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University College Cork

Social Policy - Online

Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online) is a conversion course giving a foundation in the field of social policy for graduates who do not hold a social science degree. It can be studied full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

The course is delivered online. It provides a flexible approach to study for students with employment and/or care responsibilities; as well as those restricted geographically.

The course sets social policy in the context of the social sciences. The course is particularly relevant to those who want to apply for professional postgraduate courses in social work, e.g. Master of Social Work.

Students will study core modules on topics including the evolution of the welfare state, poverty, social exclusion, social policy, and social analysis. Students will be introduced to critical areas of study within the field of social policy including:

housing and homelessness;
social professions and social work;
social groups and social rights;
social research and ethics;
identity and self;
political and economic rights

Students will also undertake a supervised 10,000 word, social research project on a social policy topic of the student's choice (in consultation with his/her supervisor). This will be a desk-based piece of research, involving an exploration of policy and literature.

Why Choose This Course

This Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) is a flexible, online programme that accounts for the busy schedules of working students. It allows students to engage with the course material when it suits them. For an online programme, the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online) offers a great deal of choice to students.

The School of Applied Social Studies is dedicate to providing high quality teaching and learning resources. The academics involved in teaching on the programme have extensive research experience in the discipline of social policy. There is a strong commitment to support students in their study and students can expect ongoing support from staff throughout the year.

The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online) gives students a foundation in the study of the welfare state and the social services. It is a conversion course for those who don't hold a social science degree, but wish to apply for the Master of Social Work course. The course also prepares students for entry to other postgraduate courses in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, e.g. social policy, planning, youth and community work, social services administration and child care.

Entry requirements

Requirements

The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Online) is open to graduates who do not already possess a BSocSc (Hons) Degree.

This is a conversion course and is designed for graduates of any discipline who may be interested in pursuing further study in the fields of social policy or social work.

The minimum entry requirement is an Ordinary Bachelor's degree (Level 7) or equivalent.

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; 2 years part-time
Course Delivery Method Online

CKA50 Full-time; CKA51 Part-time;

Course Practicalities
Each module is built around a series of weekly short lectures, assigned readings and online discussions. Full-time students can typically expect 10-15 hours of study per week alongside moderated activities. For the part-time option, students can typically expect 6 - 7 hours of study per week. The course is designed to be flexible to consider the busy schedules of students with employment and care responsibilities. The online delivery will allow students to engage with the course material when it suits them. It is important to note that more time will be required to research and write assignments.

Students must also make themselves available for occasional online supervisory meetings in the second semester while writing their research report. The research report is taken in the second semester. It is a desk-based piece of research of 10,000 words in length.

As the course is delivered online, it is recommended that applicants have access to reliable internet connection of at least 2Mb/s or more download speed and 0.5Mb/s upload speed.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information
The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online) gives students a foundation in the study of the welfare state and the social services. It is a conversion course for those who don't hold a social science degree, but wish to apply for the Master of Social Work course. The course also prepares students for entry to other postgraduate courses in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, e.g. social policy, planning, youth and community work, social services administration and child care.

Further enquiries

Skills and Careers Information

Subjects taught

PART I

Core Modules:

SS5101 Social Policy and Social Theory (online) (10 credits) – Semester 1 and 2

SS5102 Contemporary Social Policy Analysis (online) (10 credits) – Semester 1 and 2

SS5108 Poverty and Social Exclusion (online) (5 credits) – Semester 1

SS5106 Housing and Homelessness (online) (5 credits) – Semester 1

Plus

Elective Modules (Students choose 15 credits from the following):
SS5110 Social Policy and Social Work (online) (5 credits) – Semester 2

SS5105 Social Professions and Social Practice IV (online) (5 credits) – Semester 1
SS5107 Education and welfare (online) (5 credits) – Semester 2
SS5109 The Politics of Racism (online) (5 credits) – Semester 2

Part II

Core module
SS5104 Social Research Report (15 credits) – Semester 2

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.

Assessment method

Assessment

Summative assessment in the taught component of the course consists of essays, portfolios, policy papers, reports, analysis of texts. The research report is a 10,000 word document and is undertaken under the supervision of a staff member. Students are also supported for this project with a series of guiding videos. Formative assessment such as participation in group discussions and collaborative projects are not assigned marks.

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/