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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Diploma
5. Social Studies

Course Fact File

Code	DSSD
Duration	2 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Dip
NFQ Level	Level 7
NFQ Award Title	Minor
Fees	€1,500 per academic year See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Round One: 26 June 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Venue	University College Cork Campus
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

The Diploma in Social Studies is an interdisciplinary programme designed to introduce you to the social sciences. You will have an opportunity to study sociology, social policy, social psychology, social philosophy and economics. This diversity of disciplines allows you to develop a critical awareness of the key issues that impact on everyday life in contemporary society. In addition, the variety of topics introduced will equip you with the capacity for divergent thinking – a highly desirable attribute in the current economic climate.

Irish society has undergone rapid social change in recent years and the Diploma in Social Studies aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the key trends from a social science perspective. In the first year of the course you are introduced to the key concepts and perspectives in the social sciences through social policy, psychology, sociology and economics. In particular, you will be encouraged to apply sociological concepts to aspects of everyday life; explore and understand change and development as an economist would; appreciate how social psychology explains aspects of human behaviour and the potential to analyse social problems through social policy Students will explore potential improvements to services such as health, housing and education. The ‘Introduction to Academic Writing’ module will give students the opportunity to hone their writing, research and referencing skills and is particularly beneficial in supporting learners returning to education and those upskilling in the area.

In the second year of the course students will extend their knowledge of sociology, social policy, psychology and economics as well as exploring new subjects such as social philosophy.

PROGRESSION

Students who have achieved a 2H2 grade in the Diploma in Social Studies may apply for direct entry to Year 2 of the full time Degree in Social Science at UCC. Students who wish to progress to Second Social Science should notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the first Friday of July at the end of their second year of studying the Diploma in Social Studies. Upon successful completion of the Diploma students who have notified their intention to progress, may register and progress to the degree. Information sessions on this progression route will be provided within the Diploma course.

Students who successfully complete the Diploma in Social Studies with a 2H1 are also eligible to apply for the Higher Diploma Facilitating Inclusion, more information about this programme can be found here: Facilitating Inclusion - Disability Studies.

The Modules for the Diploma are as follows:

Year 1

• AD1868 Introduction to Academic Writing
• AP1860 Psychology as a Science
• EC1803 Markets and Governments: An Introduction to Microeconomics
• SC1806 Introduction to Sociology
• SS1840 Introduction to Social Policy

Year 2

• AP2818 Social Psychology and Development
• EC2802 Markets and Governments: An Introduction to Macroeconmics
• PH2807 Social Philosophy
• SC2804 Key Issues in Sociology
• SS2833 Exploring Irish Social Policy

Course Queries

We receive lots of queries about this programme. To see all frequently asked questions, please click here: FAQs Social Studies 2026

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Eileen McBride at eileen.mcbride@ucc.ie. 

For Online Application Support please click here. 

Important Notice: Application Deadlines

• Applications are accepted in two rounds.
• Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
• Please note: if all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
• For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised. 

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule

• This programme takes place on Tuesday evenings from 7.00pm to 10.00pm (with some tutorials starting at 6pm) on UCC Campus.
• There are occasional Saturday lectures.
• The programme runs over two academic years (an academic year is September/October to May) with the option of an exit award of Cert at the end of year one.

Assessment

• All work is assessed on a continuous basis through a combination of essays, journals of learning, short questions and an in class test.
• There are no final end of year exams but are assessed by continuous assessment.
• Students are supported throughout by their lecturers and course team.

Why Choose This Course

The course will provide participants with a firm grounding in theoretical areas and enable them to develop a capacity for critical thinking. This course provides students with a strong foundation in the social sciences and would be of particular interest to those working in the social professions or looking to get into that area and/or those with a particular interest and curiosity in society, in how it works and in subject areas such as psychology and philosophy and in understanding how social policy and structures shape the world around us. This course is open to all with an interest in learning more about the society and in the world in which we live.

Unlike some other university level courses, the only prerequisite is a Level 5 qualification (such as the Leaving Certificate or equivalent). This course is designed for those with an interest in studying social structures. This includes students exploring a change of career path or wishing to develop their current knowledge. Although not a specific qualification in social care or social work it may also be beneficial to students looking to explore further studies in these areas and in gaining a Level 7 qualification in Social Studies.

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements: 

Applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application
• Have Leaving Certificate or QQI Level 5 or an equivalent qualification
• Submit a Personal Statement, detailing their motivation to take this course and any work or life experience relevant to the subject.

Applicants may also be required to attend for interview.

English Language Requirement: 

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. See the UCC English language proficiency requirements. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not hold Leaving Certificate or QQI Level 5 may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). See information on RPL here. To be considered, applicants should have relevant work or life experience.

• If you wish to apply via RPL, you must select “Yes” to the RPL question when completing your application in UCC Apply.
• As part of the application, you will be required to submit:
  • A Personal Statement outlining your motivation for applying and detailing relevant work or life experience.
  • Any other relevant supporting documentation evidencing your prior learning - please refer to the RPL Learner Guide for details on appropriate evidence.

Fees and Costs

Fees:

The fees for this programme are €1,500 per academic year. 

• Applicants pay 50% of the year-one fee on application.
• This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
• The remaining 50% of the year-one programme fee is due by 31 Jan. 

 

ACE at UCC Concession Scheme

Those in receipt of an eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment may be eligible to apply for a concession fee rate for this programme. 

• Concession fee is €1,000 
• All students pay €750 on application  
• Those eligible for the concession fee rate pay a balance of €250 by 31st January.  

For full details on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: Ace Fees & Finance.

 

Fees, Finance & Funding Supports:

For full details on all fees, finance and funding supports, including the Financial Aid Part-time Fund, the Lough Credit Union loan rate and Sanctuary scholarships, please visit: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/acefinance/ 

How To Apply

Applications are accepted in two rounds.

• Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
• Please note: if all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
• For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.

Before you apply, check to ensure you have access to the following documents which you will need to upload:

• Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
• Passport-style Photograph
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the course
• English Language Test Report (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation if required for RPL

Start Your Application

Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).

1. Start a new application
   • WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
2. During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
   • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
   • Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
   • Academic Programme: Social Studies - Dip

Application Guides

A step-by-step visual application guide for this specific programme is available – please email the Programme Coordinator. You can view a general application guide for all part-time programmes here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/ 

Apply Now