Social work degree applications soar

Applications for social work and social care degrees in the UK have continued to rise steeply since February, according to universities admissions body Ucas.

A further 8,000 applications have been received for the full-time undergraduate courses in 2010-11 since the beginning of the year, taking the total to 60,000 in the UK. This is up from 37,000 in 2009-10.

Social work has jumped up a place to become the ninth most popular subject out of more than 180, while nursing remains top of the list with just over 108,000 applicants.

“Applications are up across the board,” said Mary Curnock Cook, chief executive of Ucas. “Young people clearly see higher education as a good option for continued learning and career progression.”

Ucas figures for social work include related degrees such as care, community studies, community work, health studies, social work studies and youth work.

They are not all accredited by the UK’s four care councils, so not all of them will result in students becoming a qualified social worker.

A report from the General Social Care Council, which regulates social work training in England, found there were about five applicants for every three places on social work courses earlier this year.

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