Key information
- Duration:
- 22 months full time
- Start date:
- September 2026
- Apply by:
- 30 June 2025
- 100% of our research impact in Social Work and Social Policy was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
- =9th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – Outcomes in Social Work
- 9th in the UK for Social Work
You’ll benefit from a range of stimulating learning opportunities. Taught by our academic faculty, practitioners and experts by experience, you’ll also get to work with service-users and carers.
You’ll work within a supportive study environment. This will help you develop crucial skills for independent and collaborative learning.
Learn from people influencing social care. We work with local social welfare agencies on joint projects. These include development, training and research initiatives.
The MA in Social Work is a generic social work qualification. This means you’ll gain knowledge in a wide range of areas, ready to work in practice contexts that support, among others:
- vulnerable children, young people and families
- adults and older people
- people experiencing mental health, disability, substance use or homelessness challenges
- asylum seekers and refugees.
When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to work with other professionals and agencies such as the police, schools, healthcare providers, probation services, care home facilities and community centres.
MA or PGDip?
We also offer this course as a full-time PGDip over 19 months. The PGDip doesn’t include the research methods training and dissertation of the MA.
Accreditation
- Approved by Social Work England (SWE) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with SWE as a social worker in England.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Studying a Social Work MA at Sussex
Social Work Information Events
Meet us online or in person and find out how to become a social worker
Entry requirements
| Degree requirements | You should have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
Please select your country from the list.
Argentina
| Degree requirements | Licenciado/Titulo with a minimum final mark of at least 6.0-7.0 depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Australia
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Azerbaijan
| Degree requirements | Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81% |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bahrain
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 2.5/4.0 (Grade C+). |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bangladesh
| Degree requirements | A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.2/4.0 |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brazil
| Degree requirements | Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a minimum final mark of at least 7. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brunei
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second class lower division or CGPA 2.7/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (grade B). |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Chile
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 4.5-5.0/7 depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 65%-70% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Colombia
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad’ and a minimum CGPA of 3.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 7 (Fair Performance). |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ecuador
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 15/20. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Egypt
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from a university with a minimum overall grade of at least 70%. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
| Degree requirements | Licence with mention assez bien or Maîtrise with a minimum final mark of at least 12. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Germany
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a minimum final mark of 2.7 or better. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ghana
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from a public university with a minimum second-class lower division. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Greece
| Degree requirements | Ptychion from an AEI with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 50-65% depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Indonesia
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 2.8/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a minimum final mark of at least 14. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Italy
| Degree requirements | Diploma di Laurea with a minimum overall mark of at least 101. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Jordan
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or 75%. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kazakhstan
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of 3.5/5 or CGPA 3.0/4 |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kenya
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kuwait
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or B. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lebanon
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or 13/20. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malawi
| Degree requirements | Masters degree, depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.7/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Mexico
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nepal
| Degree requirements | A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CGPA of at least 2.8-2.99/4.0, 3.0-3.49/5.0, or 4.0-4.6/7.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall grade of C. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Oman
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
| Degree requirements | Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university. Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Palestine
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum of at least 70% or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Paraguay
| Degree requirements | Bachelors with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Peru
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 12/20 from a public university or 14/20 from a private university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Philippines
| Degree requirements | Masters degree with a minimum of 1.75/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.5/4.0 |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Qatar
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall CPGA of at least 2.8 (on a scale of 4). |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
| Degree requirements | Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Saudi Arabia
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/5.0 or 2.8/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CAP 3.5. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (honours) degree with a minimum second-class division 2. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Korea
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 3.0/4.5 or 2.8/4.3 or B. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
| Degree requirements | Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 2/4 or 6/10. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sri Lanka
| Degree requirements | Bachelors Special degree with a minimum lower second honours. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
| Degree requirements | Licence or Diplôme with a minimum 4.5/6 or 7/10. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Taiwan
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 65%-75% depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Thailand
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.5 -2.8/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
| Degree requirements | Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.6 - 2.8/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
United Arab Emirates
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or equivalent. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
USA
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Uzbekistan
| Degree requirements | Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 70%. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Vietnam
| Degree requirements | Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.5/4.0 or 6.5/10. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both proof of graduation in addition to your transcript. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Zambia
| Degree requirements | Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Zimbabwe
| Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
My country is not listed
If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us
| Subject-specific requirements | Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject. You must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at grade C or above. |
|---|
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component).
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.
We accept IELTS Online.
Alternative English language qualifications
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
185 overall, including at least 176 in each skill.
We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
185 overall, including at least 176 in each skill.
We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.
Duolingo English test
130 overall, with no component score below 120.
Duolingo English test scores are valid for two years from the test date.
You will need to share your results with the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
Advanced level (75 overall, including at least 70 in each component).
LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.
We do not accept the online version. We also do not accept the non-SELT version.
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
International ESOL SELT C1 with a minimum of 33 in each component.
LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.
Pearson (PTE Academic)
Advanced level (67 overall, including at least 62 in all four skills).
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
TOEFL (iBT)
Advanced level (95 overall, including at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 24 in Writing).
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We accept TOEFL (iBT) ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Edition.
The TOEFL Institution Code for the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 5, including at least 4 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 80%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 80%
We will also accept the Indian Secondary School Certificate at the grade below when awarded by the following examination boards, but these State Board results must have been completed within 6 years of the start date of the course at Sussex:
Tamil Nadu; Karnataka; Delhi; Maharashtra; and West Bengal - English: 80%
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A - C in English language
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Office, not by the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ.
List of exempt countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada**
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- The British Overseas Territories
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
English language support
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa
Admissions information for applicants
| Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check | Yes. All candidates offered a place on the course will be required to satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course is confirmed. International students will additionally be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: . |
|---|---|
| Health check | Yes. A satisfactory health declaration must be completed before you start the course. We will send a form for you to complete. |
| How to apply | You must apply through the . The course code is L508. Our UCAS code is S90 and our code name is SUSX. |
| Interviews | Yes |
| Personal statement | Yes. You must complete additional documentation and write an extended personal statement. |
| Selection day | Yes |
| Work experience | Yes. We are looking for applicants who have direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/carers or adults, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, ideally with at least 6 months full-time (or equivalent) work experience. |
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.
Application deadlines
30 June 2025
We strongly recommend an earlier application where possible, as some courses are in high demand and may close before the above dates. Find out more at How to apply for a Masters course
There are so many different places you can work with and different types of people you can meet on placements, which is really interesting – and it gives you so much experience of the job.” Elena Campbell and Morgan Chukwunyelum Okonkwo
Social Work MA
- Video transcript
Morgan: I would definitely have to say my favourite thing about my course is... the amount of... international students that we have. It’s quite... I think it’s almost the majority of our course and it brings all these new perspectives to social work because they... come from places where social work is not necessarily... prevalent in their communities. And so, they have all these different experiences... beforehand coming here, and then they want to... engage in social work, and it’s... just really nice to see.
Elena: My favourite thing about the course is sort of the vast variety of placements that there are. It’s quite different doing social work because you are on placement for a lot of the... [umm] time that you’re there. So there’s so many different places that you can work with and different types of people that you can meet as well on those placements which is really, really interesting, and it gives you so much experience of the job... that social work will be when you qualify. And one of the things I really, really like as well is the support from the staff, and we have tutors, and they are fantastic. You can go to them with anything that you might need, and they’re really, really helpful, and there for you throughout the whole time.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
All year
Autumn teaching
- Human Development and Social Relationships
- Law and Social Policy
- Social Adversity, Risk and Resilience
Autumn and spring teaching
Year 2
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.