Social Work Studies

Course Outline

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (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 this PDSWS 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 PDSWS 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 PDSWS 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.



Applicants should check the entry requirements below to ascertain if they should apply for the Masters in Social Work OR the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies option.

Applicants should ONLY apply for ONE of these options as it is the same selection procedure for both options (Final Year Students) or current Higher Diploma in Social Policy students should apply for the Master's level (MSW) programme.



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 and are not available to apprentices.

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

SS6205 Practice Research Project

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

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (CKC06) is confined to students holding a BSocSc (Hons) Degree with an overall result of at least a Third Class Honours or its equivalent, such as (but not limited to) the BA in Early Years and Childhood Studies, BA Hons in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, or graduates with a conversion course, i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (or its equivalent) A full list of other programmes that have been deemed to be equivalent to the BSocSc is available here.



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).



Students/apprentices on the PDSWS who pass each module and achieve an aggregate of at least 50% across all modules and have passed the Fieldwork Placement I, may be permitted to transfer into the second year of the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.



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. 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. Entry requirements differ under RPL, depending on your level of education and experience:



Hold an honours primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline, and have completed a minimum of twelve months relevant work experience in a social work or social work-related field or



Hold a primary ordinary degree (NFQ, Level 7) in social science or its equivalent with an overall result of at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 and have completed at least three years experience in a social work or social work-related field or



Non-graduates with at least five years of professional experience in a social work or social work-related field may also be considered for admission.



The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that they apply for the correct pathway from the outset of their application and provide all required information and documentation to support their RPL application. Applications will not be considered under RPL without the required RPL information provided as part of the application.



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.

60 ECTS credits

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 (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. Fields of social work 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.