BSc (Hons) DegreeSocial WorkValidated by Ulster University

Ulster University Admissions Information 2026-2027 for BSc Hons Social Work 3 Year Route Applicants

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain

How to Apply for BSc Hons Social Work at Ulster University (L500, L505, L506)

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions Office at Ulster University and Queens University Belfast, rather than by individual University Faculties or associated Colleges. All the information on your application is important, and you should ensure that full details are given about qualifications being 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.

Please Note: International Students can apply via Direct Entry or UCAS

International admissions information at Ulster University can be found here Applying to Ulster University  Please see section below for International Applicants and Appendix 2 for admissions information for international applicants.

Important information: L505 (Belfast Metropolitan College) and L506 (South West College) international applicants must be domiciled in Northern Ireland and not under immigration controls.

Deadline for UCAS Applications 2026 Entry

All applications need to be submitted by 14th January 2025 (18:00 hours UK time) and all are given equal consideration. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. 

Applicants who meet the initial academic selection criteria will be invited to participate in an in-person interview.  The questions will assess 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 programs offered by Ulster University, South West College, Belfast Metropolitan College and Queens University Belfast.

Decisions on applicants who have been unsuccessful following interviews 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. Threshold interview scores for offers vary from year to year.  Further details on the ‘Application and Selection Process Timeline’ are outlined in Appendix 1.

Academic Entry Criteria

A-levels

Offers are normally made on the basis of 3 A levels i.e. BBB. The offer for repeat applicants is set in terms of 3 A-levels and is the same standard as for first-time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year. 

Combination of A-level plus BTEC Level 3 Qualifications

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered.  Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. The normal GCSE profile (or equivalent) will be expected.

Other Qualifications

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma and Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Irish Leaving Certificate, Access Course or a Foundation Degree will also be considered. 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma 

The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those applicants taking a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification.  Offers are made on the basis of ‘Successful completion of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with overall grades DDM (RQF) or overall grades DDD (QCF).

Irish Leaving Certificate

Offers are normally based on 5 Highers in the Irish Leaving Certificate i.e. grades H3, H3, H3, H3, H3.  If not offered at Higher Level, English and Mathematics are required at Ordinary Level minimum grade 04.

Access Courses

Applications from those offering Access Diploma/Certificate in Foundation Studies courses are welcomed and each is considered individually on its merits.  Access Courses are designed for adults who left formal education without the qualifications needed for entry to higher education, who did not progress beyond Level 3 qualifications, e.g. A-levels, and who are returning to study after a significant break (normally a minimum of two years).   Where offers are made, these are based on completion of the full qualification, which is normally available on a one-year, full-time or two-years, part-time basis.  In previous years the standard set was completion of the Access Course with an average of 65% (Level 3 Units). This level is subject to change and is reviewed annually.

Applicants who have progressed beyond A-level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification)

Higher National Certificate (HNC)/Higher National Diploma (HND)

HNC (total of 120 credits) with an overall DISTINCTION to include 90 level 4 credits at Distinction. HND (total of 120 credits) for entry to Year 1 with overall MERIT to include 60 Level 5 credits at Distinction.

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 in Application of Number and Communication is acceptable in lieu of these requirements. 

Applicants in Receipt of an Offer

Applicants who pass the suitability interview, are invited to an information event which is usually held in late May following the UCAS notification of offers.  The date of this event will be communicated in due course.  This opportunity will allow you to visit Ulster University at the Derry-Londonderry (Magee) Campus, to meet staff and to find out more about the degree program and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavor of the academic and social life at Ulster University.  

Deferred Entry

Candidates cannot apply for deferred entry in advance of the annual selection process due to the demand for places but may apply on medical grounds after they have met all the entry conditions and are in receipt of an offer. Evidence of medical issues will be required.

Transfers

Because of the competition for places to study Social Work and the nature of the course structure, transfers are not considered. However, candidates who commence another course of study may submit a fresh application via UCAS for consideration.  All applicants must have the same entry requirements as those applying direct from A-level (or other acceptable qualification) and must have passed any exams taken at University.

Contact

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

Enquiries are welcome and should be directed to admissionsdld@ulster.ac.uk

APPENDIX 1 – Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK - APPLICATION TIMELINE 

There are four stages to the application process: 

STAGE 1

Following receipt of your application the admissions team will assess your academic qualifications.  If you meet/can meet the academic entry requirements for social work your application will progress to Stage 2. 

STAGE 2

A Consent & Declaration email and pro forma will be sent to you.  If you receive a Consent & Declaration letter and pro forma from both Ulster and Queens you must complete each pro forma (tick box) and return to the relevant institution, to the email/ address indicated. 

STAGE 3

Interview

If you achieve the required academic entry criteria, you will receive an email inviting you to attend an in person interview.

