Course Summary
This long-running MA in Social Work (MSW) equips its graduates with the knowledge, skills and training required to gain employment as registered social workers. Through a proven blend of in-class and practice-based learning, participants gain in-depth understanding of social problems and their causes, as well as policy solutions. Students build the skills necessary to work with individuals, groups and communities, with an emphasis on the promotion of human rights and social justice.
College Link
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
Prior work experience is compulsory and candidates must have obtained six months (approx. 960 hours) of voluntary or paid work experience relevant to the social work profession in order to be eligible to apply. Relevant supervised placement learning will normally count for up to a maximum of 240 hours (6 weeks). It is the candidate’s responsibility to demonstrate clearly in their application how they have met the required six months/960 hours experience and the relevant experience form in the application must be completed and submitted as part of the application. Candidates are expected to share all of their relevant experience in this form. This includes any relevant involvement with any other courses that involved relevant placements citing the details of the agencies where placements were completed. Two letters of reference, one academic and one-work related, and a well written and convincing personal statement (600 words) must also be submitted. Advertising for applications for the MA in Social Work (MSW) usually takes place in early January. Short-listed applicants will be called for interview.
Additional Requirements
Garda Vetting/Police Clearance is necessary and required for students participating in this programme.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is not formally available for the MSW programme due to the accredited nature of the course and the requirements that must be met. These learning requirements are met through an integrated programme throughout two years which all students must complete. This is in line with university RPL policy. Please note that, while we do not have a formal RPL system, prior learning is recognised in other ways. For example, the admissions processes recognises prior learning from practice experience and in the teaching processes encourages students to bring their own learning to the programme and build on this throughout.
Application Details
How to apply
We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.
Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.
Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").
Next start date: September 2024.
Closing Date: 27th January 2024.
Fees
€8,640 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€8,500 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€19,000 p.a. (€19,140 including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa
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
Social workers are much in demand and deal with a range of issues that affect people, including poverty, violence, abuse, mental health, addiction and disability. A range of voluntary, public and private sector organisations require social work services, such as the Health Services Executive, Tusla (Child and Family Agency), the Department of Justice’s probation services and local authorities. The voluntary/non-governmental sector includes specialist services to children and adults such as Ability West, Enable Ireland, Brothers of Charity Services, Galway Drugs Service, Jigsaw and COPE.