Entry Requirements
Formal academic qualifications are not required to
commence this BA. Candidates are, however, expected to
have good reading and writing skills, and basic IT skills, as
independent home study is required. Candidates should
also have a minimum of one year’s experience in care
work, which has been gained in either a formal or informal
capacity. Candidates under 21 years should meet the
University’s minimum matriculation entry requirements.
Those for whom English is not the first language should
check the university requirements at:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/english.html
Further Information
http://www.nuigalway.ie/hpr
http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuingeducation-courses/social-care.html
If English is not your first Language – English Language Tests:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/english.html
Social Care Programmes
Classes days and times
Workshops normally take place on Fridays and/or
Saturdays (or a combination of both) and, will run
generally from 10am to 4pm. The Seminar in years one
and two normally runs from approximately 9:30am to
5pm. All workshops will be held at NUI Galway, unless
otherwise advised. Provisional timetables will normally
be available from 1st of May and can be requested from
enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie
Fees
E.U. Students: €2,740*
Non-E.U. Students: €3,240*
Applicants must submit a non-refundable administration fee
of €30 with their application. E.U. students can pay fees in
one instalment in September or over two instalments - the
first in September and the second in the following January.
Non-E.U. fees must be paid in full prior to registration.
* Subject to ratification.
Application Procedure
Online application can be accessed through:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuingeducation-courses/social-care.html
See ‘applications and selections’.
Closing date – see http://nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-andcontinuing-education-courses/social-care.html
Enquiries
Secretary Social Care Programmes
Health Promotion, NUI Galway.
Email: enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie
Phone: 091 493874
BA in Social Care
Diploma in Social Care
Certificate in Social Care
Health Promotion
The Discipline of Health Promotion at the National
University of Ireland, Galway is the only one of its kind in
Ireland. Its mission is to promote health and wellbeing and to
reduce inequities in health. This is carried out by undertaking
primary research and by providing training and education
courses. Social Care Programmes have been available since
1993 and are now offered to honours degree level.
Bachelor of Arts (Social Care)
The Bachelor of Arts (Social Care) provides teaching of
theoretical concepts applied to social care practice. It was
developed in response to the continuing educational needs of
social care workers in the context of the professionalisation
of social care work and includes both theoretical and practice
components. The programme is designed to meet the needs
of adult students with social care experience who wish to
return to education, so as to further develop and enhance
their understanding, knowledge and skills. The programme
aim is to provide students with professional education and
training in the principles and practice of social care.
Intended For
These Social Care Programmes are intended for those
working in the social care field in a formal or informal
capacity. For example, individuals working in a residential or
community setting, with a client group such as young people,
older people or individuals with a disability.
Programme Structure
This programme is provided on a modular basis over four
years through blended learning combining independent
home study, online learning, workshops, seminars and workplacements. Each module carries a number of European
Credit Transfers (ECTS) with students undertaking 45
credits per year.
Students will receive interactive materials for home study
and attend workshops for each module. These are scheduled
throughout the academic year, from September to May.
Work-placements are an integral part of the programme and
students undertake a work-placement in each year.
Programme Content
Year 1: Certificate in Social Care
•Introduction to integrated and experiential learning
•Introduction to social care practice and care skills
•Seminar 1
•Introduction to legal, ethical and professional practice in social
care
•Health and health promotion in the social care context
•Introduction to communication skills for social care
Year 4: BA Social Care
•Social care across the lifespan – working with adults and older
people
•Management and leadership in social care settings
•Research project
•Social care and health promotion – national and international
professional perspectives
•Work-placement 4
Please note that this outline is for guidance only and
alterations may be made as required.
•Social and health services: history, systems and context
•Work-placement 1
Year 2: Diploma in Social Care
•Sociology: social care in context
•Psychology across the lifespan in the social care context
Assessment
Assessment of course modules, seminars and workplacements is based on a combination of written
assignments, practical work, work-placement supervisor’s
reports, project work and examination (or any combination
of these) in each year of the programme.
•Seminar 2
•Health promotion model of social care
•Introduction to care planning for social care
•Communication and relationship skills for social care
•Legal, ethical and professional practice in social care
•Introduction to research for social care
•Work-placement 2
Year 3: BA Social Care
•Experiential learning and evidenced based practice in social
care
•Care planning in social care practice
•Professional autonomy and accountability in social care
practice
•Social care across the lifespan – working with children and
young people
•Health promotion strategies and approaches in social care
•Research methods and methodology for social care
•Work-placement 3
Award
Exit year 1: Certificate in Social Care
Exit year 2: Diploma in Arts (Social Care)
Completion year 4: BA in Social Care
‘What Graduates Do’
Graduates of the programme are employed by statutory,
private and voluntary bodies and work with a variety of
groups including children, young people, older people and
individuals with disabilities. In addition, graduates of the
programme have gone on to pursue further study on both
taught and research post-graduate programmes.
“As a very mature student I have found that this
course has pushed my boat out to a place that was
challenging to get to, but brilliant to arrive at”.
Martin Mannion, student.