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Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
PAC Course Code: CKC06
Qualification: PG Dip
Duration: 2 Years, full-time
Fees: The Irish/EU tuition fee level for this Master programme for the 2011/2012 (Year 1 full-time) will be €6,835.00. A similar level fee will be payable in year 2 of the programme
Closing Date - EU Applicants: Fri, 15 January 10
Closing Date - Non-EU Applicants: Fri, 15 January 10

Overview of Social Work (PG Dip)

The Masters in Social Work/Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies is a two year full-time programme that combines academic study with fieldwork placements. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the NQSW - the national qualification in social work.

The overall aim of those concerned with the development and conduct of the MSW/PDSWS at UCC and of social work education generally, is to develop informed and skilled social work practitioners qualified to work in the Health Service Executive (formerly Health Boards), probation, hospitals, community agencies and voluntary agencies which provide services for a range of groups and communities.

Applicants should check the entry requirements below to ascertain if they should apply for the Masters OR the Postgraduate Diploma option. Applicants should ONLY apply for ONE of these options as it is the same selection procedure for both options.

All prospective applicants should also check the School of Applied Social Studies website at: School of Applied Social Studies - PDSWS

This website has been designed to answer most of the questions you may have about the PGDSWS, social work and applying for the MSW/PGDSWS.

What will I be Studying?

Year I - Students take 60 credits as follows:

Social Work, Counselling and Development Issues
Social Work Theory I: Theory and Practice (10 credits)
Family and Child Welfare I (5 credits)
Human Growth and Development (5 credits)
Social Work Practice and Fieldwork Placement I
Practice Skills I (10 credits)
Fieldwork Placement I (10 credits)

Social Science, Law and Social Work Settings
Social Policy, Social Exclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practice (5 credits)
Applied Social Research (5 credits)
Law and Rights I (5 credits)
Social Work Settings I (5 credits)

Year II - Students take 60 credits as follows:

Social Work, User Groups and Law
Social Work Theory II: Theory and Practice (5 credits)
Family and Child Welfare II (5 credits)
Law and Rights II (5 credits)
Social Work Settings II (5 credits)

Social Work Practice, Counselling Skills and Fieldwork Placement II Practice Skills II (10 credits)
Fieldwork Placement II (10 credits)

Dissertation and Practice Research Presentation Dissertation (20 credits) (Masters Students)
Practice Project (20 credits) (Higher Diploma Students)

Link to University Postgraduate Calendar: Programme Entry

Entry Requirements

BSocSc Graduates (or its equivalent) who have already completed their degrees and achieved an overall PASS or 3H result can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies option (CKC06). Students who achieve a mark of at least 50% in each module in the First Year of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies may be permitted to transfer to the Second Year of the MSW (CKE64) programme.

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

N.B. Applicants should NOT apply for both the Masters (CKE64) and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (CKC06) options as it is the one selection procedure for both options. Current final year students, 2009/2010 should apply for the Masters Of Social Work option (CKE64) only, pending their final results in Summer 2010. Final year candidates who are successful at interview will be allocated places on the MSW, conditional on achieving a minimum 2H2 in their final degree exams. Should they obtain 3H or Pass in their final exams, they will be allocated a place on the PgDipSocWkStudies.

All applicants should also consult with the Frequently Asked Questions about the Selection Process: FAQs

English Language Requirements:

IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent

Part-Time Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Please note that non-EU applicants are not eligible to study part-time programmes

Application Procedure

Application for this programme is on-line at www.pac.ie/ucc The closing date for online applications is Friday 15th January, 2010. For full details of the online application procedure click How to apply.

Please note that you will also be asked to fill in an additional special SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORM and arrange for TWO REFEREES' REPORT FORMS to be completed, as part of the applications process for this programme. This Supplementary Information Form and the two Referee's report forms will be downloaded and printed during the online application process. Both these forms are available to view here:- SupplementaryFormCKC06

In addition to the special Referees' Report forms, ALL APPLICANTS must also include WRITTEN CERTIFICATION of your social work/social work related experience to date. This should be a signed letter on headed notepaper from each employer/voluntary organisation specifying your duties and responsibilities and the number of hours completed.

NON-UCC APPLICANTS MUST also submit evidence of any qualification(s) (academic results and certificates/parchments) that were not completed in University College Cork and evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable).

All required documentation (completed Supplementary Information Forms, Written Certification of Work Experience and evidence of Non-UCC results to date (if applicable), (marked with your PAC application number) MUST be sent in hard copy to the Postgraduate Applications Centre,1, Courthouse Square, Galway by Friday 22nd January, 2010.

N.B. the Referees' Reports Forms must be forwarded to your referees, who must then complete and return DIRECTLY to Ms. Emma Lindstrom-Cantwell, Social Work Secretary, School of Applied Social Studies, UCC by Friday 29th January, 2010.

On receipt of the online application, the completed Supplementary Information forms, Written Certification of social work related experience, Referees Report Forms and evidence of non-UCC qualifications (where applicable) applicants will be shortlisted for interview by the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork.

Group and individual interviews take place in March and candidates are advised of the outcome sometime in Mid April

Further Information

Number of Places: 50-60 places

Website: www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/study/postgrad/msw

Ms. Simone McCaughren,
Course Coordinator and Selection Coordinator (MSW)
Email: s.mccaughren@ucc.ie
Tel. 00 353 21 4901887

Dr. Kenneth Burns,
Deputy Course Director and Selection Coordinator (MSW)
Email: k.burns@ucc.ie
Tel: 00 353 21 4903151