Eligible Courses for Direct Entry to the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (PDSWS) programmes at University College Cork

The following programmes have been deemed to be equivalent to the Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) at UCC for purposes of being eligible to apply directly to study for the Master of Social Work (2H1 or higher) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (PDSWS, pass or 2H2 grade in your degree).

While this list is not exhaustive, it is important to note that requests for equivalency applications MUST be completed by the School of Applied Social Studies to the College of CACSSS for candidates without a Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc), BA Hons in Social Care, or a Higher Diploma in Social Policy/Social Studies or one of the approved programmes listed below. For example, applicants with undergraduate social work programmes (e.g. BSW) from other countries can apply directly, but an equivalence check must be undertaken if your application is successful.

If your programme is not listed, you may still be able to apply to the PDSWS programme under the Recognition of Prior
Learning pathway (RPL). See our detailed RPL Guide for further information on eligibility criteria for the RPL pathway.

Social Science Course Equivalent Programmes

Higher Diploma in Social Policy (conversion programmes)

CORU-approved social care qualifications

Honours (Level 8) qualifications on this list meet the academic requirement. Ordinary (Level 7) qualifications do
not on their own, but may support an RPL application. List as published by CORU, Social Care Workers approved
qualifications, accessed 9 October 2026 (49 qualifications). Check CORU for later additions.

Examples of Programmes assessed as not meeting the equivalence standard

Current Version Date: 15 October 2026
Version Number: 8
Planned Date for Revision: 30 September 2028
Author: Deputy Director, School of Applied Social Studies