What is a selection event?

It's a process to assess whether you're suitable for a place on the course. It's a chance to show us your knowledge about the subject and your enthusiasm for the career.

Being invited to a selection event doesn't mean you're guaranteed a place on the course - the point of the day is to help us come to a mutual decision. We need to decide whether to make you an offer and you need to decide whether you like the course and the university.

To find out what will happen on the day, see the subject-specific information below. The timings listed are approximate, so please keep your plans for travelling home flexible.

When and where is my selection event?

If you're invited to a selection event you'll receive an email telling you when it is and where to go.

It's important to be on time. You should arrive 30 minutes before the start time so you can register. If you're delayed on the way to the event call 0114 225 5555 and ask for Admissions.

What happens on a selection event?

The selection process lasts for two to three hours and consists of

• a 15-minute presentation by one of the course team
• a written test, lasting 20-minutes and based on writing a letter
• a 15-minute group discussion in small groups, which involves sitting, standing and moving around the room
• an individual interview normally held with two members of staff, lasting approximately 10-minutes

What else can I experience on the day?

The selection event is all about finding the right people for the course. But there are other ways you can see our campuses and accommodation, including our weekly student-led tours.

Do I need to prepare anything in advance?

The selection event is all about finding the right people for the course. But there are other ways you can see our campuses and accommodation, including our weekly student-led tours.

What do I need to bring with me?

Declaration form

Please complete the declaration form sent with your interview email and bring this with you to the selection event. You must read the guidance included with the declaration to ensure that you provide a relevant, up-to-date and truthful declaration. Please note that if you are offered a place to study on the professional course you have applied for, you will be expected to complete a number of professional requirements and attend a pre-course day prior to enrolment. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will put your place at risk as your offer could be withdrawn.

Photographic identification

You must also bring photographic identification (photo ID). If possible please bring a passport or photo driving licence. If you do not own either of these, other forms of photographic identification will be sufficient for the selection event but should you be offered a place on the course you will be required to present further official identification documentation to complete the professional requirements referred to above.

What are we looking for?

In the selection event we're looking for you

• to be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of youth and community work values
• to show a well-developed, clear and realistic understanding of the profession, contemporary issues and an awareness of what being a professional means. This should be supported by examples gained from your experience of working with young people (paid, voluntary or placements)
• to show enthusiasm for youth and community work and be able to explain why you want to be involved in this area
• to show an understanding of the format of the course. This includes the demand and resilience required to successfully combine academic study with professional placements
• to demonstrate awareness of placement commitments, which includes:
• willingness to travel
• variable hours according to the placement setting

Who is on the selection event panel?

Academic staff from the course team and employers from the youth and community work sector are usually involved with the selection event.

What should I wear?

Wear business dress.

How do I find you?

Robert Winston Building is located on Broomhall Road, off Collegiate Crescent. If you are travelling by car please be aware there are no car parks and extremely limited on-street parking near Collegiate Campus. We recommend parking in the city and walking or travelling by public transport to the campus. Buses are frequent and take just 15 minutes, they stop on Ecclesall Road at the bottom of Collegiate Crescent. You can get the number 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 or 88 directly to Collegiate Campus from the top of Fargate in the city centre.

Please use this map to help you find the building (Collegiate Crescent Campus Map (PDF, 3.56 MB) (PDF, 131.4KB))

To find the building on Google Maps, use: Robert Winston Building, Sheffield

I'm disabled and require support at the event. Can you help?

Yes. We can arrange (for example) a sign language interpreter, notetaker, materials in a different format and wheelchair access.

Just give us a call on 0114 225 5584 or email events@shu.ac.uk as soon as possible after receiving your email and tell us what support you need.

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on courses in health and social care. The information in the booklet will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage in both the application process and for your time on placement when you have enrolled on a course. Evidence suggests that students who disclose their disability early are much more likely to reach their potential, because they can receive the support they need to achieve.

What happens after my selection event?

We will not be able to tell you the decision on the day, but we will let you know the result as soon as possible. As there is very high competition for some courses, we may delay making final decisions until we have completed all the interviews. This means that you may not receive a decision following the interview for several weeks but we will inform you if this is the case.

After the selection event our decision will be communicated via UCAS Track, so please check your account regularly. You will receive one of the following decisions.

Conditional offer you must meet specific conditions, which may be academic and/or non-academic conditions before you can be accepted on the course. If the conditions are met, the offer becomes unconditional.

Unconditional offer this is made when you have met the specific conditions we’ve asked for.

Unsuccessful - we are not able to offer you a place on the course. We do not feel that you have demonstrated the necessary skills or experience to be successful at this time; however this does not prevent you from applying in future, should you undertake further study or develop your skills and experience. For individual feedback on the decision you can contact feedbackrequests@shu.ac.uk.