Course Summary
Course Category: Tertiary Education Programmes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) tertiary degree will be eligible to apply to be registered as a social worker with regulatory bodies in Ireland and internationally. This full-time four-year undergraduate degree integrates theory and practice through further education, university and agency-based learning. Successful completion of this tertiary degree leads to an academic qualification (BSW) and it is approved by the Health and Social Care Professional Council (CORU) as a social work training course. Successful graduates can use their qualification to apply to CORU to be placed on the register of social workers. In Ireland, all social workers need to be registered to practise.
Incorporating the Level 5 Applied Social Studies with the BSc (Hons) Social Work will give learners the opportunity to start their degree in Social Work in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector leading to direct access to the University College Cork (UCC).
The BSW Degree is a professional training programme approved by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU). As a professional training programme, social work students are required to attend every class of each module (including fieldwork placements) unless unavoidably prevented from doing so. If a student’s attendance falls below 80% in any module, they will be required to repeat that module before being allowed to proceed with their training. Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting and to adhere to UCC’s Fitness to Practice policy.
Provider Locations and Structure
Students will spend the first year of this programme at the College of Further Education, Morrison’s Island Campus, in Cork City as well as taking weekly lectures in UCC.
Year 2 of the course is university-based, and lectures take place over two 12-week semesters.
In Years 3 and 4, students undertake one semester in the University and another on a 14-week professional placement.
Year 1 – Cork College of Further Education, Morrison’s Island Campus & University College Cork. Apply to Morrison's Island Campus, Cork
Years 2-4 – University College Cork.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
Progression to CAO Courses
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
