Social Work - Mature Applicants only

September 2026

Approximate Available Places 17

Mature student-only entry
This route to the BSW is open to mature students only (i.e. those who are 23 years of age by 1 January of the year of proposed entry). Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1 February of the year of proposed entry.

Selection for the programme is based on:

Statement of Interest in CAO form: this should outline your motivation and interest in pursuing this course and readiness to undertake professional training in social work.
CV (included in your CAO application)

Evidence of interest and/or knowledge in social issues and social work; evidence of required academic potential; evidence of relevant life and/or work experience; readiness to undertake professional training.

Shortlisted candidates attend the selection day in the School of Applied Social Studies. The selection process includes group and individual interviews. There are no official qualifications required to gain entry to the BSW. You will be judged on your:

relevant experience (both work and life experience)
potential to complete a demanding undergraduate programme of study
demonstrated commitment to social work interest in and knowledge of social issues
commitment to this field of activity.

All qualifying candidates are welcome to apply.

In recent years, the BSW has included students from many different backgrounds, from a variety of nationalities, and a wide range of interests and lifestyles. We encourage this diversity. The BSW is committed to positively contributing to social work. Our vision is to provide a critical educational experience for our students that will contribute to them becoming a positive force in society.

Students are subject to Garda vetting.

Students are subject to Fitness to Practise policy.

HEAR

DARE

RPL

What Will it Cost?

Entry 2026 - Restricted Course

Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 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 2026 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 of the 2026 CAO Handbook)" 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 2026 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 2026, 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 2026 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 2026 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 2026.

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 2026.

Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 10 March 2026 at 5pm

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will make you eligible to apply to be registered as a social worker with regulatory bodies in Ireland and internationally. This full-time four-year undergraduate degree integrates university-based and agency-based learning. Successful completion leads to an academic qualification (BSW), which is approved by the Health and Social Care Professional Council (CORU) as a social work training course.

There are two entry routes and one progression route to the BSW. The first entry route is for mature students only (23+) and the second entry route is a tertiary pathway through Morrissons Island Campus (Cork College of FET) which is open for both standard age students (17+) and mature students. Please see the Requirements section for further details on the two entry routes and the one progression route. Please see the Requirements section for further details on the two entry routes and the one progression route.

Years 1 and 2 of the BSW are college-based and lectures take place over two 12-week semesters.

In years 3 and 4, you undertake one semester in college and another on a 14-week professional placement.

Year 1 Modules
Mature Student Only Entry Route
The following modules are delivered on UCC campus:

AP1022 Social Psychology (5 credits)
AP1023 Lifespan Development (5 credits)
EC1121 Markets, Governments and the Economics of Social Issues (Semester 1) (5 credits)
EC1122 Markets, Governments and the Economics of Social Issues (Semester 2) (5 credits)
SS1017 Politics and Social Policy (Part 1) (10 credits)
SS1018 Politics and Social Policy (Part 2) (5 credits)
SS1202 Introduction to Social Work Theory, Methods and Skills (10 credits)
SC1012 Introduction to Sociology (Part A) (5 credits)
SC1006 Key Issues in Sociology (Part 2) (10 credits)

Tertiary Route (Morrison’s Island Campus)
Tertiary route students attend Year 1 modules on Morrison’s Island campus and SS1202 on UCC campus.

Year 2 Modules
Social Policy: Child Care Policy; Mixed Economy of Welfare and Personal Social Services; Social Policy and Social Work; Introduction to Social Work Practice
Social Work: Skills Laboratory; Social Work Methods; Social Work Practice Contexts; Social Recovery Approaches to Mental Health; Social Research

Year 3 Modules
Law: Legal Studies
Social Work: Placement; Placement Portfolio; Life Courses, Biographies and Reflective Learning; Child Care and Protection Practice; Deviance; Welfare and Justice; Social Work Methods

Year 4 Modules
Law: Legal Studies

Social Work: Placement; Placement Portfolio; Anti-Racism and Anti-Discriminatory Practice; Contemporary Issues in Social Work; Action Research Study
As a professionally validated course, the BSW has a mandatory attendance policy. In order to have a clear record of attendance, class attendance records are kept.

Book of Modules

Marian Caulfield
bachelorofsocialwork@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 3000
https://www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/

International Students