Béibhinn Ní Chaisleáin, MSW student
Asong Jingwa, MSW graduate
Professor Eleanor Bantry White, Course Director
"I was in my early 40s when I began the Masters in Social Work programme in UCC and prior to this had worked in the community and voluntary sector for many years. I always had an interest in working with vulnerable older adults and decided to get a social work qualification that would enable me to work in this area. The MSW is an excellent academic and practical programme that really prepares you for a career in a variety of social work settings. I really enjoyed all of the lectures over the two years and found the whole experience to be transformational from a learning point of view. It is never too late to go back to full-time education. My two practice placements were challenging but proved to be great learning experiences that undoubtedly prepared me for professional practice. I received great support from my tutor throughout the programme as well as the various lecturers on the programme who really want you to succeed. For my thesis, I had the opportunity to carry out community-based participatory research with my then employer ALONE on a topic that I was really passionate about. It was a great feeling handing over a piece of research that I knew would be of benefit to the organisation. I highly recommend this programme to anyone wishing to pursue a career in social work. On completing the programme, I was fortunate to secure a Medical Social Worker for Older People (ICPOP) position in St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny". Philip O'Reilly
"I was in my late 30s when I began the MSW programme and I came with a variety of work and academic experience. I found the MSW programme receptive of all I came with and willing to incorporate it into how I progressed in my professional development as a social worker. The MSW programme is based on a model of ‘Reflective Learning’ and this is embedded in a variety of ways; learning journal, tutorial groups, structure of practice placements and so on. I find this model a most necessary and central aspect to how I practice as a social worker in terms of the often complex situations I find myself working with. The ability to work reflectively means that for the people I encounter on a daily basis they will meet a professional that responds rather than reacts to the dilemmas of their lives. On completing the programme I secured a full-time social work position with the Bedford Row Family Project in Limerick City. I left the MSW programme not certain of what the role of social work is (I find this is often an organic and evolving role) but I left with confidence in my ability to enter this profession with a sound theoretical and practice base". Bernie O’Grady.
"The MSW course I participated in used many different forms of study such as group work, individual study, two practice placements and I received regular support from individual tutors. I also had the opportunity to carry out participatory research for an agency that I work for as the MSW participates in Community Academic Research Links (Science Shop). This allowed me to carry out research that I was interested in and also benefited the agency. I felt very supported throughout the research by my tutor. Overall, the MSW at UCC is a great course, I got the opportunity to be part of a great class, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about themselves through reflective practice". Karen McInerney, MSW Graduate.
"While on MSW programme, I met many people (lecturers and students) who supported me and gave me the confidence to complete this course. During the two years, I had an opportunity to learn and practice social work theories and skills required to become a competent social worker. My current work with young people is influenced by a variety of knowledge and training I was able to gain through the MSW (groupwork, cultural competence, International Law, my two practice placements and much more). I’ve learned to think critically about many social issues and deal with them professionally. I gained in-depth knowledge about social work processes and thinking through reflection. Reflection as a tool allowed me to grow academically and professionally and it also made me to think more clearly about myself. The success of the two years of study wouldn't be possible without a great MSW team and my fellow students, who are now friends for life". Zuzana Strbianova, MSW Graduate.
"As a mature student, I'm thoroughly enjoying the course! It has been the best decision I've ever made to take the leap from full-time employment into full-time education. Much of that is owed to the quality of course content and to the lecturers and classmates I've had the pleasure of meeting". MSW Graduate
Year 1
SS6112 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement 1; SS6106 Applied Social Research 1; SS6108 Child and Family Welfare 1; LW6005 Social Work and the Law (Child Law); SS6105 Social Policy and Social Exclusion; SS6107 User Experiences in Diverse Contexts 1; SS6101 Social Work Approaches 1: Theory and Practice (+Groupwork); SS6115 The Rights and Welfare of Adults at Risk of Harm
Year 2
SS6207 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement 2; SS6201 Child and Family Welfare 2; LW6003 Social Work and the Law (The Rights of Vulnerable Persons); SS6200 Social Work Approaches 2: Theory and Practice; SS6206 Dissertation in Social Work (MSW); SS6205 Practice Project (PDSWS); SS6202 User Experiences in Diverse Contexts 1
Fieldwork Practice Placements and on the Job Learning
Practice placements and on the job learning are an integral part of the programme. Students and apprentices are required to complete 1,000 placement / on the job learning hours (normally two fourteen-week blocks of 500 hours each). For at least one of these placements, students will be required to move outside Cork. The course has a wide range of placements within both voluntary organisations and statutory agencies in Ireland and abroad. Apprentices will complete their on the job learning with the employers.
