MA Social Work

Congratulations on being invited to interview and assessment.

What is the interview and assessment process?

  • Interviews for this programme will predominantly take place in-person, except in extenuating circumstances.
  • Once you have booked your interview via the Applicant Hub, you will receive details regarding the location of your interview
  • Offers will be based on overall score from interview.

About the interview

If you request an alternative interview date via the Applicant Hub portal, we will try to accommodate this, but it cannot be guaranteed due to the volume of applications we receive. If you are unable to attend on the specified date, and we’re unable to offer an alternative, your application will be withdrawn. Should you wish to cancel your interview, you can do so via the Applicant Hub.

Once you arrive for your interview, please check in at reception and you will be directed to the candidate room.

The assessment day begins at 9.30am with a brief presentation about the MA Social Work programme. You should make yourself available up to 4.00pm, although it is likely that you will be finished earlier than this. You will then complete a written task (35 minutes), a short, observed group work and finally an individual interview (six or seven questions).

You will be assessed by two panel members, a member of the social work teaching team and either a service user or carer or a social work practitioner.

Please ensure that you bring some form of ID with you to the assessment day.  Any form of ID with your signature or a photo ID document will suffice.

Written Task

Both the content and the standard of written English will be assessed. Please let us know before the assessment day if you have any learning needs that may require further time for the written task.

Observed Group Work Discussion

You will be asked to discuss the following question in a small group:

Working collaboratively with other agencies is a key element of contemporary social work practice. What are the benefits and barriers to effective multi-agency working given the current global economic climate, limited resources and increasing demand for support?

The panel are looking for people who can communicate clearly and appropriately in a group context.

Individual Interviews

After the group work task, the panel will allocate you an individual interview time. You are able to ask any questions you might have at the end of the interview. Interviews will take place from late morning and through the day so please ensure that you are available up to 4pm.

What happens after my interview?

  • UCAS will update to show our decision (although we can’t confirm an exact timescale for this, we aim to have this with you as soon as possible).
  • If we make you an offer of a place, all of the conditions and details will be provided in the UCAS notification. UCAS will also confirm the date you must accept or decline the offer by.
  • If you are unsuccessful at interview and would like feedback, please email applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk.

Please note:
We can only accept feedback requests via email.

All offers made are subject to a satisfactory medical examination and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. Additionally, your offer will be made subject to your permission for us to transfer data regarding progress, attendance, placements, discontinuation and withdrawals to relevant third party professional organisations. This compliance is a requirement of the professional award.

Applicants who have been made offers must also follow formal Faculty procedures informing us of any criminal convictions, bind-over orders, cautions, driving offences etc. and further details will be provided after an offer has been made.

Inclusion and Accessibility

If you have any specific access needs or additional support requirements, LJMU’s Student Advice and Wellbeing Disability Team can ensure that the appropriate support is in place. If you would like discuss your needs and how we can meet them in the most appropriate way, please contact us (in confidence) by calling 0151 231 3164 or 0151 231 3165 or emailing disability@ljmu.ac.uk.

Interview top tips from our Admissions Team

  • Don’t assume the interviewer has read your Personal Statement before your appointment; remember to mention important elements of it to help support your answers.
  • Be prepared to talk about your experiences, interests, skills, qualities and motivations in making the decision to pursue a career as a social worker.
  • Finally, approach your interview with confidence – you have worked hard to get to this point and done well to be selected for interview, so have confidence in yourself.

We look forward to meeting you.