Course Summary
The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (NFQ Level 9) is a two-year full-time course that combines academic study with fieldwork placements. This programme is approved by CORU.
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Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Candidates 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 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: Applicants should NOT apply for BOTH the Masters and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work options as it is the one selection procedure for both options. The Postgraduate Diploma option is aimed at graduates who have already completed their BSocSc level 8 degree (or equivalent) and achieved at least an overall 3H result.
Both Applicants who have graduated with at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in their BSoSc level 8 (or equivalent) or Second Class Honours Grade I in the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (Level 8) (or equivalent) and Current FINAL year students pending their final results in the Summer exams should apply for the Masters Of Social Work option ONLY.
Final year candidates who are successful at interview will be allocated places on the MSW, conditional on achieving a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in their final degree/Higher Diploma exams. Should they obtain at least a Third Class Honours in their final exams, they will be allocated a place on the PgDip Social Work Studies. (See http://www.ucc.ie/en/cke64 for the MSW details).
IMPORTANT NOTE: For those that do not have the requisite BSocSc (level 8) or its equivalent, the Higher Diploma in Social Policy is a conversion course giving a foundation in the field of social policy for graduates who do not hold a social science degree. See http://www.ucc.ie/en/cka02 for more details.
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 - full details may be found here.
All applicants should also consult about the Selection Process on our School of Applied Social Studies FAQ page.
Application Details
Fees
The Non-EU fee for this course is €18,800 per year.
Deposits
If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.
EU student fee payment
Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration in August and the second in January.
International student fee payment
International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.
Questions?
If you have any questions on fee payment email our Fees Office at [email protected].
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
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.
Career Progression
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.