About Social Work (bsw (hons)) in University College Cork

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will make you eligible to apply to be registered as a social worker with regulatory bodies in Ireland and internationally. This full-time four-year undergraduate degree is open to mature students only, and integrates university-based and agency-based learning. Successful completion leads to an academic qualification (BSW) and it is approved by the Health and Social Care Professional Council as a social work training course.

Years 1 and 2 of the course are college-based and lectures take place over two 12-week semesters.

In Years 3 and 4, you undertake one semester in college and another on a 14-week professional placement.

The BSW is a full-time, professional course that requires considerable commitment on the part of students. However, as the BSW is a course specifically for mature students, we have particular interest in trying to support students who may be returning to education after a lengthy absence. This is reflected in the orientation of the course and how it is run.

We recognise the valuable life and professional experiences you bring to the course, and you are encouraged to critically reflect on these in order to promote the development of your social-work practice. The course also incorporates approaches to teaching and learning appropriate for adult learners.

These methods include interactive teaching, group work, self-directed study, critical reflective learning, peer feedback and continuous assessment.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Practice placements are an integral part of the course. You are required to complete two 14-week fieldwork placements, for at least one of which you may be required to move outside Cork (consideration is given to students with children and other caring responsibilities).

The course has a wide range of placements within both voluntary organisations and statutory agencies in Ireland and abroad. We have strong links with agencies in South Africa, Chicago (US) and India and several students have completed placements with these organisations.

Skills and Careers Information

This course is approved by the Health and Social Care Professional Council (CORU) as a socialwork training course. Successful graduates can use their qualification to apply to CORU to be placed on the register of social workers. In Ireland, all social workers will need to be registered in order to practise.

International accreditation bodies also recognise the BSW for registration purposes. Social workers are employed in a wide variety of contexts including:

• hospitals
• child protection teams
• the probation and welfare service
• family support agencies
• disability organisations
• youth settings
• community organisations

Academic qualification equivalents

 1.    All India Senior School Certificate 

 2.    Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 

 3.    Indian School Certificate (Year 12) 

Band 1 Programmes

Minimum average of 90% + in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum average of 80-89% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 3 Programmes

Minimum average of 75-79% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Where Maths is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% in Maths is required.

Where a Lab Science subject is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% is required in the appropriate Lab Science subject.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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