Social Work

Course Outline

The Master of Social Work (NFQ Level 9) programme is a two-year full-time course that combines academic study with fieldwork placements. This programme is approved by CORU. When you finish the MSW you will have a qualification that enables you to register as a social worker with regulatory bodies in Ireland (CORU) and abroad. Find out more about the School of Applied Social Studies here, about social work in UCC on X/Twitter and Linkedin.



It is also possible to study for your MSW at UCC through an apprenticeship with an employer - click here to find out more information. All successful applicants for an apprenticeship in social work will be automatically enrolled on the MSW/PDSWS at UCC. You can apply directly to study for your MSW at UCC and also apply for an apprenticeship in social work with an employer.



Prospective applicants should also visit our School of Applied Social Studies website at http://www.ucc.ie/en/msw. This website has been designed to answer questions you may have about our social work programmes.



This MA is a full-time professional training programme running for 21 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.



As part of this MA you will take modules in social work theory, skills, social policy and topics specific to social work settings such as child and family welfare and mental health.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

A limited number of placement opportunities outside of Ireland are available each year. The School has links with placement agencies in the US, India, South Africa, and some European countries. Students are advised that international placements are only possible in year 2 of the programme. International placements are not available to apprentices.

Students take 60 credits in each year of the programme (a total of 120 credits). The programme is divided into six thematically-based combinations as detailed below.



Year I

SS6101 Social Work Approaches 1: Theory and Practice

SS6105 Social Policy and Social Exclusion

SS6106 Applied Social Research 1

SS6107 User Experiences in Diverse Contexts 1 (mental health, substance misuse and social work, social work in healthcare settings)

SS6108 Child and Family Welfare 1

SS6112 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement 1

SS6115 The Rights and Welfare of Adults at Risk of Harm

LW6005 Social Work and the Law (Child Law)



Year II

SS6200 Social Work Approaches II: Theory & Practice (Critical and Radical Social Work; Sustainability, Environmental and Social Justice Issues; Community Work)

SS6201 Child and Family Welfare II

SS6202 User Experiences in Diverse Contexts 2 (Probation and Offending; Working with Young People; Working with Disabled People; Age & Ageing)

SS6207 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement II

SS6206 Dissertation in Social Work

LW6003 Social Work and the Law (The Rights of Vulnerable Persons).

Admission to the Masters of Social Work (MSW) is open to a limited number of students holding at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours (NFQ, Level 8) BSocSc Degree (or its equivalent), or graduates who have successfully completed an approved conversion programme, i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy with at least a Second Class Honours Grade I (or its equivalent).



There is a selection process based on the following combined elements: academic performance and research capacity; certified social work-related experience and initiative; knowledge of social work and motivation, commitment and suitability.



Important Note:

1. Applicants should NOT apply for both the Masters and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies options as there is ONE selection procedure for both options. 

2. Please note that the Masters of Social Work (MSW) does not accept applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you intend to apply through RPL, you must apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies.



Requirements for MSW applicants:

1) Applicants have already graduated with at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours (NFQ, Level 8) BSocSc Degree (or its equivalent);

2) Applicants have already graduated with at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in an approved level 8 conversion programme, i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (or its equivalent);

3) Applicants are current final year students in BSocSc (level 8) (or its equivalent) pending their final results in their Summer exams; or

4) Applicants are current students on an approved level 8 conversion programme, i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (or its equivalent) pending their final results in their Summer exams.



And

5) Have 420 hours of social work-related experience by interview date. See our FAQ here for further information.



6) Be able to secure Garda Vetting (police).



Current final year BSocSc students/current Higher Diploma in Social Policy students / final year students on approved equivalent courses who are successful at their interview will be allocated places on the MSW, conditional on achieving a minimum 2nd Class Honours Grade I in their final degree exams. Should they not obtain a 2nd Class Honours Grade I, they will then be allocated a place on the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies on confirmation of their results.



The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies option is also aimed at graduates who have already completed their BSocSc level 8 degree (or equivalent) but achieved an overall result of less than a 2nd Class Honours Grade I. 



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway

For those interested in studying social work at UCC who do not meet these eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply to the PDSWS under our new recognition of prior learning (RPL) pathway. The RPL eligibility criteria are available on the PDSWS website.



Garda Vetting

Please note that as part of this programme students will require Garda Vetting as they will take part in a placement or UCC related activity where they will be working in an unsupervised capacity with children and/or vulnerable adults. For more information on this process please read the UCC Student Garda Vetting Policy



Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.



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: 10 February 2025

Non-EU Closing Date: 10 February 2025

Assessment

You will undertake a wide variety of academic and practice assessments. You are assessed through group projects, enquiry-based learning assignments, reflective portfolios and learning journals, essays, research presentations, and a minor dissertation.

2 years full-time.

Start Date 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

On graduation, you will have been prepared for professional registration and be in a position to demonstrate the core social work practice proficiencies (as prescribed by CORU) in the areas of professional autonomy and accountability, interpersonal and professional relationships, effective communication, personal and professional development, provision of quality services, knowledge, understanding and skills. You will be able to exhibit a good knowledge of theory, legislation, policy, official inquiry reports and international conventions, and apply it to assessment and intervention planning in social work practice. Consequentially, you will be well prepared to respond reflectively and reflexively to a variety of social work situations in a diversity of social work settings, including multi-disciplinary contexts.



The variety of social work fields that have attracted and employed our graduates to date include medical, mental health, child protection, probation, physical and intellectual disability, community social work and primary care.