Social Work BA

7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

if you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

GCSE English grade 4 (C) and GCSE maths grade 4 (C) or Functional Skills Level 2 maths

General studies and critical thinking

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements apply to 2026 entry.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Alternative qualifications

We encourage applications from all sections of the community including applicants who may be returning to work or changing career. Mature applicants, including those on Access courses and with alternative qualifications are encouraged to apply.

RQF BTEC Nationals

• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD (Preferably in health and social care or a social science subject)
  
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus one A level grade B (Preferably in health and social care or a social science subject)
  
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus two A levels grades BB
  
  

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE Diploma 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit. This must include at least six level 3 credits in study skills. Access courses in social work or social sciences are preferred.

Notes for applicants

The minimum age for entry to the BA programme is 18 year old. Applications must be made through UCAS. No applicant will be offered a place without an interview. Our initial entry criteria includes completion of a short written test. Applicants can then progress to an interview.

Interviews take place between December and April each year. The interview takes place online and applicants are sent full joining instructions. You will be interviewed by a social work academic, a social work practitioner and someone with lived experience of social work. We make reasonable adjustments to our written test and interview process for applicants who have a health condition, disability or learning need. We encourage applicants to make us aware of any health condition, disability or learning need so we can make adjustments and discuss potential support on the course. If you tell us about a health condition, disability or learning need this will not influence our decision-making on whether to offer you a place.

Although there is no requirement for prior experience of social work, applicants who have some relevant voluntary or paid experience in a helping role, or can demonstrate that they have personal insights or understandings to reflect upon are likely to produce a better personal statement and have more to draw upon during the interview.

If invited for interview, applicants are required to make a signed declaration regarding any health condition or criminal record and then complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check once registered on the course. Although a criminal record or a health condition is not necessarily a bar to acceptance, failure to disclose relevant information may subsequently result in the offer of a place or registration, being withdrawn.

Personal statement and interview advice

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on studying social work. Your experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course like social work.

When writing your personal statement, you should provide details of your related personal or social care experiences. At your interview, it is important to be able to explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for social work. 

From your application and interview, we look for:

• evidence of motivation to become a social worker, shown by having a clear rationale for wanting to join the profession, and preferably some experience in a helping role
• some understanding of the roles and responsibilities of social workers
• some degree of self-awareness and empathy for others
• the capacity to succeed academically
  
  

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.