I have test/interview next week with Middlesex University. I have done everything possible - reading books, article, revising maths, practising for interview.... But I really appreciate if anyone could tell me about real experience in there. And what should I particularly expect and prepare for?
Any idea would be so valuable for me now. This is the University I always dream for
Kim
Hello Kim,
I have not actually had a interview in Middlesex but i have had other interviews this year and they both involved responding to case studies and answering questions about how a social worker would deal with certain situations. Then i have had an individual interview which i was asked questions about: why do i want to be a social worker? what could i bring to the group in university? social workers have power, but how? whats in the media etc. if you read through some of the other blogs on here there will be lots of questions which will help you with what to expect.
Anyway good luck with it, im sure you will be fine just be yourself! also prepare for all of the basic questions such as why social work? what is a social work? oppression, anti-discrimination, whats in the media etc. hope this helps!
Kirstie :)
thanks a lot Kirstie. That would be really useful for me. Tommorow will be my day. I'm so nervous now. thanks a lot. Kim.
Hi, I haven't had an interview @ Middlesex either. In terms of tests it is good to read questions thoroughly and make a plan so you can structure. With the interview common questions include:
Why social work?
Why this university?
What could you bring to the profession?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
How will you remain professional in terms of studying?
What possible challenges can you see within the degree?
How do you deal with stress?
Can you name some types of discrimination?
What are the skills/values of a social worker?
These are the types of questions I had at my interview. Hope this helps & good luck!!
Hello Kim
I'm new to this site and I'm in the same situation as you were in when you posted your message about your test/interview. How did you get on?
My selection day is in 10 days and is going to comprise of a maths and literacy test as well as a group and individual interview. Is there any help you can give me from the experience you had. Specifically, what the literacy test might involve.
Thanks
Adrian
HI Adrian
Yes I had test/interview with MDX last year. so I could give you some experience which, I hope, will help you.
If they are going to use the same format like last year, you will be expected to do the following thing:
the day was devided into 2 parts: part 1: written Math and Essay. Part 2: Group discussion and interview. You have to pass the part 1 to go to part 2. if you fail part 1, your day will end there - you fail.
Part1: You will start with written tests - Math(45min) and Essay(45min). Regarding Math, it was not difficult, just very basic about sum, division, %. mutilply, using charts, etc. I am good at math so I didnt find any problem and I actually achieved 100% for this test. if you have problem with math (as lots of candidates failed on this test on that day), you need to revise math seriously. After Math, you were given a topic to write about. I know that they had used the same topic for many years. I am not sure if they are going to use it again for this year. The topic is "please write about a situation where you help somebody". They had really high expectation for this essay. They expected a proper academic writting about social work. Your essay should have a proper structure: opening, main content and conclusion. Grammar and spelling were seriously taken into account. I got some friends who were candidates and failed on this. These failed would get feedbacks on why they had failed. I found the following things you need to take into account to avoid mistakes which might fail you:
1. COnfidentiality: the personal information should be kep confidential i.e no name, no specific place, you should name somebody A, some place with B for example.
2. When you write about how you help somebody (as personal or professional), you should write about how you listen to their views, wishes and help them based on their wishes, taking into account you obligations, law, etc. These are very central to social work values.
3. You need to relate to other values of social work such as involvement (involve them in making decision for themselves), empowerment (support them to help themselves),
4. you should reflect at the end that if there is anything you find you could have done any different/better.
I have stressed a lot of importance on this test as more than half of candidates failed on this on my day and didnt even have chance to know what the part 2 was gonna like.
Part2: I cant recall right now about what happened during this part. I didnt do it very well. therefore, I failed. I will write to you more about this part later, hopefully before your selection day.
There were about 30 candidates (both BSc and MA) on my day, only 12 went to the part 2 and just 5 got the places at the end. Just to let you know how competitive it is. They run 2 selection day every month from now until next September. Last year, they received 1500 application and offered only 90 places.
I am lucky to have a place with another Uni which I find even better for me. I really enjoy the course.
Hope you are doing well. Best lucks. Let me know how you are getting on.
KIm
Thanks for replying so quickly, that's really kind of you. Your detailed reply was exactly the sort of help that I needed. Whether they use the same format or not, you have given me food for thought and a structure for my preparation. I'll let you know how I get on. What university did you go to by the way? I've also applied for East London (&Tav), LSB and Goldsmiths. Unfortunately the funding conditions have changed for Goldsmiths this year which means that as Im a postgrad already I will be charged as an international student (I'm from London). I was offered an interview but I'm not going to attend as I dont want to add financial to academic pressure during the course of the programme.
Have a fab eve : )
I am now with University of East London. I also had interview/test with Southbank and got a place with them. So in case you need any information regarding interview/test at Southbank I will be happy to give you some. Yeah I know, Gold Smith applied international fee for those who have had MA degree. I applied last year and got a letter from them saying the same. I have had a MA degree as well, therefore, I didnt go for interview with Gold Smith.
Middlesex was always my first choice/favorite because of its high ranking in social work courses. But University of East London is surprisingly good to me.
Good decisions make for contented lives and it sounds like UEL was a good decision for you. I loved the time I spent I UEL. It is by far, the best university experience that I've had. I studied for a BSc Psychology at the Stratford campus and loved the department and the level of support I was given. In contrast, I'm currently at the Institute of Psychiatry and although the institution has a greater reputation, I have found that doesn't necessarily translate to positive experience. For this reason, Middx would not be my 1st choice (it would be 3rd out of 3).
Can you tell me why you chose UEL over Southbank? If I'm lucky I might find myself in the same position as you with a choice between those 2 universities. I live in South London and about 40 mins from from the LSB campus, so for the convenience of travelling, LSB would be an ideal choice. Although, as I've already mentioned, my experience with UEL has been very positive. If I were to choose UEL, however, the journey into East London and up to Swiis Cottage would increase my journey time by approx 1hr & 20 mins a day and dramatically increase the cost of travelling. At the moment all I can do is think ahead and weigh up the pros and cons but I'm always happy to be informed by other people's experience.
Have a good day!
Well. it seems that I spoke too soon! I've just been informed via UCAS that my application to LSB has been unsucessful. Lol... I have more than enough qualifications but experience is the sticking point for me. I'm a teacher with a lot of transferrable skills and knowledge but not enough specific practical experience!
Hi Student,
It's refreshing to hear from a student at the UEL.
Could you tell me more about what is good in this university?
It would help me a lot in my choice. Thanks.
To be honest Kim I cannot understand why they put so much emphasis on maths. I qualified in 1994 and have worked in the field since then and I have never had to use maths except in the basic sense of accessing benefits for service users etc., Of course good written skills and report writing are essential to all social workers but maths?!
Hi I am having my interview at Middlesex in March. I am surprised that they have offered me an interview as three uni's have already said no to me. This includes LSB. I have wrote to LSB and tried to call them to find out why I didnt make it to the interview stage and have heard nothing back. I also have done the same for Solent uni which also declined me. Bournemouth uni said no but a letter arrived tin the post the next day explaining why and what they thought I could do to improove my chances. Im realy frustrated with bith Solent uni and LSB uni for not bothering to give me any feedback on my application. How are you suppse to improove your chances in the future if you dont know what to improove?!!
I am still waiting to hear back from Kingston. Has anyone had an interview there? or does anyone do the cousre there? What is it like?
Rehgarding the essay for middlesex uni: When you say they would like you to write an essay on helping somebody- what sort of task are are they looking for? Can anybody who has written on this topic before possibly give some examples of things they have written about? I know I will have examples but I cant think of anything suitable at present!!
I've had my interview/test with Middlesex on Saturday 6th of March..... Just wanted to find out when yours is so I can tell you exactly what happens on the day
Thank you for your desire to help others
My is coming up in April 2010. Any help form you about the questions and how to prepare for it
Please can anyone who has had an interview with middlesex help with the inerview questions
Ehis
Is this interview for social work?
Hi everyone im new to this site and have an interview at london south bank and haven't really been given much informationso im quite confused and just wanted to know if anyone has attended an interview at lsb it would be very helpful
Jamz
i have an interview this month on the 24th of april 2010. it my first time of been called for an interview and i was wondering if anyone has done an interview for social work degree. i really need to know what i should study for. this is my one and only chance. please help anyone. thanks you
Hi,
I can't remember now but I don't think I got tested for Maths.