Follow us on our social media accouns for updates on the programme, research, CPD, conferences, and community activities.
X/Twitter - @UCCsocialwork (social work activities)
Linkedin - click here (social work activities)
X/Twitter - @UCCAppSoc (we are part of the School of Applied Social Studies at UCC)
X/Twitter - @UCC (wider UCC activities in Cork)
What are the important dates in the selection process?
The advert to notify the opening of the selection process is normally placed on the School website / social media accounts during November. The closing date for applications is normally the end of January / early February. The interviews usually take place during February/March. Applicants receive a decision about 2-3 weeks after the end of the interview process. The course normally starts in September.
What award does the MSW / PGDSWS lead to?
Our programmes lead to two possible degree awards. Students whose average grades are 50% or higher on all modules and pass their placements are awarded a Master of Social Work (MSW). Students whose grades are less than 50%, and who pass their placements, are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (PDSWS).
Will I be a professionally qualified social worker when I graduate?
Both academic awards will make you eligible to apply to CORU for registration as a social worker. This is an independent process managed by CORU. The MSW / PDSWS are long-established courses recognised by CORU and other international regulatory bodies. Please see the CORU website for further information.
What degrees/courses are recognised as equivalent to the BSocSc (National University of Ireland) and what subjects would I need to have studied?
The Bachelor of Social Science degree is the primary degree for equivalency purposes for the MSW/PDSWS. All of the level 8 BA (Hons.) Applied Social Studies (Social Care) degrees, the BA Early Years and Childhood Studies degree (UCC), Bachelor Degree and Higher Diploma in Youth and Community Work, BA Hons in Social Policy, and non-equivalent degrees where the candidate has also completed a recognised Higher Diploma in Social Policy (UCC online and UCC campus-based), are recognised as equivalent to the BSocSc degree for the purpose of applying to the MSW/PDSWS. Click here for a list of programmes that have been assessed as being equivalent to the BSocSc at UCC.
If your course is not on this list, but it contains 20+ credits of social policy, you may be eligible to apply. Students whose degree course does not fit this subject profile can now apply under the recognition of prior learning pathway (see below).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - My degree is not one of the degrees recognised - can I apply? Yes, if you meet additional criteria
Prospective candidates who would like to pursue a career in social work, but whose degree is not recognised as equivalent to the BSocSc, can do a conversion course in the School of Applied Social Studies called the Higher Diploma in Social Policy (UCC online and UCC campus-based courses) or apply under RPL. Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who:
- Hold an honours primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any discipline, and have completed a minimum of twelve months relevant work experience in a social work or social work-related field, or
- Hold a primary ordinary degree (NFQ, Level 7) in social science or its equivalent with an overall result of at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 and have completed at least three years experience in a social work or social work-related field or
- Non-graduates with at least five years of professional experience in a social work or social work-related field may also be considered for admission.
My degree is not a level 8 degree - can I apply?
Yes, you can apply under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route if you meet the practice experience criteria. Alternatively, you could complete a Higher Diploma in Social Policy (UCC online and UCC campus-based courses) which would also make you eligible to apply.
What does social work-related practice experience mean?
Examples of practice experiences that candidates have undertaken in the past include: Simon Community, Citizens Information Services, Nightline (UCC), residential care work, observational placements such as Probation and Health Service Executive, access work with the Tusla, social work-related posts, disability services, community and voluntary groups, youth work, SUAS (UCC), Hope Foundation, volunteer programmes abroad, advocacy groups such as Alzheimer's society, Age Action, health care work, Amnesty International, and, and, and … (not an exhaustive list!).
