Social Policy

Course Outline
This full-time, one year course analyses social policy relating to contemporary issues facing Ireland, Europe and the wider world. The course gives you the theoretical and practical skills to engage in social research and policy analysis. As part of this course, you can specialise in the social policy area of your choice. The delivery of the programme is innovative, discussion-led and seminar-based to encourage the active participation of the group.

The MSocSc (Social Policy) core modules include:
- Contemporary Social Policy Issues
- Social Research: Methodology and Ethics
- Social Policy Analysis

Students are also required to conduct a piece of social research and submit a 25,000 word thesis.

You will also pursue a specialist pathway from one of the following:

- Children and Young People
Designed for a wide range of professionals working with children and young people. You are encouraged to reflect on policy, theory and practice. Topics covered include: children and young people in society; children's rights, participation and democratic engagement; and researching childhood and youth.

- Mental Health and Disability
Helps you understand key perspectives in the areas of mental health and disability, and their implications for policy, research and practice. Issues of human rights and citizenship are given particular attention.

- Conflict, Transformation and Peace Building
Explores the causes and dynamics of conflict in society, and looks at grassroots and governmental approaches to peace-building internationally. Conflict in Ireland and the peace process in the North will act as a focus. 'Transitional justice' and 'nation-building' in post-conflict societies will also be considered.

Further details of the programme content and modules are in the Postgraduate College Calendar.

Why Choose This Course
The course gives you the unique opportunity to take a one-year full-time evening course in an era of rapid social change and policy developments. It will give you the skills to:
- engage in social policy analysis
- become an autonomous researcher
- link practice with theoretical and conceptual debates
- address contemporary debates in key social policy issues
- evaluate, and ultimately have an impact on policy agendas

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
To apply for this course you will need a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent. Applicants with other relevant degrees in the broad areas of the humanities and social sciences (sociology, philosophy, politics and government, social care, social work, early childhood studies, public health, history, law, economics, archaeology, anthropology, theology) and/or relevant experience, e.g. extensive experience in the areas of community activism, youth work, social work, trade union activism and development work will also be considered.

Applicants who do not meet the normal academic or experience requirements may also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course commitee, at which they must satisfy the course commitee of their ability to fulfil the academic requirements of the programme. The review will consist of an interview by the course commitee and an evaluation of the applicant's prior relevant experience and understanding and knowledge of social policy. Such applications are subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

Students who have gained an award of the Higher Diploma in Social Policy, or the CACE Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies), will also be considered eligible to apply to undertake the MSocSc (Social Policy).

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates below.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June.

Assessment

The MSocSc (Social Policy) course gives you the skills to understand and discuss key issues in contemporary social policy, specialise in a policy field of your choice and conduct policy research. Our assessment methods enable students to become autonomous social policy analysts and researchers. Assessment includes: writing and presenting a policy report, participating in online discussions of contemporary key social policy issues, theoretical analysis of a current policy issue and a 25,000 word social policy research thesis.

Who teaches this course

The teaching is delivered by members of staff in the School of Applied Social Studies. Outside speakers are also invited to give seminars which are relevant to each of the specialist pathways. The teaching is strongly informed by research and lecturers contribute to the course in their particular areas of expertise. Students are also active participants in the learning process. For example, the modules are constituted in the form of a series of seminars and students are expected to read articles which are later discussed in class.

Why Choose This Course

The course gives you the unique opportunity to take a one-year full-time evening course in an era of rapid social change and policy developments. It will give you the skills to:

engage in social policy analysis
become an autonomous researcher
link practice with theoretical and conceptual debates
address contemporary debates in key social policy issues
evaluate, and ultimately have an impact on policy agendas

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during evening hours over 2 years.

Start Date: 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
Our graduates are employed in a variety of posts including the public and voluntary sectors and other service/advocacy groups. The course is ideally suited to those who have worked in this area, or who are interested in working in social policy related areas such as youth work, community work, social activism and trade unionism. The specialist pathways also suit various professionals working with children and young people, or in the areas of mental health, disability, and conflict transformation and peace building.