A level

Grades BBB

Applied General Qualifications

• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite), award profile DDD
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite), award profile DDM
• QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite) Award profile of DD plus A Level Grade B
• RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite) Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B

Irish Leaving Certificate

120 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level

Irish Leaving Certificate UCAS Equivalency

• View tariff point chart

Scottish Highers

Grades BBBCC

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades CCC

International Baccalaureate

Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 26 points (13 at higher level) including English and Maths

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Access Diploma NI

• Overall profile of 65% in Level 3 modules (120 credit NI Access Course).

Access to HE Diploma (GB)

• Overall profile of 24D 21M (60 credit GB Access Course)

GCSE

• GCSE English Grade C/4 or Essential Skills Communication Level 2 (Pass) or Communication Module (Level 2) in Access programme.
• GCSE Maths grade C/4 or Essential Skills Numeracy Level 2 or Maths modules (Level 2) in Access programme.

English Language Requirements

• English language requirements for international applicants:
• Minimum of Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Any applicant whose first language is not English or who has not achieved a grade C in a recent GCSE in English Language should demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English at IELTS – Academic 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in all four elements of the test.
• Trinity ISE: Pass at level III
• Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

> English language requirements

> Your country

Additional Entry Requirements

Qualifications other than those listed above are acceptable including:

• Pass HND (total of 120 credits) for entry to Year 1 with overall Merit with distinctions in 60 Level 5 credits
• Pass HNC (total of 120 credits) with an overall Distinction to include 90 Level 4 credits at Distinction.

Examples of acceptable combinations include: 2 A Levels and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: OCR National Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: 2 A Levels and Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma: A Level and BTEC National Diploma

Please check the Ulster University website:
https://www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements/equivalence

How we select our students:

STAGE 1 - Application for must be made via UCAS.com by the closing date of 26 January 2023 (18:00 hours). Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Applications for South West College's Social Work Degree is managed centrally by the Admissions Office at Ulster (Magee Campus):

Dungannon Campus, South West College (3 year degree, first two years at SWC, final year at Magee campus)

UCAS Course Code: L506, campus code X

Applicants are advised that having some experience in employment or voluntary work of a social work nature is beneficial but not essential.

STAGE 2 -A Consent & Declaration form will be sent to you by email. If you receive this from both Ulster and Queen’s you must complete both and return to the relevant institution.

STAGE 3 - Interview -you will be invited to participate in a video interview. Interviews will take place in February 2023. The interview questions will explore your motivation and understanding of social work values, self-care and diversity. It is important that you draw upon any life, academic or work experience (voluntary or paid).

NB: It is assumed that if you submit your video interview for assessment, that you were 'fit' to create this. If unwell a request should be made for an alternative date and this will be accommodated, where possible.

STAGE 4 - Offers: Applicants who pass the ‘suitability interview’ are ranked by interview score. Offers are normally issued in April. However not all applicants who are deemed suitable will receive an offer at this stage. This is due to the government quota for social work places in Northern Ireland. You should note that, if you have applied to both Ulster and QUB, it is possible to receive an offer from one institution and not the other.

Those applicants who do not receive an offer in this first round will be placed on a 'reserve list' in case places become available at a later date (this may not be until August). You should note that there is no guarantee that additional places will become available.

Please note if you are unsuccessful at any of the above stages you will be notified via UCAS.

Registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Social work students in Northern Ireland are required to register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NI_SCC). When you enrol as a Social Work student at Ulster, you will be asked to sign a declaration that you will comply with the NI_SCC Standards of Conduct for Social work students available at the following link NI_SCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students

As part of the registration process you will be asked to provide information so that NI_SCC can assess your suitability to train as a social worker. This is known as, ‘Fitness to Practice’. Each case is considered separately and on its own merit. Further information can be accessed at the following link: https://niscc.info/fitness-to-practise-and-hearings

Department of Health Incentive Scheme

Social work students currently benefit from an incentive scheme. This bursary is valued at £4000 per year with an additional £500 to assist students with the cost of studying. The scheme remains under review. Please see full details at:

Dept Health Social Work Student Incentive Scheme

Exemptions and transferability

As this is a professional course, all modules are compulsory.

