Applied Social & Community Development - Cork - Tertiary Education Programme
The BA in Applied Social & Community Development is a Tertiary Degree that equips students with the knowledge skills and competency to operate in a professional capacity in the community sector.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Entry Requirements
Standard Entry (School Leavers) Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Leaving Certificate with:
• A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades or 4 O6/H7 grades plus Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme with distinction
Or
• Leaving Certificate Applied with distinction
Or
• QQI Level 4 award with a distinction profile
Mature Applicants & Others
Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants who are a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience and who can demonstrate that they would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028)
These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme).
Advanced Entry / Progression Pathways
Applicants with the following may be eligible for advanced entry (typically to Year 2 or 3, subject to RPL or credit mapping):
QQI Level 5 or Level 6 Major Awards in:
• Applied Social Studies
• Psychology
• Community Development
• Social Policy
• Youth Work
Or specifically
QQI Level 5 or Level 6 Major Awards as follows:
• Applied Social Studies 5M2181
• Youth Work 5M4732
• Community Development 5M3050
• Community Development 6M3674
International Applicants
International applicants must meet equivalent academic qualifications.
Provide evidence of English proficiency:
IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with no band lower than 5.5
Have documentation assessed through NARIC Ireland or similar credentialing bodies
Non-EU citizens, who are not in the international protection system, but have permission to reside in Ireland unrelated to their student status (such as Stamp 4 visa holders) would be eligible to apply for the programmes but would not be eligible for free fees. They would therefore be liable to pay tuition fees for the FET portion of the programme, and fees (as determined by the individual HEI) per year of the HE portion.
Language Proficiency:
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language, as follows:
• Irish Leaving Certificate English: Ordinary Level Grade O6
• GCE A-Level English Language: Grade D
What is RPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when formal recognition is given for what you already know prior to starting on a programme or module. With recognition of prior learning the focus is on learning and not on experience as such. You can apply for RPL in any MTU accredited programme or module. Programmes which are accredited by professional bodies or any external awarding bodies may have their own procedures for RPL which you should refer to.
Careers / Further progression
Career Options
Graduates of the programme may enter roles such as:
• Community Development Officer
• Community Engagement Officer
• Project Co-ordinator
• Community Centre Manager
• Community Health Development Worker
• Outreach Worker
These roles may be situated in the following settings (this list is not exhaustive):
Community Development Projects (CDP), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Statutory Agencies (e.g. Local Authorities, Health Services), organisations working with specific groups, including Youth, Traveller & Minority groups, Disability services, Social Inclusion Initiatives.
Progression
Graduates of this programme can progress to Level 8 programmes of study.
Further information
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Students registered in Year 1
Pay no student contribution and no capitation fee.
Students in Year 2 and Year 3
Must pay the Student Contribution Charge.
The Student Contribution Charge is an annual charge which is set by the Government for all full-time third-level students. Students can apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for a grant which, if approved, may cover 100% of the Student Contribution Charge.
Student Contribution Charge
The Student Contribution Charge for the academic year is €3,000. This is an annual charge which is set by the Government for all full-time third-level students. Students can apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for a grant which, if approved, may cover €500, 50% (€1,500) or 100% (€3,000) of the Student Contribution Charge. If students withdraw before 28th February, SUSI will only fund 50% of the Fee Grants above. The student will remain liable for the balance due in Semester 1.
Application Deadline: August 2026.
Overview
Please note:
This is a Tertiary course. The first year is delivered by our Tertiary partners at ETB Cork and ETB Kerry.
The BA in Applied Social & Community Development is a Tertiary Degree that equips students with the knowledge skills and competency to operate in a professional capacity in the community sector.
The programme is designed to address the evolving workforce needs of a dynamic and growing community sector. The BA is designed in consultation with significant stakeholders in the community and voluntary sector and the Further Education and Higher Education sector. This ensures the academic integrity of the teaching and the sector relevance of the training delivered in the programme. The BA is delivered via a Cork ETB. Kerry ETB and MTU across three years, with each year containing a significant work-based component.
Tertiary degrees provide an integrated pathway from Further Education and Training (FET) into Higher Education (HE). Students begin their educational journey within a further education setting in Cork or Kerry before progressing into the Higher Education institute.
Key features of the Tertiary BA. Level 7 degree include:
• Integration of academic and applied learning via work placement
• Portfolio-based assessments and project work in partnership with placement organisations and potential employers.
• Regular input from practitioners via workshops and seminars
• Ongoing monitoring of professional development via reflective journals
What will I study?
Students on this programme explore the social issues, policies, and community structures that shape people's lives. They develop an understanding of human behaviour, cultural diversity, equality, social justice, and community development, while examining how communities respond to challenges such as poverty, exclusion, health inequalities, and substance misuse.
As they progress, students learn how to work effectively with individuals, groups, and communities, gaining practical experience through community placements and project work. They also develop skills in research, community education, leadership, and advocacy, preparing them to support positive social change and contribute to stronger, more inclusive communities.
Year 1 – Level 5 Award 5M2181 – FET
5N0754 Psychology
5N1370 Social Studies
5N2176 Substance Use Issues for Youthwork
5N0765 Intercultural Studies
5N1367 Teamworking
5N22944 Social Policy
5N1901 Understanding Community Development
5N1356 Work Experience
Year 2 - MTU:
SOCI6007 Equality & Intersectionality
PLAC6006 Community Placement Theory
SOCI7001 Community Group Work
EDUC6006 Community Education
EDUC6007 Research Methodology
SOCI6011 State and Community
EDUC6010 Critical Pedagogy & Community
SOCI6010 Social Policy in Practice
31481 Community Practice [pending approval]
SOCI6006 Community Research
Year 3 - MTU:
SOCI7006 Social Stratification
PLAC7007 Research Preparation
31710 Community Placement [pending approval]
OCCH7001 Community Health
SOCI7003 Social Justice and Citizenship
SOCI7002 Research Project
PLAC7010 The Community Work Sector
MGMT7072 Community Project Leadership
31601 Community Health in Practice (pending approval)
Provider Locations and Structure:
Year 1:
Kerry Education and Training Board, Kerry College Denny Street Campus, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 Y751.
Years 2-3:
Department of Applied Social Studies, Munster Technological University, Cork Campus, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork T12 P928.
Emma Denieffe
Course Administrator,
Dept. of Applied Social and Community Development
Tel: 021 4335310
Email: emma.denieffe@mtu.ie
For more information, please contact the Tertiary Managers at feather@corketb.ie