Applications to join Approach Social Work in summer 2025 close at 11.55pm on 17 March.
Approved equivalent qualifications
Your bachelors degree (honours) will normally be accepted as meeting the English language requirements for Approach Social Work.
Exceptions include where degrees were obtained outside of the UK or institutions that did not check English attainment upon entry. Where your degree is not accepted, you can find a full list of accepted UK qualifications below.
| Qualification | We accept | We do not accept |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE | A* – C / 4 – 9 | D – G / 1 – 3 |
| GCE O Level | A* – C | D – E |
| CSE | Grade 1 | Anything other than Grade 1 |
| IGCSE | A* – C | D – G |
| Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grade | Grade 1 – 2 | Grade 3 – 7 |
| Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade | A – D | No award |
| Scottish Certificate of Education National 5 English | A – C | D or lower |
| Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary/Standard | O1 – O4 / A1 – D3 | O5 – O8 / E – F |
| Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade | H1 – H7 / A1 – D3 | H8 |
| Functional Skills (English) | ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 | Anything other than ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 |
| Key Skills (English/Communication) | ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 | Anything other than ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 |
| Adult Literacy | ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 | Anything other than ‘Pass’ grade at Level 2 |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma (with specific English language modules) | 12 credits in English modules at Level 2 OR states ‘with GCSE equivalency’ | Access qualifications where English modules have not been studied or fewer than 12 credits at Level 2 have been achieved |
| IELTS Academic | Level 7 with at least a 6.5 in each element (test must have been taken within three years) | Lower than Level 7 overall and/or lower than 6.5 in any element |
| International Baccalaureate | ‘Pass’ mark in English A1 (first language) | Anything other than pass mark in English A1 (first language) |
| Cambridge ESOL in Advanced English (before 2015) | Grade B or higher with no component below borderline | Below grade B and/or any components below borderline |
| Cambridge ESOL in Advanced English (after 2015) | At least 185 marks overall and at least 176 marks in each element | Fewer than 185 marks overall or fewer than 176 marks in any element |
| AQA Level 1 / 2 | Grade C or above | Anything below Grade C |
| Trinity College London ISE III Level 2 Certificate | With Merits in each component | Anything below a Merit in each component |
If you have any further questions not answered by this guidance or wish to enquire about a qualification, please contact the admissions and support team at recruitment@thefrontline.org.uk