Functional Skills Level 2 for Social Work: Degree Entry Requirements, Apprenticeships and the 13th January UCAS Deadline

Social workers help children, families and adults through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and the job is a registered profession with a clear route in. The National Careers Service puts the starting salary for a social worker at around £32,000 a year, rising to around £48,000 with experience.

If you want to start a social work degree in September 2027, now is the time to plan. The UCAS equal consideration deadline for most 2027 courses is 6pm on Wednesday 13th January 2027. Almost every course page asks for English at grade 4 (the old grade C) or an equivalent, and some ask for maths too. If you do not have those grades, this guide explains which universities and apprenticeships accept Functional Skills Level 2, where the traps are, and how to use what is left of this half term week to get started.

What does a social worker do?

Social workers support people who are vulnerable or at risk, from children in need of protection to older adults and people with disabilities or mental health needs.

To practise in England you must be registered with Social Work England, and you will need to pass enhanced background checks. The National Careers Service lists a typical working week of 37 to 45 hours.

Three ways into social work

A social work degree

Most social workers qualify through a degree in social work approved by Social Work England. The National Careers Service says you will usually need two to three A levels, or equivalent, for a degree. Many adults apply with an Access to Higher Education Diploma instead.

Universities also look for evidence that you understand the role. Oxford Brookes, for example, asks for relevant experience such as paid or voluntary work with vulnerable people, and invites shortlisted applicants to an interview day with an individual interview and a written test.

A social worker degree apprenticeship

The Social Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship lets you qualify while you are employed. The National Careers Service says it takes around three years and mixes work placements with academic study. Individual programmes vary:

• ✓ The Open University, Social Work Apprenticeship: asks for GCSE English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), Functional Skills or Key Skills Level 2 in English and maths, “or a certified equivalent”, and you must work at least 30 hours a week.
• ✓ University of Staffordshire, Social worker Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree): asks for “Level 2 English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent)”. It says maths requirements are set by the employer, and you must be employed in a relevant role, typically for 30 hours a week.

A postgraduate route

If you already have a degree in another subject, you can take a postgraduate qualification in social work, which normally takes two years. Graduate training schemes usually ask for at least a 2:2 degree.

Which social work degrees accept Functional Skills Level 2?

Here is what current course pages say:

• ✓ University of Brighton, Social Work BSc (Hons), 2027 entry: asks for GCSE English language at grade C or 4, and states that “Functional Skills, level 2 in English, is acceptable.”
• ✓ London Metropolitan University, Social Work BSc (Hons), September 2027: “GCSE English Language at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification, e.g., Functional Skills English at Level 2).”
• ✓ Oxford Brookes University, BA (Hons) Social Work, September 2026 and 2027: asks for GCSE English or equivalent at grade C or above and states that “Level 2 Functional Skills are accepted as alternatives to GCSEs.”
• ✗ University of East Anglia, BA Social Work: asks for GCSE English language and maths at grade 4 or C. It will consider Functional Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE maths, but lists no alternative to GCSE English.

The pattern is clear. Many universities accept Functional Skills Level 2 for social work, but not all of them, and not always for both subjects.

Four things to check before you apply

Each university sets its own rules, so check these four things on every course page on your shortlist:

• ✓ English and maths can be treated differently. UEA accepts Functional Skills for maths but not English, while Brighton, London Met and Oxford Brookes list English only. If a page only mentions one subject, ask about the other.
• ✓ English is non negotiable. Brighton says its English requirement is a national requirement that “cannot be waived”. If you have no Level 2 English, sort it first.
• ✓ Experience counts. Several courses ask for paid or voluntary experience in a helping or support role. Start building it now if you have none.
• ✓ Know when your certificate is due. If you receive a conditional offer, check the date by which the university needs to see your certificate.

If anything is unclear, email the admissions team and ask: “Do you accept Functional Skills Level 2 English and maths in place of GCSE for BSc Social Work?” Our guide to whether universities accept Functional Skills Level 2 goes into more detail, and our guide to Functional Skills Level 2 English or a GCSE equivalency test explains how to choose when a course lists both. Already on a course without Level 2 English? Read what happens next.

Is there funding for social work students?

