Social Work School leaver Student Graduate Career changer Volunteering Case studies Social Work Degree How to Apply

Getting Started Graduate

If you're interested in exploring a career in social work or volunteering (which is often required for acceptance onto degree courses), use this section to discover the next steps available to you.

Choose and click the area you are interested in exploring from below:

Social Work
Volunteering

Graduate

Click the option below which best describes your current situation.

If you already have a degree in another subject, some universities offer a shorter postgraduate course which will enable you to practise as a social worker. You will need to contact individual universities for further clarification.

As the postgraduate course is only two years and you will be going on your first placement very early on in the course, universities will expect you to have a certain amount of relevant experience before you start your course. Universities are required to make sure that students are fully prepared and suitable for their practice placements and may therefore ask you to supply an authenticated testimonial from a social worker to the effect that you already meet the requirements concerning preparation for assessed practice. The university will give you guidance on what is required.

Next steps

Consult the Course Finder for a full list of universities and colleges that offer social work programmes.
Do you have any questions? Try our Q&A section.
See our feature for information on how to apply, writing your personal statement, interview preparation and bursary rates.
Use our Links section to access social work and social care organisations.
And don't forget to check out the Volunteering section.

Back to Getting Started: Social Work