The written task, interview and Observed Group Discussion play a key role in the admissions process for Social Work. They enable us to assess criteria set by Social Work England to determine suitability for study, and they give us the chance to meet you and find out more about your motivation to study Social Work. They also give you the chance to meet us, and for you to find out more about the experience you can look forward to as a Social Work student at Kent.
The following elements all need to be completed before a final decision can be reached:
This is a timed online assessment; you will have 45 minutes to read the presented article/news piece relevant to Social Work and answer a question based on this. This will be used to assess your communication skills, ability to express your ideas in written form, your awareness of issues relating to Social Work as well as your ability to navigate IT systems.
Please try and write as full an answer as you can, avoiding the use of bullet-points or providing an answer that is too short (below 200 words). Although the University of Kent recognises that AI tools can be valuable in learning and preparing for tests, please note that using AI to generate content to answer the Social Work written task is not allowed. The content of the submitted task must be your own work.
You will have received an email with an access link and log in details for the online assessment. You should complete the assessment as soon as possible and before your selection day. You can complete it at any time of day that suits you but please do not access the test itself until you are ready to start as you only get one attempt.
If you are normally allocated additional time for written exams, please email us at tests@kent.ac.uk to request additional time allocation for the online assessment.
If you have any questions or access issues, please email tests@kent.ac.uk.
The individual Interview lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and is conducted by a member of the social work academic team (who may be accompanied by a social worker from one of our partner local authorities). You will be asked a number of questions during the interview. These will focus on your motivation to become a social worker, what relevant paid/voluntary or personal experiences inform your understanding of the profession, initial awareness of social issues and professional values and finally, your readiness for higher education study.
In preparation for the interview, it might be beneficial to access the following resources:
You might also find it informative to read specific articles that highlight social issues and experiences of discrimination in society.
You can do your own research or access the suggested reading below:
Tips on working with parents of children in care - Community Care
Tips for social workers on cultural competence
Safeguarding adults with dementia: top tips
Care experienced children disproportionately criminalised - Community Care
Facts about refugees - Refugee Action
If you need to request adjustment or additional support for this activity, please contact interviews@kent.ac.uk in advance.
The Observed Group Discussion lasts a maximum of 45 minutes and is based on a group of candidates (maximum of 8) coming together to discuss a given case scenario and follow up questions. The OGD is observed by one Partnership Initiative group member (people with lived experience of social work) and a member of the social work academic team. It is up to the group of candidates to initiate the discussion on the case scenario and take it in turns to express their ideas.
You will be given time to read the case study and make notes if needed before the discussion starts. The purpose of the group activity is to help us assess the following:
After the group discussion you will be asked two follow up questions put together by people with lived experience of social work.
If you need to request adjustment or additional support for this activity, please contact interviews@kent.ac.uk in advance.
As part of the admissions process for the BA Social Work course, you will need to complete, sign and return the forms below.
These requirements are consistent with those set by Social Work England.
Any disclosures made will enable us to make considered decisions and will not automatically exclude anyone from being accepted on to the course. This information is kept in accordance with GDPR.
Please scan/take a photo of the completed forms and return them to interviews@kent.ac.uk:
Declaration forms need to be returned to us as soon as possible ahead of your selection day.
Please provide a scanned copy of your original GCSE English Language certificate or equivalent, (unless you are taking these in the current year) to interviews@kent.ac.uk.
If you are normally allocated additional time for written exams, please email tests@kent.ac.uk to request additional time allocation for the online assessment.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to your Individual Interview and/or Observed Group Discussion, please contact us in advance at interviews@kent.ac.uk.
