Applied Social Studies in Social CareStaidéar Sóisialta Feidhmeach - Cúram Sóisialta

Are you open-minded and pragmatic, and interested in supporting others to reach their full potential through support, advocacy and guidance? Do you want to develop the skills needed to work with vulnerable people? In this course, you’ll learn about your own strengths and the most effective ways to work with people using social care services. You’ll develop strong interpersonal skills, empathy, reflection, effective communication skills, and the ability to work in a team.

Subjects include psychology, sociology, disability studies, social institutions, promoting health and well-being, social policy for social care, cultural diversity, legal studies, sociology and the family, and personal and professional development. Year 4 subjects include challenging behavior, leadership and supervision in social care practice, child protection, and management in social care practice.

You can specialise in areas such as successful ageing and social care practice, combatting racism and cultural mediation, mental health and therapeutic interventions, and advocacy.

CORU

This course is approved by CORU.

Work Placement

There are two 14-week work placements in Year 2, Semester 1 and Year 3, Semester 2.

IT Requirements 

Students on this course will be required to have a medium spec computer/laptop (i.e. able to run Win 10, an AV solution and Office comfortably. It should be able to use Wi-fi and camera in order to attend online classes, and use other software such as SPSS, Adobe Connect; e.g. Latitude 5510; Latitude 5410;

Please search for the TU Dublin offer on the HEA website www.heanet.ie/store.

Special Regulations

1. For all modules in Year 1 through Year 3 students must pass both the CA and Final Examination components to be considered to have passed the module.
   
   
2. Mandatory attendance is required in the following modules SSC H1016; SSCH1017; SSSC H1022; SSSC H2011; SSSC H2012; SSSC H2013; SSSC H2014; SSSC H3011; SSSC H3017; SSSC H3018.

This is in order to meet CORU regulatory requirements for Social Care courses, Criterion 4.10, “The provider must identify any requirements for attendance, the procedure for monitoring attendance and the consequences of not meeting attendance requirements where relevant”

Pre-requisites for ‘SSSC H2011 Social Care Practice Placement 1’

‘SSSC H1022: Preparing for Social Care Practice’ AND ‘SSSC H2013 Practice Reflection & Skills Development’
are prerequisites for ‘SSSC H2011 Social Care Practice Placement 1’

Pre-requisite for ‘SSSC H3018 Social Care Practice Placement 2’

‘SSSC H2011: Social Care Practice Placement 1’ is a prerequisite for ‘SSSC H2011 Social Care Practice Placement 1’

Practice Educators Hub [For registered students only] 

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.0 overall (or equivalent).

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting 

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

Working with marginalised or disadvantaged people in a caring, compassionate and non-judgmental way:

• Children/Adolescents in Residential Child Care
• People with Disabilities
• People accessing Homeless Services
• People with Alcohol or Drug Dependency
• the Elderly
• Asylum-Seekers
• other Marginalised Groups

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced entry applications are currently not accepted to this course.

I was attracted to the modules in Psychology, Sociology and Legal Studies. I also found it interesting that the course would allow me to gain the necessary skills to work with different services within the wider scope of social care organisations.

 The best thing about the course is learning different modules, theoretical frameworks and then having the opportunity to go on placement and apply those theories to practice.

- Paul Lyons, Applied Social Studies in Social Care

On graduation, you may continue to postgraduate study at TU Dublin.