Faculty: Health and Social Care
School of Public Health, Midwifery and Social Work
ADMISSIONS BOOKLET – APPLICANT INFORMATION: MA SOCIAL WORK – ENTRY 2015 The MA in social work (full-time or part-time path) provides graduates with a route to a social work qualification – successful completion leads to eligibility to apply for
registration as a social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council. The admissions process adheres to requirements set out by Canterbury Christ Church University, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The College of Social Work(TCSW).
Entry requirements
• First class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject discipline. First class or upper second class honours degree in an unrelated subject and
demonstration of significant social work related experience at an appropriate level, gained either in a paid or voluntary capacity or as a service user / carer.
The usual entry criteria recommended by The College of Social Work is a 2: 1 or above. If your degree classification is a lower second class (2:2), this will not preclude
consideration of your application as a range of factors are taken into account for admission to the programme.
• GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths at grade C or above
Basic ability to use ICT including word processing, internet browsing and use of email. All successful candidates will be subject to Occupational Health, Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) check and suitability clearance.
In circumstances where successful applicants need to provide additional evidence of
meeting language requirements, they must meet communicating and comprehension skills to International English Language testing Systems (IELTS) at level 7. See IELTS.org website for information on levels.
How should you apply and how will you be selected?
You will need to apply through UCAS. UCAS set a limit on the amount of words you can use in the statement but mapping of information to TCSW Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) is part of the application process. It is therefore helpful for your UCAS statement to highlight details about relevance of your experiences to the course – this includes education and any experience gained in a paid, voluntary capacity (including placement as part of a course) or experience you wish to share as a service user / carer. The criteria for selection of applicants for social work training are based on statements at entry level of the professional capabilities framework (PCF) of TCSW. See website for further details http://www.tcsw.org.uk/uploadedFiles/PCFNOVEntryLevelCapabilities.pdf IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APPLICATION AND ADMISSION DAY ASSESSMENT: Assessment of previous and current experience (paid, voluntary, service user, carer) is an important part of the ranking criteria for the bursary (see later section on financial
information) – ensure that details are provided in your application form. You will also have an opportunity to provide information at a later point.
ADMISSION DAY for selected candidates – the process includes:
Written test: In this half hour test you will be assessed on your ability to write clearly and accurately in written English on a social work related question. This will enable you to demonstrate intellectual potential through your ability to communicate clearly your views and arguments relating to the test question (see section below if you require additional arrangements).
Group work task: Candidates will be arranged in small groups and will be asked to discuss a topic relating to social work practice. The purpose of this task is to assess your ability in spoken English and communication, your understanding of the social work role and assessment of your role in a team work discussion task.
Individual Interview: You will be asked a number of questions relating to your
knowledge and understanding of social work and will have the opportunity to explain how your experiences (paid, voluntary or personal) have contributed to your understanding andyour commitment to the study of social work. This will help us to assess your potential for social work. It will also assist in assessment of bursary ranking.
Additional Information about the interview day
• Please inform the Admissions Team if you require any additional arrangements on the interview day due to disability or learning needs, for example, any restrictions in walking / use of stairs; use of computer for the written test.
• The importance of service user and carer involvement and partnership with professional staff in practice placements is reflected in their involvement on the
admission day through assessment with academic social work staff of group work and individual interviews.
ASSESSMENT OF ADMISSION DAY PROCESS
Assessment for each of the processes will be included in the final decision to award a conditional or unconditional place, subject to satisfactory health, suitability and disclosure and barring check. It will also be used to assess ranking for the bursary.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Tuition Fees (Home/EU): Current level for 2014 entry £3996/year (pro-rata for part-time route - £1998)
BURSARY
Social work bursaries for those who meet the residency requirements are administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) – see websites for detailed information https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/323163/HEI _2014_revised.pdf and
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/Documents/Students/SWB_PG_booklet_2014-15.pdf The postgraduate bursary comprises:
The basic bursary (non-income assessed)
Contribution to tuition fees up to £3996 (full-time); £1998 (part-time) Application can also be made for additional allowances:
Disabled student allowance,
Income assessed maintenance grant,
Income assessed adults dependent allowance, Income assessed parents learning allowance, Income assessed Childcare allowance
• Full and part-time applicants offered a place on the course are responsible for making their own application to the NHSBSA which is responsible for the final assessment of eligibility and award of the bursaries.
Each university is subject to a limit on the number of bursaries available and
universities apply a ranking process for social work applicants awarded a bursary by the NHSBSA. The current number of bursaries at CCCU for 2014 entry is 29,
approximately 75% of course places.
Applicants are assessed and ranked prior to starting the programme in accordance with the eligibility process. Ranking for the bursary is determined using the entry level PCF outcomes: experience of the sector (e.g. work related to the social work sector, or user/carer experience in a social work service); other work/life experience in a setting of relevance to the social work field or likely to be of value to the social work sector. If a high number of students remain following application of the criteria then a range of other relevant factors will be taken into account (e.g. grades/academic points, admissions criteria considered)
Eligible applicants will receive a non-income assessed basic grant via the NHS Bursary Scheme (current level 2014-15 - up to £3362.50 per year for study outside
London; pro-rata for part-time study). The grant includes an amount for travel to and from placement (current figures for 2014-15 - £862.50).
Those who do not receive a bursary may be eligible for placement travel expenses for travel to and from placement (currently £862.50).
• The university also has scholarship schemes and additional funding can be available for those formerly looked after by Social Services – check information with
Financing Services.
http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/StudyHere/FeesAndFinance/home.aspx
(Please note that bursary information is current for 2014-15 and may be subject to change by the Department of Health).
Frequently asked questions
Question Answer
Will I get a bursary? See bursary information
Where will my placement be? We cannot guarantee where placements are. Most placements are located within Kent and Medway although we do have some placements outside of this area for students who are located further afield. We take into account where students live, whether or not they can drive and any caring commitments but some travelling may be required: there is a travel allowance. Are there any exams? There are no exams on the MA course: it is a mix of presentations, written assignments, case studies and practice portfolio.
Would it be possible to balance a part time job with the course?
What is the time commitment of the part-time and full-part-time course?
Many students take on part-time work although they find it demanding: on the full-time course teaching can be 3-4 days a week and then placements are 4-5 days a week. There is a part-time route which requires commitment of 2 days a week over the 4 years.
To what extent can you choose specific subject matters (within social care) that you are particularly interested in? For example, is there a choice of modules?
There is no choice of modules: it is a generic course which covers all aspects of practice so there are a wide variety of subjects. However, there is scope within assignments and the research module to focus on
particular areas of interest.
I have a 2:2 - can I still apply? A 2:2 does not preclude consideration of your application - we consider a range of factors for admission to the programme. What is considered a 'relevant' degree? Relevant first degrees would include: social
policy / social administration, law, teaching, nursing, early childhood studies, sociology, psychology. Please contact the Programme Director / Admissions Lead to discuss further if your degree is not in the above list. 4
What work experience should I do? Direct work with service users in the social care / social work field in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Social Work Team Contacts for Further Information
Programme Director: Cheryl Yardley: cheryl.yardley@canterbury.ac.uk Admissions Lead for MA and BA Social Work courses: Cathy Pilkington cathy.pilkington@canterbury.ac.uk
