The Student Room Group

What A-levels should I do to become a social worker?

I want to be a social worker in the future and I've already been looking at things like step up to social work but I have no idea what a level I should do before heading to uni any advice would be appreciated I was thinking about health and social but the rest I'm not too sure about
Original post by Zoe Smyth
I want to be a social worker in the future and I've already been looking at things like step up to social work but I have no idea what a level I should do before heading to uni any advice would be appreciated I was thinking about health and social but the rest I'm not too sure about


Most courses won't have any specific subject requirements so choose A levels that you will enjoy and so will get good grades. Have a look at the entry requirements for some courses - for example:

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/social-work-ba-hons-l500/2025/#course-entry
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-policy/social-work#EntryRequirementsTab

Consider A levels such as sociology and/or psychology too.
Reply 2
Original post by normaw
Most courses won't have any specific subject requirements so choose A levels that you will enjoy and so will get good grades. Have a look at the entry requirements for some courses - for example:
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/social-work-ba-hons-l500/2025/#course-entry
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/social-policy/social-work#EntryRequirementsTab
Consider A levels such as sociology and/or psychology too.


Thank you so much I'll look into it now
Reply 3
I did health and social care, psychology and applied law, which I’ve personally thought was a great combo. I didn’t like the idea of sociology, and wanted to have a mix of btecs and a levels. My only thing is I wish I had the option to do philosophy, ethics and religious studies instead of law- but I don’t regret law at all.

It’s quite lucky with social work there are no specific entry requirements subject wise- EXCEPT, in your interviews you need a broad, detailed and practical knowledge about a lot of info re working in social care, social work, professional regulatory bodies and their purposes, case studies etc.

I really relied on HSC for my social work interview- you can’t get much more of a relevant course at a level- and it is so so incredibly easy (in comparison to other subjects). You said you wanted to do HSC- if I was you, do that, and then pick 2 you love/ find interesting in general- as HSC is more than suffice to demonstrate the majority of the background info you need before research for social work interviews.

Consider if you want a bachelors or masters in social work. If you want a masters, and do an undergrad in something else first e.g., psychology, b at in mind that in your subject choices too- as it’s not recommended to do both a masters and bachelors in social work due to repetitiveness and lack of significant gain.

Hope this helps
Reply 4
Thank you so much for this, do you think a mix of btecs and A levels helped with the stress of the subjects as for my GCSEs I have gone with a lot of exam based subjects and now regretting what I did because I have multiple exams for all of them; do u think evenly splitting a levels and btecs is a smart move or would like one btec make that difference?

You have been a great help and even just some small insight on your experience has been a massive help, I only know one person that has done further education before but I haven't got to see them so thank you for helping me out!
The obvious A level is Sociology - but you also need 'people experience'.
Reply 6
Original post by Zoe Smyth
Thank you so much for this, do you think a mix of btecs and A levels helped with the stress of the subjects as for my GCSEs I have gone with a lot of exam based subjects and now regretting what I did because I have multiple exams for all of them; do u think evenly splitting a levels and btecs is a smart move or would like one btec make that difference?
You have been a great help and even just some small insight on your experience has been a massive help, I only know one person that has done further education before but I haven't got to see them so thank you for helping me out!


No worries- it personally helped me, because it means you have more variety and all of the pressure isn’t just put on exam content. Coursework gives you more control over your learning and lets your practice skills such as referencing you need at university.

I know my friends have all done things differently, with different combos, some all a levels and some all vocational. My advice is trust your gut, and do what you feel is right. As long as you have one relevant subject (e.g., HSC), you can blag it (depending on uni- check entry requirements before starting 6th form). Ultimately- this is a really difficult 2 years of your life, it’s not easy- don’t make it worse for yourself by picking subjects you hate and don’t need. :smile:)
You could also do btec health and social care lvl 3 diploma which is equivalent to 3 a levels in 1 subject. Im doing it and it will give me enough ucas points to go on to nursing or social working.

Quick Reply