Expand+Apply Online

The closing date is 1-September 2017.

Early application is advised as offers will be made on a rolling basis.

A limited number of applications may be accepted after the official application closing date, subject to the availabil...

Hide-Apply Online

The closing date is 1-September 2017.

Early application is advised as offers will be made on a rolling basis.

A limited number of applications may be accepted after the official application closing date, subject to the availability of places.

If you are currently working in social care or have one year's full-time (or equivalent) social care experience, then the BA Social Care may be the course for you!

Applications will be assessed solely on the information provided within the online application form and interviews do not form part of the selection process. Applicants are therefore advised to complete the application form fully and thoroughly, as incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please contact the Course Administrator at enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie or at 091-493874 for further information.

Practice Placement and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)

Practice placement is an integral component of the BA Social Care and provides the opportunity for learners to integrate theory and practice. In line with current CORU guidance, the practice placement component of the BA Social Care is comprised of 800hrs of placement in a variety of settings over the 4 years of the programme. As the BA Social Care has been designed to meet the needs of adult learners, practice placements are organised in partnership with students and commonly operate on a continuous rather than ‘block’ basis. Nonetheless, block placements can be accommodated where preferred and possible.

Students with social care experience can apply for recognition of prior experiential learning, which provides for a reduction in the number of hours of work placement. The precise number of hours reduced will be dependent upon the extent and type of experience evidenced by the applicant. In certain circumstances, a practice project based upon the applicant’s experience may form part of recognition of prior experiential learning requirements.

Please note an application for recognition of prior experiential learning can only be made after registration on the BA Social Care.

Exemptions and Advanced/Direct Entry

Applicants with existing relevant academic qualifications can apply for exemptions from modules (post-registration only), while applicants with relevant academic qualifications and social care experience can apply for advanced/direct entry to years 2 or 3 of the programme. It is not possible to enrol directly into year 4

The closing date for applications for advanced/direct entry is 5pm Friday 18th August 2017. Please email enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie to request an advanced/direct entry application form.

Please note, applications for advanced/direct entry will be assessed solely on the information provided in the application documentation and applicants are therefore advised to complete the documentation fully and thoroughly. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.

If you would like to receive further information on applying for advanced entry, you can contact the Course Coordinator at enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie or at 091-493874.

Expand+Formal academic qualifications are not required to commence this BA. Candidates are, however, expected to have good reading and writing skills, as well as basic IT skills, as independent home study is required. Candidates should also have a minimum ...

Hide-Formal academic qualifications are not required to commence this BA. Candidates are, however, expected to have good reading and writing skills, as well as 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-students/english.html

Additional Requirements

Students must satisfy Garda/Police clearance requirements. Garda clearance must be applied for through NUI Galway, regardless of whether an individual currently hold Garda clearance with another organization.

Expand+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 ...

Hide-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 BA Social Care reflects the depth and breadth of social care work both in terms of service users groups, such as children, individuals with disabilities, adults or older people and in terms of service diversity, such as residential, community or independent living services. Current students and graduates of the BA Social Care work in a vast array of statutory, voluntary and private services and settings including independent and residential services for individuals with disabilities, residential and aftercare services for children, homeless services, services for older people and community support service

Who’s Suited to This Course

It is designed to meet the needs of adult students returning to education and to enable those working in the social care field to further develop and enhance their understanding, knowledge and skills. The programme aim is to provide students with a professional education and training in the principles and practice of social care.

Expand+Year 1: The first year of the programme provides a general introduction to the field of social and health studies through three course components: course modules, a seminar and work placement. Students receive interactive materials for home study and...

Hide-Year 1: The first year of the programme provides a general introduction to the field of social and health studies through three course components: course modules, a seminar and work placement. Students receive interactive materials for home study and attend a workshop for each module. Students also attend one weekend seminar, which normally takes place in mid-November. In addition, students complete supervised work placement in a social care setting. Students who successfully complete these course components may leave the programme at the end of this first year and be awarded a Certificate in Social Care or they may continue to the second year of the programme.

Year 2: This second year develops the skills and understanding gained in year 1 as well as developing on the theoretical ideas that underpin social care practice and service provision. On successful completion of year 2 students may leave the programme and graduate with a Diploma in Arts (Social Care).

Year 3: This year builds on years 1 and 2 with further theoretical exploration of social care work and service provision through interactive distance education materials, workshops and work placement. The core competencies required for working in the social care field are further developed and linked to their application in a workplace setting. Years 3 and 4 form the degree cycle of the programme.

Year 4: This final year of the BA in Social Care is comprised of workshops, work placement and self-directed study components. In addition, learners complete a dissertation on a particular area of social care work, with the support of a named individual supervisor.

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 for year one will be available from May 1st 2016 and can be requested from the Course Coordinator at enquiriessocialcare@nuigalway.ie

Modules

Year One: Certificate in Social Care
Introduction to integrated and experiential learning
Introduction to social care practice and care skills
Seminar 1 (at NUI Galway)
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
Social and health services: history, systems and context
Work-placement 1

Year Two: Diploma in Arts (Social Care)
Sociology: social care in context
Psychology across the lifespan in the social care context
Seminar 2 (at NUI Galway)
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: Bachelor of Arts 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

Year 4: Bachelor of Arts 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.