Check your eligibility at this link

Apprentices enter through either a Master of Social Work (MSW) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (PDSWS).  There is opportunity to move to the MSW in Year 2 if specified criteria are met.  Both the MSW and PDSWS are approved by CORU for registration as a Social Worker on successful completion of the apprenticeship. 

Qualifications must be fully complete to be considered for an entry route. Students who are still studying, including those in their final year, are not eligible to apply based on a qualification that is yet to be obtained. If this applies to you, you may be eligible to apply via another entry route. If not, you may be eligible to apply directly to the MSW/PDSWS programmes at UCC, or consider applying for the apprenticeship in a future year.

Certified copies of the original academic transcripts, specifying the subjects studied and the grades attained, from the issuing educational institution / awarding body will be required prior registration to University College Cork.

All awards must meet the criteria specified in the entry requirements provided below. For more details on NFQ levels, please visit https://www.qqi.ie/.

Entry Requirements to Master of Social Work (MSW)

Applicants must have at least a Second-Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in social science or its equivalent, or have an approved Level 8 conversion programme i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy with at least a Second-Class Honours Grade I, and have completed a minimum of three-months’ relevant work experience in a social work or social work-related field.

Entry Requirements to Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (PDSWS)

If you have not met the grade requirements for the MSW, you can apply for entry to the PDSWS if you have at least an honours primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) in social science or its equivalent, or hold an approved Level 8 conversion programme i.e. the Higher Diploma in Social Policy, and have completed a minimum of three-months’ relevant work experience in a social work or social work-related field. 

Entry via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): 

If you have relevant prior learning, you may be able to use it to gain entry to the apprenticeship programme. This is helpful for learners who do not meet the traditional entry requirements outlined above. Applicants who apply via RPL need to clearly demonstrate in their application that they have the required relevant experience. This can include paid and voluntary experience, and relevant lived experience.

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may 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’ professional experience in a social work or social work-related field may also be considered for admission.

Note:  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