The strengths and challenges of increasing numbers of overseas students in social work qualifying programmes in the United Kingdom: reflections from the Joint University Council International Committee

This abstract fits closely with two of the conference’s sub-themes: Ethno-cultural, Religious and National Diversities8, and Social Service Workers’ Working Conditions16.
The Joint University Council (JUC) International Sub-Committee (IC) works closely with the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). The purpose of the JUC IC is to identify international trends and priorities in social work education and the profession, with specific focus on promoting the internationalisation of the social work curriculum in the United Kingdom (JUC, 2023).
Whilst the challenges of working conditions16 for international social work practitioners are becoming well-documented (Ravalier et al., 2022) the preceding challenges for education providers supporting students from overseas has received much less consideration. The benefits of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity8 in social work education are certain (Panagiotis, 2020; Azzopardi and McNeill, 2016;) with literature giving particular emphasis to the value of international elective practicum (Smith & Sharley, 2016). This paper focuses upon understanding the challenges of supporting overseas students in UK-based social work qualifying programmes. It presents key themes identified within a reflective workshop held with selected members of the International Sub-Committee in September 2023. Academics were from Universities that have observed a significant rise in the proportion of international students enrolled upon their programmes in the last 3 years, and who all hold membership to the IC. Identified themes include challenges experienced in relation to admissions, teaching and learning pedagogy, practice placements, assessment, and pastoral support.
Reflections from the collaborative workshop will be shared with the conference to promote broader dialogue on this important and emergent trend of increasing overseas applicants in university-based social work programmes. Implications for both the internationalisation of the social work curriculum in Higher Education, and wider implications for international practitioners entering the profession in the UK (post-qualification) will be examined.