Motives and attitudes: A reconstructive approach to the aptitude for studies in social work

Admissions procedures for social work studies at Swiss universities of applied sciences examine not only formal criteria (e.g., educational qualifications, professional experience) but also other aspects, such as the ability to study or a later professional activity. Devising the procedure and making the admissions decisions are the responsibilities of the particular university of applied sciences. The present article focuses on the aim and procedure of the aptitude test for studies of social work at the UAS St.Gallen, with a focus on how to guarantee fair, comprehensible and legally compliant decisions, based on the motivational positions and biographical narratives of the applicants.