Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 degree with relevant prior experience (including voluntary) in social care, education or health. This programme also requires a minimum of three GCSEs at grade C or above including English Language and Maths (or equivalent). These GCSEs must be obtained prior to submitting an application.

We do not specify a minimum length of time in social work since we are most interested in how you reflect upon your experience. If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

Shortlisted applicants will also have to pass screening processes in terms of professional suitability: DBS criminal record checks; health declaration; professional references. The University will pay for DBS checks.

You must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
If you would like further information about entry requirements or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

Months of entry

January

Course content

Social work provides an opportunity to ensure fair and just treatment for those who might not be able to do so for themselves and can be a hugely rewarding career for anyone with an interest in safeguarding the human rights of others.

This programme is designed to provide the professional knowledge and skills needed to qualify and practice as a registered social worker. Through an integrated learning approach, students are supported to develop as competent, confident, analytical, and reflective practitioners who can work safely and effectively in complex, challenging environments to make a difference in the lives of people and society.

Interprofessional learning is at the core of this programme, enabling students to learn, develop, and collaborate with students from other disciplines in health and social care, including Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy students. Students may take advantage of the excellent research environment and opportunities available to build on links between social work practice and research to undertake their own real-world research study. The programme benefits from strong international links providing chances for focused teaching and study visits further afield.

Each year, students will have the chance to undertake practice placements, supervised and assessed by a practice educator. These allow students to apply the theory and practice of social work in varied and challenging settings with a focus on health and social care.

Information for international students

We welcome international applications although our places are very limited.
All international applicants require IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each element for students whose first language is not English. Applicants must provide a valid IELTS certificate at the point of application.
Students who have completed a UK degree within 5 years of their proposed enrolment at the University will not be required to provide IELTS.
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

For further advice on IELTS and the support available, please contact the International College by email at internationalcollege@lincoln.ac.uk.

International applicants need to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country and ensure this is still valid by the date of enrolment in addition to the DBS requirements detailed. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website; please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants.

Fees and funding

All candidates on the MSc programme who meet basic UK residency criteria will be able to apply for a Social Work Bursary to support their studies. The bursary provides a basic grant as well as means-tested allowances for a range of needs. For full details and information about eligibility, please visit: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/825.aspx

Students may incur additional costs for travel to practice placements on this course and are strongly encouraged to hold a UK Driving Licence (unless a disability/medical condition prevents them from doing so) as it will significantly affect the availability of placements. Eligible students may be able to apply for an NHS Student Bursary for Practice Placement Expenses. Please see: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students.