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.

Foundation Degree

Applications from those offering a Foundation Degree are welcomed and each is considered individually on its merits. Successful completion of Foundation Degree with an overall mark of 55% in Level 5 modules.

NB: ALL APPLICANTS

All applicants require GCSE Mathematics and English at minimum Grade C or equivalent Essential Skills. Level 2 Application of Number and Communication is acceptable in lieu of these requirements.

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

Please visit -Social Work (3 year full-time course) BSc (Hons) at Ulster University 2025/26 entry - Full-time Undergraduate Study

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).

Deadline for Applications NB: All applications submitted by the normal closing date of 29th January 2025 (18:00 hours) are given equal consideration. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applications to the BSc (Hons) Social Work 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 an in-person interview. 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. Thresholds vary from year to year. Further details on the ‘Application and Selection Process Timeline’ are outlined below.

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

Social Work (3 year full-time course) BSc (Hons) at Ulster University 2025/26 entry - Full-time Undergraduate Study

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

2025/26 fees:

£4,855 per annum

*The fees quoted are payable for each year.

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 practice learning placements during the 3-year training cycle.

Occupational Health Screening

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 2024/25 prices that are subject to change in 2025/26.

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/

Students successfully gaining a place on the course each year tell us they find the resources available on the NI SCC website very helpful for preparation for the admissions interview and they tell us that these resources helped them to improve their interview performance. Further information on a career in social work can be found on Interested in becoming a social worker? - NISCC

Confirmation of Understanding: If you are successful in obtaining a place on the BSc Hons in Social Work, all students have to sign a ‘Confirmation of Understanding’ which sets out all disclosures required in relation to issues related to ‘fitness to practice’. Students must read this document carefully and declare any issues noted in the document within a week of receipt.