u/I_DidNotOverThis

Hi all, I'm beginning my social work degree in September and I would like to choose a laptop that will be able to manage the workload, plus assistive software. DSA have allocated me £330.00 for the laptop alone, but i could potentially add around £200.00 to that.

I am looking for a Windows laptop, with at least 16gb.

I don't know anything about technology, so i would welcome all help.

Thank you

Hi, I was wondering if there were any current or previous social work students on here, that did their degree in Ulster University, through a regional college for the first two years?

I have passed the access NI check, I've met with OH and they are happy with me to go ahead, with some reasonable adjustments. I have been in contact with DSA, they have been super helpful and I have all my loans and grants applied for and accepted. I will need to wait until the beginning of term to apply for the bursary incentive. I only have to wait on NISCC coming to to me then hopefully I will get my log on details.

I was wondering if someone could tell me the time frame of the the rest of the steps. Also, if you could give me a run through of what to expect in the first year. Which books I will need? Also, just any general info or tips you could give me would be great 😊

I can't seem to find much out about it, so was hoping current or recently graduated social workers could give me a heads up please.

Thank you ☺️

Hi, I recently got accepted to university in Northern Ireland. I begin a social work degree in September, but I've been wondering how this is going to affect me financially. I know that student life is tough financially for everyone, but just wanted to know where I stand.

I am currently receiving LCWRA, which includes housing costs and 1 child. I started a part time job 2 months ago, its 22 hours per week, but I am changing to bank at the beginning of September as I won't be fit for both a part time job and a full time uni course with my health. I currently receive PIP, standard for both.

I applied for the tuition fee, which obviously goes to the uni. I applied for maintenance loan, which i received the full amount. I also got two grants, one for parents allowance and one for special support grant. I will apply for the student incentive bursary in September.

My main concern is that I thought it was only the maintenance loan that universal credit took pound for pound, but someone recently told me the take pound for pound for all of it, including grants! I'm kinda trying to work out how this will impact me. Obviously I will need to learn to budget better, although sometimes that can be difficult with my health, but my main concern is maxing out and losing my housing cost as well.

I understand the payments are made in installments throughout the year, but when are they made and how does it affect your universal credit? Does it wipe it out for months, or just that month? The fear of having financial insecurity is really making me consider not going to university! I know that probably sounds silly to some people, but my anxiety is through the roof.

Thank you for any help at all, i very much appreciate it.

Hi, I was wondering if there were any current or previous social work students on here, that did their degree in Ulster University, through a regional college for the first two years?

I have passed the access NI check, I've met with OH and they are happy with me to go ahead, with some reasonable adjustments. I have been in contact with DSA, they have been super helpful and I have all my loans and grants applied for and accepted. I will need to wait until the beginning of term to apply for the bursary incentive. I only have to wait on NISCC coming to to me then hopefully I will get my log on details.

I was wondering if someone could tell me the time frame of the the rest of the steps. Also, if you could give me a run through of what to expect in the first year. Which books I will need? Also, just any general info or tips you could give me would be great 😊

I can't seem to find much out about it, so was hoping current or recently graduated social workers could give me a heads up please.

Thank you ☺️

Hi, I have been accepted to do the Social work degree, beginning this September. I have chosen to begin my degree at SWC Dungannon, then the final year at Magee campus. Just wondering if there are any people on here who will be joining me?

Hi, just wondering if anyone on here did their social work degree in Northern Ireland? I wanted to find out from people who have done it recently, what the timetable looks like? Like, how many days a week for year one?

I finally received my assessor report in the post, but they said on the phone that my case has not been allocated to a decision maker yet.

Currently I am receiving enhanced daily living and standard mobility.

My new assessor report recommends 11 points for daily living (one of enhanced) and 10 for mobility.

How likely is it that the decision maker will follow this?

Can the award my old amount, or will they follow the assessor report?

I understand the can reject it to obviously.

Is anyone else having problems with post in Dungannon? A letter was sent out to me on 7th May (second class) but its still not here on 19th May. Thats bound to be too long, even for second class post.

Can anyone tell me how long it took for PIP to make a decision on their review claim, working from the day of assessment?

I'm interested in people who have recently received a decision, particularly in N. Ireland. I'm trying to gauge how long it roughly takes here. I am so anxious that I have been sick and I'm not sleeping. The thought of having to go through that whole process and possibly have to appeal makes me so sick.

Any input welcome, thank you

Hi all, I was hoping for some advice/others experience, on a situation.

I had my PIP Review last Tuesday (5th May). I then got a job and started it on the 8th May.

My question is, will this impact the decision made by PIP as I didn’t start work until after the review?

I didn't plan to start work, but an opportunity came my way and I wanted to do a trial period, to see if I am fit to manage alongside my health conditions.

Will this flag up and cause me to need another review? My anxiety is through the roof with this, which is causing my other health conditions to flare up.

Edited to add: I should add that I have already notified Universal Credit as I am on LCWRA.

Any advice or experience would be very welcome. Thank you.

I had a PIP Review on 5th May, was texted on 6th May to say they received assessors report. I rang that day and requested the report, still waiting on it.

I'm just wondering if anyone has been through this process recently, and could they let me know their timeline, so that I can gauge when I should get my decision. My anxiety is through the roof waiting 🙈

Hi everyone,

I'm hopefully beginning a 3 year degree in social work, from September 2026.

I wanted to ask if anyone has any suggestions on reading materials for over the Summer, so I can get a feel for the material.

Also what will I need to begin my journey as a social work student? Type of laptop, books etc.

Thank you

I am so proud of myself, I will begin a social work degree in 2026, when I turn 40 years old. It has always been my dream to attend university, but life was lifing. I got accepted to Queen's University, Belfast and to Ulster University for three of their campus. Can't believe it! I firmed UU, as it makes more sense for me health wise; it cuts out so much travel and will save money.

Any other Social Work students from NI, that are currently studying at UU, who could let me know a bit about what to expect from the course over the 3 years please?