It is not expected that these are paid positions, nor that candidates have done the hours consecutively, nor that your role was that of a social worker. As long your social work-related practice experience adds up to required amount of hours/months and you can make the connections to social work, then that is likely to be satisfactory. A pre-selection review of the applications takes place by the MSW/PGDSWS course team to assess the relevance of the social work-related practice experience of all candidates. Candidates must provide as much detail about their work experience as possible.
I don’t have the social work-related practice experience, but I will have the hours completed by the interview date. Can I still apply?
Yes, we would encourage you to apply if you have 250+ hours at the time of application (BSocSc route); please state clearly on your application form how you hope to complete the hours before the interview date.
Garda Vetting: What if I have a Garda/Police record?
All students and apprentices on this programme will require Garda Vetting in order to attend placement. University College Cork has made arrangements with the Gardaí in relation to Garda Vetting procedures. All candidates who accept places on this programme must complete and sign GARDA VETTING FORMS and return them to UCC. Please note: All students on the MSW/PDSWS must have Garda Vetting. Should matters arise in the Garda check form, a student may be asked to delay taking up a placement until the clearance is confirmed or, alternatively, they may be requested to leave the course. The public interest and protection of vulnerable persons will take precedence in our deliberations regarding the nature of a person's record. Some very minor incidents on a person's record from a long time ago may be deemed acceptable by UCC, but this does not guarantee that CORU or a similar international regulatory body will take the same opinion and we provide no warranty in this regard. From UCC's perspective, offences of a recent, and/or sexual, violent, criminal, or recurring nature are very likely to lead to exclusion.
Do I have to provide evidence / certify my practice hours?
We no longer require applicants to certify their practice hours, but it is expected that your hours/roles and responsibilities as listed on your online UCC application are accurate. If there is some doubt, we may ask you to provide further information or to speak with someone in the agency where you completed your hours.
Will interviews be held online or face-to-face?
All interviews will be held online.
How do I submit my references?
All applicants have to provide one practice and one academic reference as part of the selection process. This will be submitted by your referees through an online form. As part of your online application, you will need to provide the email addresses of your two referees.
Why have I not been offered an interview?
We try to offer interviews to all applicants; however, as there is a limit to the number of applicants that we can interview, a short-listing process may take place. This short-listing procedure examines the presentation and quality of the written applications, whether applicants have included all of the relevant documentation, whether applicants’ academic qualifications are equivalent to the BSocSc, academic ability and the quality and breadth of applicants’ social work-related practice experience. Candidates whose applications are incomplete are not offered interviews.
I have previously applied for the MSW/PDSWS, but was not successful at interview. Can I apply again?
If you have previously been unsuccessful in securing a place on the MSW/PGSWS, you may reapply. If you are not offered a place the first time you apply, do not be discouraged; students in the past have come back and reapplied with more experience.
I live outside the European Union
International/Non-EU students - apply online also through our online application system. The same supplementary candidate’s statement form and references are also required. If the applicants are from countries where English is not their first language, they also have to submit an IELTS or TOEFL English language proficiency result as a part of their application. The closing date for applications is the same as for EU applicants. A review will be undertaken of the comparability of your degree and grading standards compared to the level of the degrees in Ireland. Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Can I study for my MSW / PDSWS from another country?
It is not possible to study for your MSW / PDSWS and be based in another country. You must travel to UCC / Ireland to attend classes and placements. Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information. International applicants are also eligible to apply for the apprenticeship in social work. Click here for information. Interviews for the programme are undertaken online.
Fitness to Practise
As part of their University programme, some students are required to undertake placement and training that involve dealing directly with patients, clients or service users. All students and apprentices commencing the first year of the MSW/PGDSWS at UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards in order to progress to the next year of their programme. Students and apprentices registering on the MSW / PGDSWS are required to read and sign a form to accept the Fitness to Practice requirements at registration and annually at re-registration. Click here for further details on the University's Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedural Guidelines.
Please read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below before you email us as the answer may already be on this website! If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please email us at MSW@ucc.ie. Best of luck with your application!
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