Students who do not pass the Preparation for Practice Learning module may transfer to a related academic subject within the Faculty e.g. BSc Hons Health and Social Care Policy, BSc Sociology with Options.

Assessment can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work.

Students will undertake the first two years of this Honours Degree at SWC, Dungannon Campus. In the third year students will transfer to Ulster University, Magee Campus. Following this, students may progress into the Social Work Profession on completion of their academic award. Students will complete a further assessed year in employment to become a fully qualified and registered social worker with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

How to Apply for BSc Hons Social Work at South West College Dungannon Campus ( UCAS CODE L506, Campus code X ) NB: All applications submitted by the normal closing date of 25th January (18:00 hours) are given equal consideration. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applications to the BSc (Hons) Social Works at South West College at Dungannon Campus are dealt with centrally by the Admissions Office at Ulster University. All the information on your application is important and you should ensure that full details are given about qualifications completed or still to be completed. Applicants are advised that some experience in employment or voluntary work of a social work nature is beneficial but not essential. Applicants who meet the initial selection criteria will be invited to participate in a ‘virtual interview’ on an online platform. The questions will assess their suitability for Social Work training. Interviews are a requirement of the professional body i.e. The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (SCC), as set out in its ‘Rules for Approval of Degree in Social Work courses’. The interview is organised on a regional basis enabling applicants to have a single interview for Northern Ireland Social Work programmes offered by Ulster University, South West College, Belfast Metropolitan College and Queens University Belfast.

Decisions on applicants who have been unsuccessful following interview will be made on an ongoing basis and notified to the applicant via UCAS. Offers are not made until all applicants who are eligible have been interviewed, normally late April/early May. This is a high demand degree programme and therefore not all applicants deemed suitable for Social Work training will receive an offer. Thresholds vary from year to year. Further details on the ‘Application and Selection Process Timeline

Please use the link below to access important additional information regarding the application process.

https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/202324/social-work-3-year-full-time-course-30883#entryconditions

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the Admissions Office at Magee Campus, giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

admissionsmg@ulster.ac.uk

Criminal Records Checks and Occupational Health Screening Costs

1. This course is subject to Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (2003) legislation. Applicants with a firm offer require an Enhanced Access Northern Ireland Criminal Records check due to the nature of social work. This will cost approximately 33 GBP. This Criminal Records check happens in advance of becoming a student and may be repeated prior to two practice learning placements the during the 3-year training cycle.

1. Occupational Health Screening is required in advance of becoming a student (those with firm offers). Costs associated with this currently are approximately 35 GBP for initial health screening with an additional approximately 50 GBP charge if vaccinations are required. A further Hepatitis B vaccination may be required if a student is allocated a placement in a clinical or hospital setting at an additional cost of approximately 90 GBP. Please note this is 2022/23 prices that are subject to change in 2023/24.

2023/24 fees:

£4710 per annum

For 2024/25 fees, please refer to our Fees and Charges Policy on the SWC website

Registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council Social work students in Northern Ireland are required to register with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NI_SCC). You will be asked to sign a declaration that you will comply with the NI_SCC Standards of Conduct for Social work students available at the following link https://niscc.info/app/uploads/2020/09/standards-of-conduct-and-practice-for-social-work-students-2019.pdf

As part of the registration process you will be asked to provide information so that NI_SCC can assess your suitability to train as a social worker. This is known as, ‘Fitness to Practice’. The purpose of Fitness to Practice is not to punish potential registrants but to protect the public. Each case is considered separately and on its own merit further information can be accessed at the following link.

https://niscc.info/fitness-to-practise/

Further information on a career in social work can be found on Interested in becoming a social worker? - NISCC

Incentive Scheme, Department of Health

Social work students currently receive an incentive scheme. This is a bursary valued at 4000 GBP per year with an additional fund of 500 GBP to assist students with the cost of studying. This scheme remains under review. Please see full details, following the link below.

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-degree-in-social-work.pdf