Interview pre-work
The following preparation should be completed if you have been invited to interview for the BA (Hons) Social Work programme:
To ensure we can continue to process your application efficiently, we advise that your referee has completed and emailed your second reference form before your interview. Please ensure this comes from your referee’s business/work account. If you are unable to attain a reference before your interview, please continue to make a booking and ask your referee to provide the reference as soon as possible.
For all interviews, we advise you to think about the reasons why you want to study the course you have applied for, and why you are interested in your chosen career path.
We suggest that you do some reading and research in advance in regards to the topic ‘what is the role of social workers in modern society?’ Suggested reading includes:
- Thompson, N. (2016) The Professional Social Worker: meeting the challenge. Palgrave MacMillian.
- www.communitycare.co.uk. This website discusses current social work issues.
- The Guardian newspaper ‘society section’.
We advise you to think about your personal commitment to Social Work and its core values. See the relevant links supplied in the message from our Admissions Tutor.
Take a detailed look at the University of Plymouth’s website, as well as the professional and regulatory body website for social workers, which will provide you with details and links for preparing your application and how to succeed in your interview.
It is mandatory to complete the three health declaration forms prior to your interview. Failure to do so may affect the process of your application. Please complete these forms in full and prior to your chosen interview date and return to applications@plymouth.ac.uk
For your online interview please ensure you have with you:
- A form of photo identification such as your passport or driving license. We will not be able to complete your interview without this.
- Pen and paper should you wish to make notes
Our interviewing tutor will send you a link to your zoom meeting by emailing you. Where possible our tutors will contact you 24 hours before your interview.
Our BA (Hons) Social work interview sessions will run from 08:45 until 16:15 so please ensure that you are available to join the session at 08:45. Your interviewing tutor will send a link to the zoom session via email, and you will receive this at least 24 hours ahead of the interview session.
Our interview sessions will start with a Welcome and Programme introduction, with a group interview to follow.
After the group interview you will then be given an individual interview time slot between 10:00 and 15:30. You will be allocated your time slot following the group interview and will not need to wait on zoom for the full day.
All individual interview lasts for approximately 30 minutes.
You can access Zoom via your web browser. However, if you would prefer to install the programme ahead of your interview, you can do so by visiting the Zoom website.
If you have not used Zoom before, please visit their Help Centre FAQs to familiarise yourself with the software.
After your interview
The decision to offer places is based on your performance in all the above alongside both your references and original application.
If you are successful at interview and are made a conditional offer, as part of your offer you will need to complete a DBS and Occupational Health check. If you do not pass these checks satisfactorily, you will not be able to start a course with us. For more information on how to complete these checks, please visit our Health and Human Sciences - additional checks page.
FAQs
How do I book my interview?
Upon successful submission of your application, you will be sent an email with a unique link to our online booking system. You can use our online system to select an interview date that best suits your availability.
If you have not received this email, please be sure to check your junk or clutter folders.
What if I need to reschedule my interview after I have booked onto one?
You can change, move or reschedule your interview at any stage using the online booking system.
If you are unable to attend any of the dates shown, then please contact our Course Enquiries and Interviews Team by emailing interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk or by calling +44 1752 585858.
What if I have applied for more than one programme?
If you have applied for more than the programme listed, you will require an additional interview for the other course, to establish if you are suitable for that programme.
What happens after my interview?
If you are successful at interview, your offer will be conditional on meeting the academic requirements for the course, satisfactory occupational health and DBS checks. For further information, please visit the Health and Care Professions Council’s website
