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University College Cork

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.

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

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

Entry requirements

Requirements
To apply for this course you will need an undergraduate degree in social policy of 2H2 honours level 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 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).

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

English Language Requirements

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

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.

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.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Duration

1 year, full-time
Part-time 2 years

Lectures take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5.30-7.30 pm (for both full-time and part-time students). You are also expected to engage in ongoing online seminar activities and discussions, as well as self-directed learning. You are required to read articles before attending lectures.

Careers or further progression

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.

Further enquiries

Phil O'Sullivan
phil.osullivan@ucc.ie
+ 353 21 490 2228
https://www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/courses/

Dr Eluska Fernandez
e.fernandez@ucc.ie

Subjects taught

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:

Migration, Mobilities and Social Policy

Provides a critical understanding of contemporary issues and debates relating to the politics, power relations and social transformations of migration policy and practice.

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.

Debates in Critical Social Policy

Gives you an advanced understanding of social policy theory, and the skills needed to analyse key contemporary social policy issues. You will be encouraged to theorise and critically examine the implications of recent trends for social policy and welfare states.

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

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

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.
https://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/modules/

Assessment method

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

Application date

Applications for academic year 2020/2021 are open.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means offers are made four times a year on a rolling basis. Some courses have one specific closing date, please check your course prospectus page for this information.

The UCC rounds closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of full applications:
For all completed applications received by January 10th 2020
Offers will be made by January 24th 2020

For all completed applications received by March 2nd 2020
Offers will be made by March 16th 2020

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2020
Offers will be made by May 15th 2020

For all completed applications received by July 1st 2020
Offer will be made by July 15th 2020

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity.

Non-EU Closing Date: 15 June
Non-EU Applicants: Information for Non-EU applicants may be found on the International Office Website https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/