Family Support Studies

Course Overview

The main focus of Family Support is on early intervention and prevention in order to promote and protect the health, well-being and rights of all children, young people and their families, paying particular attention to those who are vulnerable or at risk.



This programme aims to enhance the education and skills of professionals working in the field. The programme enables students to develop in-depth understanding of social problems, their causes and policy solutions. It provides a strong foundation in family support theory and its application across a range of practices, roles and disciplines in the human services, as well as practical social science research and evaluation skills required in the sector.



This is a two-year part-time programme. Students attend college one to two days every second week over four semesters with the agreement of their employers. Established in 2003, this programme is unique in Europe with its emphasis on applying a family support approach across a wide range of social practice and policy areas.

Year 1 (45 Credits)

Required SP576: Child Protection and Family Support

Required SP577: Community Development and Families

Required SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I

Required SP6155: Research Methods for the Applied Social Science

Required SP6129: Applied Family Support Seminars

Required SP572: Family Support Theory I

Required SP573: Family Support Practice I

Required SP530: Working with Specific Populations

Year 2 (45 Credits)

Required SP6153: Research Support Workshop

Required SP6154: Family Support Dissertation

Required SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II

Required SP579: Family Support Theory II

Required SP580: Family Support Practice II

Required SP582: Law and Family Support

Required SP583: Health Promotion and Families

A third-level qualification or a recognised professional qualification in a field broadly related to Family Support service delivery. Participants must have a minimum of one year work experience in health or and social services areas. Applicants with relevant professional experience who do not meet the formal qualifications requirement may be considered for entry into the PDip in the first instance.



English Language Entry Requirements



For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent. 

MA: 2 years, part-time

PDip: 1 year, part-time

Next start date: September 2026

Graduates of the MA/ PDip in Family Support Studies will have enhanced career prospects in a wide range of service areas, at practitioner and manager level, working in statutory and community or voluntary services. This includes a broad range of social service fields such as welfare, justice, health, and education. Students can also progress to research, advocacy and policy roles across relevant disciplines and sectors within these fields.