Social Science - Youth & Community Work
The BSocSc (Youth and Community Work) degree programme should interest you if you are keen to work with people and communities, including those experiencing inequality, marginalisation and social exclusion.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Students
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes . Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Selection will also take into account:
Interview
Statement of Interest
Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Student Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Síochána provides this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduates from this course usually choose to seek employment in the following areas:
Youth and Community Work
Voluntary Sector
Women’s groups
Community Development projects
Family Centres
Travellers’ rights groups
Groups dealing with Disability, Homelessness, Ageing, Migrants Rights, Mental Health
Graduates of the programme are employable in a wide range of areas as the skills developed on the course, particularly in the areas of both ‘people skills’ and reflective practice, and also the ability to provide critical analysis, readily transfer to many other areas.
Many former students of the programme play significant roles in their own communities and a number of former students are involved in politics at both local and national levels. Many of the positions on offer following graduation attract professional salaries and provide career opportunities.
A significant number of graduates also pursue postgraduate studies in areas such as:
Social Policy
Social Work
Counselling
Criminology
Sociology
Migration Studies
Women’s Studies
Voluntary and Community Sector Management
Law
Health Promotion
Media Studies
Further information
Approximate Available Places 15
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Progression Route from CACE (UCC Centre for Adult Continuing Education) Programmes
You must be 21 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of proposed entry. Applicants can apply on the basis of having successfully passed and completed one of the following Level 7 CACE programmes:
Diploma in Youth and Community Work
Diploma in Autism Studies
Diploma in Disability Studies
Diploma in Leadership in the Community
Diploma in Social and Psychological Health Studies
Diploma in Women's Studies
Applicants who have successfully passed and completed one of the above level 7 courses will not have to sit the MSE.
Holders of a 2.1 in the Diploma in Youth and Community Work who subsequently apply for and are offered a place on the degree programme may apply for an exemption from the 10 ECTS module SS1101 ~ Introduction to Youth and Community Work.
Interview
An interview will be used as an additional selection mechanism.
Applications for the above entry routes to the CK114 Programme are made through the CAO before 1 February.
Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Student Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Síochána provides this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Approximate Available Places Overall 30
Yes
Entry 2024 - Restricted Course
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.
Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 1 February 2024 at 5pm if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3)" on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 24 of the 2024 CAO Handbook for more information about interviews and assessments.
Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1 February 2024, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2024 at 5pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature
Supplementary Admission Routes
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2024 at 5pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5pm on 1 March 2024.
To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5pm on 1 March 2024.
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 15 March 2024 at 5pm
Are you interested in working with communities? Would you like to work with young people? Do you have a commitment to equality and social justice? Are you interested in getting involved in movements for social and environmental change?
The BSocSc (Youth and Community Work) degree programme should interest you if you are keen to work with people and communities, including those experiencing inequality, marginalisation and social exclusion.
This unique degree combines an academic social science programme with a professionally accredited qualification in youth work. This professional qualification is recognised by employers in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and throughout the UK.
The BSocSc (Youth and Community Work) programme offers a range of foundational subjects including Sociology, Social Policy, and Research Methods. Exciting contemporary subjects also offered include the sociology of youth, principles, and practice of youth and community work, citizen engagement and social movements, children and young people’s rights, working with groups and communities, global education, young people’s mental health, the use of social media in youth and community work, sustainability and the environment, and project planning and management.
The course is designed on the understanding that this is the first time that many students are encountering the social sciences. As such, students are not expected to have prior knowledge of the various subjects, and the first year is focused on introducing you to key concepts and theories.
An integral element of the degree is the opportunity to engage in research about a social issue of special interest to you. Final year students undertake a social research project (dissertation) that they design and carry out with the guidance of an academic supervisor and with opportunities to collaborate with local youth or community organisations. Students therefore produce ‘real world’ research that responds to key social issues in the 21st century.
Growing inequalities, destabilisation of democracy, and the existential problem of climate change pose considerable threats to our already complex and changing society. In this context, skilled and knowledgeable community and youth workers have a key role to play as facilitators, leaders, and participants in movements for social, environmental, and economic change and justice.
Upon completion of this course, you will have access to a range of stimulating and varied employment opportunities across the youth work, community, and voluntary sector, giving you the chance to continue to offer your critical skills and knowledge to young people, communities and social movements.
Modules
Year 1
SS1101 Introduction to Youth & Community Work (10 credits)
SS1102 Social Analysis (10 credits)
SS1104 Principles and Practice of Youth and Community Work (10 credits)
SS1105 Social Policy 1 (10 credits)
SS1107 Level 1 Professional Placement (10 credits)
SS1130 Contemporary Issues in Youth and Community Work (5 credits)
SS1154 Informal and Global Education in a Youth and Community Work Setting (5 credits)
Years 2 and 3
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the current core and elective modules for all years.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue (BSocSc Youth and Community Work) for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/programmes/) for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/modules/)
Contact Details For This Course
Dr Catherine Forde
c.forde@ucc.ie
+353 (021) 490 2450
http://www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/