrate that you have (or will have) sufficient work experience (at least 30 days as indicated in our Admissions Requirements) and highlight your knowledge of social work, what you want to gain from the course and how it will develop you as a social worker.

There is also general information on writing a great personal statement on our website. Please note that this is not specific to students applying to professional courses. 

Step 3: Applicants living in England, Scotland, or Wales

When you have been allocated to an assessment day, you will receive an email from us confirming that you are registered for a Social Work Assessment Day.

Our assessment days take place on Wednesdays between November and June. Your interview will be scheduled to ensure that your application is fully processed by the relevant UCAS deadline.

For applicants living in England, Scotland or Wales, your assessment day will take place at our Edgbaston campus.

There are two elements to the assessment day: a written test and a face-to-face interview. All candidates will complete the written test together, and you will be given your interview time upon arrival.

You should not share any of the details of the assessment day (such as the content of the test, case study or interview). Candidates found to have done so may have any offer of study withdrawn.

Written test

You will read an article relating to Social Work and answer an essay-style question. You will have 90 minutes to complete this test. 

Interview

You will have a face-to-face interview with a member of academic staff and a member of our service user, carer and practitioner team. 30 minutes before your allocated interview time, you will be given a short case study to read, and you will answer questions about this as part of the interview. 

Your assessment day schedule

Our assessment days run from 09:30 – 14:30 or 11:30 – 17:00. The following is an example schedule.

  • 09:30 – 10:00 – arrival at test location, ID check and registration
  • 10:00 – 11:30 – written test
  • 11:30 – 12:00 – move to interview location and break
  • 12:00 – 14:30 – individual interviews

What you should bring with you

You should bring a form of photographic identification with you, such as your passport or driving licence (full or provisional).

All writing materials and notepaper will be provided for you. You will not be able to take any notes home from the interview.

Your clothes should be appropriate and presentable and should not have any offensive words or logos on them. We do not require business formal attire and you should not need to purchase new clothes for the occasion. 

Getting to the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is easy to travel to by public transport or car. Please see travel directions and our campus map on our website.

We also encourage you to download the University of Birmingham Campus Map app for navigating on campus. This is available on Apple or Android.

The outcome of your assessment day

We endeavour to advise you of the outcome of your interview via email 7 working days after their assessment day. Where there is a delay, we will advise you accordingly.

If you are successful at the interview, we will recommend that you are made an offer of a place. Please note that the final decision to make an offer remains with our Central Admissions team, and this decision will be updated on UCAS Track. This is usually done within 15 working days of the outcome email. 

Step 4: Applications living outside mainland Britain

When you have been allocated to an assessment day, you will receive an email from us confirming that you are registered for a Social Work Assessment Day.

Our assessment days take place on Wednesdays. For applicants who apply by the UCAS deadline for on time applicants at the end of January, your assessment day will take place by the beginning of May. For applicants that apply after this deadline, your assessment day will take place by the end of June.

For applicants living outside mainland Britain, your assessment day will take place online.

There are two elements to the assessment day: a written test and a face-to-face interview. All candidates will complete the written test together, and you will be given your interview time upon arrival. 

You should not share any of the details of the assessment day (such as the content of the test, case study or interview). Candidates found to have done so may have any offer of study withdrawn.

Written test

You will read an article relating to Social Work and answer an essay-style question. You will have 90 minutes to complete this test.

We host the test on our virtual learning environment. Registration details will be sent to you in advance of the interview, and we recommend checking to ensure that everything works correctly in advance of the interview day. 

Interview

You will have a Zoom interview with a member of academic staff and a member of our service user, carer, and practitioner team. 30 minutes before your allocated interview time, you will be sent a short case study to read via email, and you will answer questions about this as part of the interview. 

Your assessment day schedule

Our assessment days run from 10:00 – 17:00 UK time. The following is an example schedule.

  • 10:00 – 11:30 UK time – written test
  • 11:30 – 12:00 UK time – break
  • 12:00 – 17:00 UK time – individual interviews

For candidates living in time zones +/- more than 6 hours from UK time, arrangements are made to ensure that the assessment process is carried out at a reasonable time for all parties involved. If you have questions about this, please do contact us. 

What you should have with you

You should have a form of photographic identification with you, such as your passport or driving licence (full or provisional).

You can make notes to help you during the assessment day process, so you may wish to have a notepad and pen available.

Your clothes should be appropriate and presentable and should not have any offensive words or logos on them. We do not require business formal attire and you should not need to purchase new clothes for the occasion. 

The outcome of your assessment day

  1. We endeavour to inform you of the outcome of your assessment day activities via email within 7 working days. Where there is a delay, we will advise you accordingly. 

If you are successful at the interview, we will recommend that you are made an offer of a place. Please note that the final decision to make an offer remains with our Central Admissions team, and this decision will be updated on UCAS Track. This is usually done within 15 working days of the outcome email. 

Our top tips for interview

As part of the application process of applying to study Social Work at the University of Birmingham, we will do an interview to find out why you want to study your university degree.  

Here we have compiled eight top tips for your social work interview:

  1. Practice self-care: In the lead-up to your interview, take some time out to relax.
  2. Do your research: Check out Community Care, The Guardian and Social Care Network to stay up to date.
  3. Check your junk mail: Any information about your interview will be emailed to you directly.
  4. Reflect on why you want to be a Social Worker - what key skills do you have that would make you a good Social Worker?
  5. Be ready to give examples: Draw on relevant and real-life examples.
  6. Decide what to wear ahead of time: This is one less thing to do in the morning!
  7. Know your travel plans: The address and information on how to get to campus is on our website.
  8. Don't be afraid to ask questions: You can ask for the question to be repeated or take a pause if you need to!

And lastly, good luck! We look forward to meeting you at your interview.

Got any questions?

If you have specific questions about your chosen course or application, please contact our student recruitment team directly: