Hi People - I had my MA interview yesterday for Central Lancashire. The interview was supposed to be an hour long group interview. It lasted 35 minutes. We were given an article to read 10 days before the interview and asked to study it as it would be discussed at interview. In the interview it was not even mentioned. It was thought that I did not participate enough. It was also thought that I lack experiance to study at Masters level. I have a 2:1 Philosophy degree and I mentor looked after children. I am shocked and really sad about it. The Course Tutor boldly said that " only the poor have dealings with social services" ....how narrow minded is that? I have applied for the degree in social work now because I really want to be a social worker. Totally gutted - what are your thoughts on this???

Hi thephilosopher,  That's really tough. I had an interview at Central Lancs earlier in the year and we did begin the interview by discussing the article, but soon moved on to a more general Social Work discussion. I felt as though I had spent a lot of time studying and analysing the article in preparation for the interview and it wasn't covered in any great depth so I can understand your disappointment and frustration. However, I did find that the preparation came in useful generally for the discussions. Have you applied anywhere else? I know there is always the chance of clearing at the end of the process if you haven't got a place - even for the Post Grad courses I think. From what you have said, it sounds as though you have the right entry criteria and plenty of relevant experience too so may be it was more about the number places they had left rather than anything personal. I'm sure everything will work out for you even if it means doing the BA, but good luck!!!

Hi thephilospher. I was rejected from one university and I wasn't offered an interview. In the letter they said they were impressed by my knowledge and reference but thought I lacked experience. When speaking to people who got offered a place at that university they didn't have half the experience I did and acadmically my grades were higher than theirs. I didn't let it bother me because I got offered places elsewhere and got into a top university. Try not to get knocked down by this. You can still apply to other universities through extra on UCAS at the moment. I would ring to see if they have any places though first and you can see what universities (if any) have social work places left in August through clearing on UCAS. If your really passionate about getting on the social work course, which you seem to be, you will get a place so don't worry. Good luck.

 

Hi the philosopher, so sorry about your rejection, i'm sure other universities will accept you and you can always go through clearing.  Some people have been accepted to more than one uni and they will have to choose one university and reject others, so you will definitely get a place, just ring up other university. I definitely think you should study the MA rather than the BA since you have a degree already and 2:1 is a good academic grade.

I got rejected at four universities during my application for masters, it was only my last choice of uni that accepted me.  I got 2:1 in my undergraduate as well.

 

All the best with your application

Sugarbabz x

 

HI and thanks for the reply - just our of interest - did you get offered a place - and what things are covered in a general discussion about social work....I only know alittle about children & families!!

 Hi,

 I have a 2:1 philosophy and also experience as an independent visitor for looked after children for 5 years (possibly at the same place if you're in Lancashire!), in addition to this I only have experience as a learning mentor/ta in a primary school.  I got a place at my only choice which was Manchester, who receive apparently 600 or so applications for 35 places.

So, get reading, I had read everything I could find in the library before attending my interview, and deliberately sought what I didn't know about - work with people with disabilities, mental health, work with people who are older etc  I found Social Work:Themes, Issues and Critical Debates by Adams, Dominelli and Payne a good place to start.  It's available in Preston Harris library if you're in that area.I think of it as applying for a job since it's a vocational course.  Admittedly, you shouldn't know it all before you join the course, but you wouldn't go to a job interview without researching the job!

I imagine the comment of the tutor who said social work only affects poor people was to provoke debate and people to give examples of how the statement isn't true, but also talk about poverty is a common theme amongst many social work clients and whether social work should do more to tackle this on a systems level, rather than just working on an individual level. 

good luck,

 

@ The philospher...my only experience is with children and families, they don't expect you to have all the experience, that's why you're going to study social work-you should inform them during the interview because sometimes they forget (during my interview, a girl was about to be rejected because of her lack of experience but one of the interviewer fought for the student to be offered a place due to her academic grade-2:1 and the lecturer said 'we don't expect the student to have all the experience, hence, she was offered a place). 

 

 I totally agree with Ariom, you definitely need to study/prepare for the interview and also you need to know how to link your experience to social work. I  prepared for my interview within a week.

@ Ariom- I'm about to start my studying, hopefully i will be ok by Sept

Hi,

I'm wondering when you applied, as your interview was late in the year. I was warned by a Salford lecturer to apply as early as possible. I also went to the UCLAN group discussion earlier in the year and everyone that went, was offered a place...I know because I was the last person to be told out of the group (the lecturer also confirmed this). Again, similarily, we didn't discuss the sheet we were sent. I can only imagine that you were unlucky because they had given away too many offers. I do have quite a lot of experience, but some of the other applicants didn't.

You should def try extra if it's still available and clearing when the time comes.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you this year. Let us know if you can.

 

Can you believe it - I have applied for the BA after being turned down for the MA and the addmissions department have arranged me to have another MA interview this tuesday.....is this a mistake???

They must still have some spaces...

good luck with the interview... at least you'll know exactly what to expect!