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- Routes into Social Work
- Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Bachelor of Science (BSc) Social Work)
- Masters Degree (Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Science (MA) Social Work)
- Step Up to Social Work (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work)
- Approach Social Work (Masters Degree) (formerly Frontline programme)
- Degree Apprenticeship (BA Social Work)
- Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
- Working in Surrey
Routes into Social Work
Surrey Children’s Services Academy works with different entry routes into the social work profession. Social work is a regulated job. To become a social worker, you must successfully pass an approved degree course. You can find approved courses on the Social Work England website. Each route has its own entry requirements. All routes look for the right skills and experience.
Undergraduate Degree (BA/BSc Social Work)
Requirements:
- English (equivalent GCSE C/4 or above) and
- 3 A levels, grade C or above, Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) or Vocational qualification at Level 3 or an equivalent access qualification for example;
- Access course pass with 60 credits or Advanced (Level 3) Apprenticeship or Applicants with no formal qualifications at Level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) will be set 'non-standard' entry tasks to the University a written 5000 word assignment.
Funding: This option requires self-funding or student finance. Surrey County Council (SCC) staff undertaking a social work course independently are not eligible for paid study leave/placement periods.
Duration: 3 years. Year 1 is at University. Year 2 includes a 70-day placement. Year 3 includes a 100 day placement. Open University modules can take place over longer periods.
When: Courses start each year. Check directly with universities.
More details: Find approved courses on the Social Work England website.
Masters Degree (Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Arts (MA) Social Work)
Requirements:
An undergraduate degree and relevant experience.
Funding: This option requires self-funding or student finance. SCC staff undertaking a social work course independently are not eligible for paid study leave/placement periods.
Duration: 2 years. Year 1 includes a 70-day placement. Year 2 includes a 100-day placement.
When: Courses start each year. Check directly with universities.
More details: Find approved courses on the Social Work England website.
Step Up to Social Work (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work)
Requirements:
- A degree at 2:2 level or higher (in any discipline)
- 6 months direct work experience
- GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent).
Funding: Tuition fees are paid by Department for Education (DfE). You also get a tax-free bursary of £21,995.
Duration: 14 months.
When: Applications for the 2026 programme are closed. The next application window is expected in February 2027 for training in 2028, subject to government funding.
More details: Surrey partners with Kingston University for Step Up.
Approach Social Work (Masters Degree, formerly Frontline programme)
Requirements:
- A degree at 2:2 level or higher (in any subject).
- GCSE English grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent.
Funding: Tuition fees are paid. You also get a tax-free bursary of £18,000 in year 1. From year 2 you earn a salary as a Newly Qualified Social Worker.
Duration: 3 years. You qualify as a Social Worker after year 1. You then complete your masters degree.
When: Applications for 2026 programme are closed. Next application window updates can be found on their website.
More details: Surrey Children’s Services do not partner with this scheme. Find out more information on the Approach Social Work website.
Degree Apprenticeship (Bachelor of Arts (BA) Social Work)
Requirements:
Open to existing Surrey County Council staff with 2 years’ experience working for Surrey County Council's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning.
Funding: Tuition fees are through government funding. Staff keep their salary as they continue their usual role.
Duration: 3 years.
Description: Learn on the job one day a week at the University of Chichester and 2 assessed placements within Surrey teams.
When: More information will be available in early 2026 for our next programme.
More details: This apprenticeship is for internal staff only. There are more details on opportunities in this field on the Department for Education website.
On completion of your social work degree we invite you to apply as a Newly Qualified Social Worker to complete your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in Surrey.
Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
Requirements:
A Social Work Degree.
Funding: The programme is funded through Skills for Care and run by Surrey County Council's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Directorate. Newly Qualified Social Workers earn a salary while completing their ASYE.
Duration: 12 months.
Description: Employment-based support for your first year as a Social Worker.
When: Two intakes in 2025, Spring and Autumn. Apply through Surrey County Council Jobs.
Working in Surrey
Surrey has 11 districts and boroughs show on the map below. Students placements and Newly Qualified Social Worker jobs may be anywhere in Surrey County children's services teams.
