[Tartarus]

When i went for the exercise there were alot of people there and they said they had done morning and afternoon sessions on 2 days so im assuming there must have been loads of applicants. I feel quite lucky as I only applied for the course 2 weeks before the exercise so i must have just gotten in before the deadline.

Im not sure as to what they do before the course starts...it would be good to have an indroduction prior to the course starting so we can get to know things more.

So Daniel and Tatty what made you apply for the course? Daniel you mentioned you had a degree, do you also Tatty and if you dont mind me asking what in?
I have a degree in Law from Staffordshire although if im honest I hated it....far to much law for my liking! I volunteered at Age Concern throughout my degree and absolutely loved it, was able to see lots of roles in the sector, I applied on the course when I finished uni but didnt get on and got to comfortable with my job and its only since being on maternity leave that ive really wanted to do it again.

[Tatty01]

I've got a degree in Economics and Politics and an MSc in Urban Policy and Regeneration.

I've been working at Councils in the North east in economic development but have been considering a career change for a while. So this year I bit the bullet and decided to apply to Northumbria. I live in Heaton so Coach lane campus is ideal for me and I could walk (if I wasn't feeling to lazy!!) Tartarus, where about do you live, in Newcastle too?

XXX

[Tartarus]

Well good for you, I work in a shop but if Id had a more serious job I wouldnt have had the guts to apply. I hate my job and having my little boy has just given me the push to try and get out...worked there for two years complaining about it but never bothered looking at any jobs lol!

Yeah Im from Gateshead, I live right by Felling metro so im just going to be hopping on the metro cause the walk from the metro to campus is only like 5minutes.

I hope we get our letters this week, I want to apply for the bursary etc as soon as possible. Ive already put my name on the waiting list for nurseries but it still doesnt feel real without the letter.

Are you originally from Newcastle?

[Tatty01]

I think going back to uni is hard for anyone, especially when you have a little one!

I've been thinking about social work for ages, but only had the guts to apply this year. I'm glad I did I'm really pleased I got accepted!

I got an email today saying we should get the letters soon?

Yeah I'm originally from Newcastle too, you?

[Danielm86]

I did Sociology BA at Newcastle.. Managed to scrape a 2.1 through my dissertation about youth subculture which kind of sparked my interest in Social Work. Have been working as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities for Kingston Council since Nov 08 which has been really good experience as its involved a lot of direct work with Social Workers. Also done nearly 4 years of volunteering with youth offenders and about to start a new job in Yorkshire with children with behaviour problems/ld (bit cheeky to do that knowing about the MA but I have to leave London as I will have nowhere to live soon!).
I got the email too today which was a relief, I agree with feeling lucky after seeing how many we're at the test and hearing there was other groups doing it! Feel vindicated though as I didn't get in at Goldsmiths 2 years ago.. It's not been the right time to apply until now because of life circumstances but I'm so happy to be heading back to the northeast! Hopefully going to find somewhere nice to live in the County Durham area.

[Tartarus]

I got the email aswell wondering what the conditions will be.

Yes Im from Newcastle, went to university in Staffordshire and really wanted to move to Manchester after i finished uni but ended moving home and now I dont think i could face leaving Newcastle again.

Daniel you were in the exercise session, surely you didnt have to come up from London for the exercise and then the interview? I thought they would have scheduled them on the same day if you lived far away.

I think itll just be difficult to get back in the swing of things, its been ages since I did any sort or essay or assignment and the exercise to get on the course was terrible what I wanted to say and what I was writing down just didnt match.

[Danielm86]

2 of the questions on the exam seemed to be asking more or less the same thing and I felt like I was just repeating myself! It was pretty challenging to read a 25 page article and then answer 3 questions in the time given
I had noticed they said if you came more than 100 miles you could do exam and interview in the same day but would seem a bit unfair as it suggests you're guaranteed an interview if you had come that distance?! I didn't want to push it and managed to combine the exam with a week off.. Was a bit of a stress on coming up specifically for the interview especially as mine was at 10am so had to come up after work and stay at my sisters and got kept awake most of the night by her guinea pig! I really thought it had gone so badly aswell I really wrote off my chances.
I am nervous about the academic stuff.. Bought a book called 'understanding social work' but can't quite bring myself to start it yet!

