Social work asks a lot of the people who do it well: patience, resilience, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to protecting and empowering people at difficult points in their lives. The Access to HE Diploma (Social Work) is the qualification that takes adult returners from where they are now to the start of a social work degree and a career on the Social Work England register.
This Level 3 qualification is awarded by Open Awards, a QAA-recognised Access Validating Agency. It is specifically for adults aged 19 and over who want to enter a UK social work degree but do not hold the A-Level qualifications traditionally required. UK universities accept the Access to HE Diploma in place of A-Levels for social work degree entry.
Studied 100% online over 9 to 18 months, with no exams. The diploma is fully coursework and portfolio assessed, essays, case studies, reflective journals and a research project across units covering human development, sociology, psychology, safeguarding and the legal and policy framework around social work practice.
Graduates of a social work degree register with Social Work England and can specialise in children and families, adult social care, mental health or youth justice. Local authority newly qualified social workers typically start on salaries of £27,000 to £34,000, with NHS-employed social workers starting on Band 6.
You will be supported throughout by a dedicated subject tutor. Every assignment receives written feedback within 2 working days, with the option to refine and resubmit work to reach the grade you want.
You earn up to 144 UCAS points, equivalent to AAA at A-Level, which meets the entry requirements for most UK social work BA and BSc programmes. Most universities ask for between 96 and 144 points depending on the institution.
Start anytime and pay across 12 monthly instalments. If you have the resilience for social work and the commitment to study, this diploma is the bridge to the career you want.
