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You’ll benefit from a range of stimulating learning opportunities. Taught by our academic faculty, practitioners and experts by experience, you’ll also get to work with service-users and carers.
You’ll work within a supportive study environment. This will help you develop crucial skills for independent and collaborative learning.
Learn from people influencing social care. We work with local social welfare agencies on joint projects. These include development, training and research initiatives.
The MA in Social Work is a generic social work qualification. This means you’ll gain knowledge in a wide range of areas, ready to work in practice contexts that support, among others:
vulnerable children, young people and families
adults and older people
people experiencing mental health, disability, substance use or homelessness challenges
asylum seekers and refugees.
When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to work with other professionals and agencies such as the police, schools, healthcare providers, probation services, care home facilities and community centres.
MA or PGDip?
We also offer this course as afull-time PGDip over 19 months. The PGDip doesn’t include the research methods training and dissertation of the MA.
Accreditation
Approved by Social Work England (SWE) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with SWE as a social worker in England. Find out more
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
You should have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please select your country from the list.
Argentina
Degree requirements
Licenciado/Titulo with a minimum final mark of at least 6.0-7.0 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Australia
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Azerbaijan
Degree requirements
Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Bahrain
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 2.5/4.0 (Grade C+).
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Bangladesh
Degree requirements
A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.2/4.0
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Brazil
Degree requirements
Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a minimum final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Brunei
Degree requirements
Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second class lower division or CGPA 2.7/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Canada
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (grade B).
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Chile
Degree requirements
Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 4.5-5.0/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
China
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 65%-70% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels.
As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Colombia
Degree requirements
Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad’ and a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Cyprus
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Denmark
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 7 (Fair Performance).
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Ecuador
Degree requirements
Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 15/20.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Egypt
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree from a university with a minimum overall grade of at least 70%.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
France
Degree requirements
Licence with mention assez bien or Maîtrise with a minimum final mark of at least 12.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Germany
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a minimum final mark of 2.7 or better.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Ghana
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree from a public university with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Greece
Degree requirements
Ptychion from an AEI with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Hong Kong
Degree requirements
Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
India
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 50-65% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Indonesia
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 2.8/4.0.
Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Iran
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a minimum final mark of at least 14.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Italy
Degree requirements
Diploma di Laurea with a minimum overall mark of at least 101.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Japan
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Jordan
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or 75%.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Kazakhstan
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of 3.5/5 or CGPA 3.0/4
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Kenya
Degree requirements
Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Kuwait
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or B.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Lebanon
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or 13/20.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Malawi
Degree requirements
Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Malaysia
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.7/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Mexico
Degree requirements
Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Nepal
Degree requirements
A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Nigeria
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CGPA of at least 2.8-2.99/4.0, 3.0-3.49/5.0, or 4.0-4.6/7.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Norway
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall grade of C.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Oman
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Pakistan
Degree requirements
Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university.
Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Palestine
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum of at least 70% or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Paraguay
Degree requirements
Bachelors with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Peru
Degree requirements
Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 12/20 from a public university or 14/20 from a private university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Philippines
Degree requirements
Masters degree with a minimum of 1.75/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.5/4.0
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Qatar
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall CPGA of at least 2.8 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Russia
Degree requirements
Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Saudi Arabia
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/5.0 or 2.8/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Singapore
Degree requirements
Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CAP 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
South Africa
Degree requirements
Bachelors (honours) degree with a minimum second-class division 2.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
South Korea
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 3.0/4.5 or 2.8/4.3 or B.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Spain
Degree requirements
Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 2/4 or 6/10.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Sri Lanka
Degree requirements
Bachelors Special degree with a minimum lower second honours.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Switzerland
Degree requirements
Licence or Diplôme with a minimum 4.5/6 or 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Taiwan
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 65%-75% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Thailand
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.5 -2.8/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Turkey
Degree requirements
Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.6 - 2.8/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
United Arab Emirates
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
USA
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Uzbekistan
Degree requirements
Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 70%.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Vietnam
Degree requirements
Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.5/4.0 or 6.5/10.
As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both proof of graduation in addition to your transcript.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Zambia
Degree requirements
Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Zimbabwe
Degree requirements
Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
Please note
Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.
My country is not listed
If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us
Subject-specific requirements
Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component).
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS
You will need to share your results with the University of Sussex.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
Advanced level (75 overall, including at least 70 in each component).
LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert Academic SELT
We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.