[Tartarus]

Ive just recieved my letter, the conditions are to obtain: social work practise reference, satisfatory health check, CRB check, meet the GSCC requirements and obtain a bursary.

So I assume I just go about doing these things and send proof to the uni? All pretty straight forward although I dont really know what a Social Work practise reference is? Would it be from a volunteer source providing proof that ive volunteered in the sector or is it something different?

[Tartarus]

Well Ive just heard back from the uni.......yes i emailed straight away to ask about the offer I was that excited to get it sorted!

Theyve said that they will be intouch later with regard to health check and CRB. Just have to complete the GSCC form and return it via email and the reference is to confirm voluntary work which have to do ourself mine was along time ago so Ive started the search for the relevant person.

Very excited now

[Danielm86]

I got mine too, do we have to get clearence from GCSC before we can apply for bursaries? Couldn't see the postgrad application form on social work bursaries website, just guidance notes. They asked for references from my employers before the exam so don't know whether they need another one! Anyway, was just good to get that official letter..

[Tatty01]

Hi Daniel and Tartarus

I've sent an email accepting my conditional offer too. My letter is asking for academic and employment references - I thought they already had this? I'm going to telephone and check.

I've also filled in the form they sent by email and will post email/back tomorrow.

Tatty xxx

[Tartarus]

Im not sure Daniel this is the email I received


Hi Kerrie,


CRB, Bursary and Health check will be carried out in due course although I will need to receive the GSSC form back (by email would be fine with a typed signature).

A social work practice reference would be from someone you have undertaken work experience for such as in the social work/care field.

Thanks

Matt


So ive taken it to assume that they contact you with regard to the bursary etc, I had a little look on the bursary website and the forms look pretty straight forward unless you need to apply for means tested parts. Just want to get it sorted to sit and work out things. Daniel you'll have alot on your plate with such a big move ahead aswell.

So weve all been given pretty much the same offers then. Ive filled in my GSCC form and emailed back and accepted the offer

Tatty I dont know why theyve asked for employment references you would think the ones youve already provided should suffice.

[Danielm86]

Yeah I have heard pretty much the same. Just looking forwards to the day when the offer becomes unconditional as I feel I can't fully commit myself until that point, as you're right, it's a very big move..

[Tatty01]

Hiya

I confirmed with Northumbria they have eventually got all my references and acceptance email.

They said I should now just sit and wait for further correspondence.

Have you both started applying for the bursary, or are supposed to wait?

Thanks tatty xx

[Tartarus]

I havent started to apply yet Im not sure whether we have to wait to get the go ahead of the university or if we jsut do it ourselves. I read on the website we have til November to apply but would rather get it done soon.

The person giving my reference told me theyd sent it to the uni but havent heard anything regarding it yet.

[r010283]

Hello All,

I was hoping you could help I have my entrance exam next week for the course starting next year I have been told there are 5 questions and to read journal articles but thats it !!
I am totally clueless as to what I should be looking for ??
Can you remember any of the question you were asked ??
Also are they looking at how we reference our work ??
I will be eternally greatful as I am absolutely terrible at exams !!

Thank you so much

[Danielm86]

Wow I am surprised they are having another round of exams/interviews! Is that for the January 2013 intake? I think it was 3 questions all related to the journal article they give you to read. No referencing involved, can't remember any specific questions, it all went by in a blur! Good luck

[Tartarus]

Oh so maybe they didnt fill all the spots from our interviews?! I got slightly worried reading this tho....first thought was even more competition but we all have offers so we can chill!

Um all questions were about the article and I only remember that you got marked for how you wrote aswell as on the questions. Agree with Daniel it was a blur, no referencing and I read articles prior to it but tbh dont see how it would have helped. What I will say is use your time carefully.

Good luck

[Tatty01]

Hiya

As Daniel and Tartarus have said the questions just related to the article you were given to to read. I think the advice I would give is to spend equal time on each question.

Also I would do some background work around Social Work.

Good luck, let us know how you get on xx

[Danielm86]

I found it useful to spend 15 minutes at the start skim reading the article and highlighting key points that relate to the questions. Realistically you are not going to be able to read the whole thing as it was about 25 pages of fairly small text and you will probably need to spend around 20 minutes on each question..