In England, the NHS Business Services Authority runs the Social Work Bursary. Its 2026 to 2027 guide sets the basic grant for undergraduates at £4,862.50 outside London and £5,262.50 in London, including a £862.50 Placement Travel Allowance. Undergraduates can apply from their second year, the basic grant is not income assessed, and places are capped, so a bursary is not guaranteed. It does not cover tuition fees.

If you work in social care and your employer is paying for your training, our guide to employer funded Functional Skills Level 2 explains how to ask.

Why the Ofqual regulated part matters

Not every online “Level 2” certificate is a regulated qualification. When a university or employer asks for an equivalent to GCSE, it expects a regulated qualification, not a short course certificate.

At Functify Learning, your Functional Skills Level 2 English and maths qualifications are awarded by Highfield and regulated by Ofqual, and we are a Highfield Approved Centre. Functify is part of Geek School Tutoring, which has taught more than 1,000 students since 2013.

How long does it take to get Functional Skills Level 2?

That depends on where you are starting from.

• ✓ You feel confident: book the exam. With Functify Learning your exam is booked within 5 days and your certificate usually arrives within 10 days of your result.
• ✓ You are rusty: a 5 Day Revision Course from £19.99 gets you exam ready in about a week.
• ✓ You have been out of education for years or failed before: a live 10 Week Course from £197 per subject, in a small group of no more than 10 learners, with a mock exam included.

Not sure which group you are in? Take our free Functional Skills pass quiz at quiz.functifylearning.co.uk. It tells you whether to book now or revise first.

Your plan from half term to the UCAS deadline

For most schools in England, October half term runs until Friday 30th October 2026. Whether you are a parent planning a career change or a care worker ready for the next step, here is a realistic timeline:

1. This week: shortlist three to five social work degrees or apprenticeships and note exactly what each one asks for in English and maths. Take the free pass quiz.
2. Early November: start a 5 Day Revision Course, or book a £35 mock exam per subject to find any gaps. If you need more time, a 10 Week Course gives you structure through to the new year.
3. Mid November to early December: book your exam and sit it online from home, with technical setup support beforehand.
4. December: receive your certificate and add the qualification to your UCAS application.
5. By 6pm on Wednesday 13th January 2027: submit your UCAS application.

How much will it cost?

At Functify Learning:

• ✓ English Level 2 exam: £160
• ✓ Maths Level 2 exam: £160
• ✓ English and maths together: £250, instead of £320 booked separately
• ✓ Mock exam: £35 per subject
• ✓ Klarna available at checkout on orders of more than £35

For a full breakdown, read our guide to how much a Functional Skills Level 2 exam costs in 2026. If you are weighing up other caring careers, see Functional Skills Level 2 for midwifery.

Functional Skills Level 2 for social work: frequently asked questions

Can I become a social worker with Functional Skills instead of GCSEs?

Often, yes. Universities including Brighton, London Metropolitan and Oxford Brookes list Functional Skills Level 2 English as an accepted alternative to GCSE English for social work. You will still need A levels, an Access course or another Level 3 qualification, plus relevant experience for many courses.

Do all social work degrees accept Functional Skills Level 2 English?

No. The University of East Anglia will consider Functional Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE maths for its BA Social Work, but lists no alternative to GCSE English. Always check the course page for each university you apply to.

Do I need maths to study social work?

It depends on the university. Brighton, London Met and Oxford Brookes list an English requirement only, while UEA asks for both English and maths. For the Staffordshire apprenticeship, maths requirements are set by the employer.

Can I do a social work degree apprenticeship with Functional Skills?

Some programmes accept it. The Open University accepts Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths, and the University of Staffordshire accepts functional skills for its Level 2 English requirement. You also need an employer, and employers can set their own requirements.

When is the UCAS deadline for 2027 social work courses?

UCAS says applications for most 2027 undergraduate courses should arrive by 6pm (UK time) on Wednesday 13th January 2027.

Is there a bursary for social work students?

In England, the NHS Business Services Authority offers a Social Work Bursary to undergraduates from their second year. The 2026 to 2027 basic grant is £4,862.50 outside London and £5,262.50 in London, and places are capped.

Can I sit Functional Skills Level 2 online from home?

Yes. You sit the exam online from home, and we help you set up your laptop, camera and connection beforehand.

Get your Level 2 sorted before the UCAS deadline

Book your English or maths exam today, sit it from home around work or childcare, and have your certificate ready for your social work application. Not sure where to start? Message us on WhatsApp and we will point you in the right direction.