Social Policy & Social Justice - Online

Course Outline

Are you motivated to contribute to positive social change? Are you committed to working in coalition with others to imagine and realise a more socially just and inclusive future? If so, then you will find Social Policy and Social Justice a fascinating field of research and practice.



In your studies, you will be encouraged to think creatively about complex social questions. You will examine key social policy concepts, welfare state ideologies, and critical perspectives on justice, citizenship, and solidarity. You will explore issues relevant to race and ethnicity, religion, age, genders and sexualities, and class, and develop your personal and professional capacities to work alongside marginalised social groups to promote social justice, human rights, and social inclusion. You will also develop specialist knowledge on themes such as: sustainability and climate justice; disability and mental health; migration and mobilities; childhood and youth; and creativity and well-being.



You will also develop valuable social research skills – with the support of your academic advisor – for planning and undertaking ethical, robust, and thoughtful research that promotes social justice and advances social policy analysis.



Whatever your background, we welcome applicants who – in an increasingly polarised society – remain empathetic, courageous, and hopeful.

Part I

Core Modules

SS6809 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness (10 credits)

SS6811 Social Research: Methodology and Ethics (10 credits)

SS6812 Social Policy and Social Justice (10 credits)



Elective Modules

Choose three modules:

SS6814 Disability, Mental Health and Social Justice (10 credits)

SS6815 Sustainability, Climate Justice and Eco-Social Policies (10 credits)

SS6816 Migration, Mobilities and Social Policy (10 credits)

SS6817 Childhood, Youth and Society (10 credits)

SS6818 Culture, Creativity, Well-being and Social Justice (10 credits)



Part II

SS6813 Dissertation in Social Policy and Social Justice (30 credits)

Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any of the following relevant subject areas, social policy, sociology, philosophy, politics and government, public policy, social care, social work, early childhood studies, public health, history, law, economics, archaeology, anthropology, theology or have completed the UCC Higher Diploma in Social Policy or the UCC Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion & Disability Studies.



Applicants who have a minimum Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in subject areas not listed above but who have extensive relevant professional experience such as community activism, youth work, social work, trade union activism and development work will also be considered. Such applicants may be required to attend an interview to discuss motivation, experience to date, and readiness for undertaking study at this level.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure 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.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

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

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 Year Full-time; 2 or 3 Years Part-time, online.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Our MSocSc Social Policy and Social Justice graduates will achieve a critical understanding of social policy and social justice issues, including advanced knowledge in special interest topics. They will gain advanced analytical, writing, communication, planning, collaboration, negotiation, and leadership skills, which will inform a purpose-driven, empathetic, and creative approach to problem-solving. These human-centric skills are highly sought after in the contemporary and future workplace.



Studying social policy and social justice opens up exciting, meaningful, and impactful career pathways. Our graduates typically will find employment in government, local government, and non-profit sectors, and policy organisations, research institutions, human rights organisations, NGOs, and advocacy groups.