They are looking for people with potential where the BA is concerned. Don't worry about the nitty gritty things such as legislation etc. At the interview they will ask questions like : Why social work? And all the classics, just speak about your experiences and be confident in your answers. I got in through clearing (3 of us got in out of 18 on the day).
There will be an essay (written assessment), the questions is decribe the ideal social worker, well that was my one but i'm sure something like that will come up.
I don't know what else to say really but LSBU has a nice, down to Earth feeling about the Uni and SW staff too.
All the best.
SJ
Hi SJ,
That sounds like a good idea and I would definitely work with your advice. I also have the test and interview on the 24th of this month, I just dont understand the maths path but hopefully will pull thru.
Any more ideas would be great.
Cheers,
Nessa.
Yes
MA Social Work
How was your interview? I am having one at the end of the month. I am very nervous about it
Please can you help me with the interview tips
Hey, I also have an interview/test at middlesex on the 24th and im so nervous as its my first interview!Does anyone have any tips or hints about the day, the sort of questions they ask in the interviews?Any help is very much appreciated! Thanks!Sarah
hey got an interview for middlesex on the same date. Done practise test for maths and been reading some of the books of the list but i'm in the same boat. Not really sure what is to be expected. any help would be great :)
Did any of you finally get in at Middlesex? I heard it's a very good uni that boasts of 100% graduate employment rate.
I have my interview on friday at southback just wonderin if you can give me any advise as this is last choice as others have been succesful. We have been given a pre interview questionare also would they ask questions on that
Don't stress over it too much firstly as the LSBU staff team are really friendly people.
I don't know about the pre interview aspects as I got in through clearing. Be prepared to write an essay style answer for a question that addresses the skills of a social worker (might be different now).
Read up on relevant policy and legislation as well as recent issues in social care such as cutbacks.
The answers you give don't necessarily need to be full of SW knowledge in any way as at LSBU they want to see whether or not you are social worker material.
Be honest and genuine with them.
All the best,
Sorry that wasn't the best reply to you, out of the unis Middlesex, Goldsmiths, UEL and Southbank, I think UEL and LSBU appealed to me more.
I would recommend LSBU although you may think i'm biased, you would be surprised at how much some student whinge over the most trivial of issues.
Hi!
Are you at LSB?? I have a place for next year and I really liked the Uni. I have to make up my mind my mid January. My first choice was Middlesex but they have not sent me the interview date yet. They told me I have been shortlisted but have not heard anything.
if you are at LSB, could you please let me know what do you think??
many thanks
Pilar
hi, I have an interview with middlesex next week, can anyone pls tell me what the process is? Am soo stressed about the unknown. Thank you
Jus want to know how your interview went with middlesex? i will be having my soon. Any ideas/help? Thank you
The interview was not very difficult. They ask about what can you bring to the profession. What have you read in preparatiion, so through all the antidriscriminatory practice, community care, social workers, all the books and journal related to social work.
They also asked if I had an area that I will find a little difficult to work with. So tell them something but added about the self reflective practice, they like.
It was quite relaxed interview, with one person only.
i hope you get the place.
Hi to those who had interviews at Middlesex.
Just wondering if you have found out wether you have been offered a place or not yet as you did the interviews a while ago.
I had my interview at middlesex yesterday and they said I should find out by the 20th March.
xx
Hi Jess, I went for my Assessment yesterday. Pls can you tell me what the interview was like? Like questions they ask and stuffs. thanx
Hi candiadofo,
have you passed the tests?
They were extremely friendly at the interview, the interview was more of a discussion than being asked questions. There was only one interviewer as well.
I can't remember the particular questions (I was so nervous!) but I had to talk about alot of senario's I'd experienced in my work experience so I say to try and think of as many difficult or positive situations you've had at work. There was only one question about reading/theory so you could definately get away with just reading one thing (can be news article, journal, book chapter).
It was really relaxed and I I think if you just be yourself you'll be fine. They seem like they really appreciate people who are easy to talk to and have a good sense of humour etc.
Jess
Hi Jess, I'm waiting to hear from them, unfortunately 4 me, i was not able to finish both the maths and essay. Hopefully i have done moree than enough to make it. Hope u get in.