We do not accept the online version. We also do not accept the non-SELT version.
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
International ESOL SELT C1 with a minimum of 33 in each component.
LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT
We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.
Pearson (PTE Academic)
Advanced level (67 overall, including at least 62 in all four skills).
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)
We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
TOEFL (iBT)
Advanced level (95 overall, including at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 24 in Writing).
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)
We accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 5, including at least 4 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 80%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 80%
We will also accept the Indian Secondary School Certificate at the grade below when awarded by the following examination boards, but these State Board results must have been completed within 6 years of the start date of the course at Sussex:
Tamil Nadu; Karnataka; Delhi; Maharashtra; and West Bengal - English: 80%
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A - C in English language
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exempt countries:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
The British Overseas Territories
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
English language support
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course
Yes. All candidates offered a place on the course will be required to satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course is confirmed. International students will additionally be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Health check
Yes. A satisfactory health declaration must be completed before you start the course. We will send a form for you to complete.
Yes. We are looking for applicants who have direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/carers or adults, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, ideally with at least 6 months full-time (or equivalent) work experience.
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.
There are so many different places you can work with and different types of people you can meet on placements, which is really interesting – and it gives you so much experience of the job.”Elena Campbell and Morgan Chukwunyelum Okonkwo Social Work MA
Morgan: I would definitely have to say my favourite thing about my course is... the amount of... international students that we have. It’s quite... I think it’s almost the majority of our course and it brings all these new perspectives to social work because they... come from places where social work is not necessarily... prevalent in their communities. And so, they have all these different experiences... beforehand coming here, and then they want to... engage in social work, and it’s... just really nice to see.
Elena: My favourite thing about the course is sort of the vast variety of placements that there are. It’s quite different doing social work because you are on placement for a lot of the... [umm] time that you’re there. So there’s so many different places that you can work with and different types of people that you can meet as well on those placements which is really, really interesting, and it gives you so much experience of the job... that social work will be when you qualify. And one of the things I really, really like as well is the support from the staff, and we have tutors, and they are fantastic. You can go to them with anything that you might need, and they’re really, really helpful, and there for you throughout the whole time.
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
You complete 200 practice development days (placements and practice development workshops). These specialist placement and learning pathways give you experience of child and family as well as adult social work. They draw on our excellent partnerships with health and social care organisations, professionals and experts by experience:
170 days in two social work placements – both the 70-day placement and the 100-day placementare undertaken in agencies providing social work-related services, including statutory social work in local authority settings. Placements are organised in partnership with the South Coast Regional Centre for Social Work Education (SCRC). Find out more about this pioneering social work education partnership
30 days of Practice Development Workshops delivered by experienced practitioners, academic faculty and experts by experience (service users and carers).
How are students supported in their learning? – Dr Reima Ana Maglajlic
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these
modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to
our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure
of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or
options may differ from what’s shown here.
American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement/internship in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits
Additional costs
Note about additional costs
Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.
Travel to and from placements
This course includes two placements. If you receive an NHS bursary for your studies, you pay for any travel to placements. If you don't get an NHS bursary, you may receive the NHS Placement Travel Allowance as a fixed contribution towards reasonable travel costs (if you meet residency and other eligibility criteria). If you incur any travel costs carrying out the business of an agency, the agency will reimburse you.
DBS check and health assessment
The University subsidises the mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Health assessment, with no cost to the student.
Criminal record certificate
International students will be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants
Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.
of Sussex postgraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)
Supporting people to make significant life choices as well as promoting human rights, wellbeing and social change is a special position to be in. The role of a social worker is varied and rewarding.
This enables you to gain knowledge and skills that will make you highly employable.
Graduate destinations
There continues to be a demand for social workers locally and nationally. Some of our Social Work graduates have even gone on to work in Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia.
Recent Social Work graduates who completed placements in children and family settings have started jobs in:
child protection teams
adoption and fostering teams
youth offending services
disability services.
Recent Social Work graduates who completed placements in adults settings have started jobs in:
hospital social work
mental health social work
drugs and alcohol social work.
Many graduates pursue learning through continuing professional development courses and progress to take leadership roles in the profession.
(Department of Social Work and Social Care careers database)
What are the employment options for Social Work MA graduates? – Dr Reima Ana Maglajlic
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community
consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club,
Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for
future interviews
entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