Interviews run from middle of February until late March

Interview Scoring and ranking analysis continues through to late April.

Interview

The interview will have four questions. Questions will concentrate on your motivation to pursue a career in social work and your understanding of different aspects of social work practice. It is important that you draw upon any life or work experience, and you consider skills, knowledge, and values important to social work.

NB: It is assumed that if an applicant attends for interview, that they were fit to undertake this. 

STAGE 4

Social Work Offers: Following completion of the interview process applicants who pass the ‘suitability interview’ are ranked by interview score.  Offers are made before the UCAS deadline (usually early- mid May each year) but not all applicants who pass the interview will receive an offer at this point as interview score thresholds vary from year to year.   This is due to the government quota for social work at both Ulster (including South West College and Belfast Met) and Queen’s.  You should note that, if you have applied to both Queen’s and Ulster, it is possible to receive an offer from one institution and not the other. 

After the initial round of offers Ulster and Queen’s will email/write to eligible applicants asking if they wish to be retained on a ‘reserve list’ if additional places become available.  This may not be until August following receipt of all examination results.  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 we will notify you as soon as possible, via UCAS.

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

2.    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 all charges (police checks and occupational health assessments) are based on 2025/26 prices that are subject to change in 2026/27.

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

Incentive Scheme, Department of Health

Social work students resident in Northern Ireland currently receive an incentive scheme from the Department of Health.  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

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.

International Applicants

How to Apply for Social Work at Ulster, BSc Honours, Three Year Route (L500, L505, L506)

International applicants are welcome to apply for BSc Social Work (3 year route) D-LD campus through UCAS or by using Ulster’s international applicant portal.  The international applicant portal provides a seamless applicant journey with access to real-time offer communication, the facility to upload supporting documentation, and a bank of online resources designed to guide our international applicants through their journey to Ulster.

Please Note: L505 (Belfast Metropolitan College) and L506 (South West College) international applicants must be domiciled in Northern Ireland and not under immigration controls.

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 or can potentially meet the academic entry criteria will be invited to participate in an online interview using Microsoft Teams ©. Interview questions will assess 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’. 

Decisions on applicants who have been unsuccessful following interview will be made on an ongoing basis, and notified to the applicant usually within 10 working days, by the International Admissions Office at Ulster University.

Further details on the ‘Application and Selection Process Timeline’ are outlined in Appendix 2.

Deadline for Applications

All applications submitted by the normal closing date of 14th January 2026 (18:00 hours UK time) are given equal consideration. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

International Applicants – English Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Other English tests accepted are available via this link https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements

APPENDIX 2 – International Applicants

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK  3 YEAR ROUTE - APPLICATION TIMELINE   

The admissions process for international applicants are in three stages:

STAGE 1

Following receipt of your application the international admissions team will assess your academic qualifications.  To find your country equivalent for entry qualifications please go to this link https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

If you meet/can meet the academic entry requirements for social work your application will progress to Stage 2. 

STAGE 2

Interview

If you achieve the required academic entry criteria, you will receive an email inviting you to participate in an online interview using Microsoft Teams ©.

The interview is conducted by one social work academic and one social work practitioner.

There will be a total of four questions during the interviews. Questions will concentrate on your motivation to pursue a career in social work and your understanding of different aspects of social work practice. It is important that you draw upon any life or work experience, and you consider skills, knowledge, and values important to social work.

Interviews and interview scoring, run from mid/late February right through to late April.

NB: It is assumed that if an applicant attends their interview that they were fit to undertake this. 

STAGE 3

Offers: Following completion of the interview process applicants who pass the ‘suitability interview’ are ranked by interview score.  Offers are processed by mid-end of April but not all applicants who pass the interview will receive an offer. Thresholds vary from year to year.  

Applicants who are unsuccessful at any of the above stages will be notified in due course by the International Admissions Office at Ulster University.

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 may require an Enhanced Access Northern Ireland Criminal Records check due to the nature of social work (if domiciled in Northern Ireland).  This check happens in advance of enrolling as a student and may be repeated prior to practice learning placements during the 3-year training cycle.  Additionally, International police checks are required from the applicant’s country of origin and the length of time for this process to complete is variable and costs are country specific.
2. Occupational Health screening is also required prior to enrolment.  Costs associated with this currently are approximately 35 GBP for initial health screening with an additional 50 GBP (approx.) 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 90 GBP (approx.). 

Please note all charges (police checks and occupational health assessments) are based on 2025/26 prices that are subject to change in 2026/27.

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 (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 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

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

Incentive Scheme, Department of Health (Northern Ireland residents only)

Social work student’s resident in Northern Ireland currently receive an incentive bursary.  This is 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 at the link below.

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

Confirmation of Understanding: If you are successful in obtaining a place on the BSc Hons in Social Work, all students must 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.