BA (Hons) in Social Care

Year 1

Semester 1

• Communication and Collaborative Practice in Social Care
• Introducing Psychology in Care
• Issues in Social Care
• Creative and Reflective Practice in Social Care
• Sociological Context of Social Care

Semester 2

• Preparation for Professional Practice
• The Self in Social Care
• The Arts in Social Care Practice
• Theories and Concepts
• Sociological Change in Ireland

Year 2

Semester 1

• Professional Practice Placement 1

Semester 2

• Applied Psychology in Care
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing
• Inclusive Arts
• Legal Framework for Social Care
• Continuing Professional Development and Social Care
• Care in a Multicultural Context

Year 3

Semester 1

• Research Methods in Social Care
• Evidence-based Social Care Practice
• Developing Professional Practice
• Compliance and Quality in Social Care
• Mental Health in Social Care

Semester 2

• Professional Practice Placement 2

Year 4

Semester 1

• Ethical Research
• Legal Issues in Social Care
• Gender and Social Change
• Social Policy
• Social Justice

Semester 2

• Research Project
• Social Care and Disability
• Addiction and Social Care
• Social Care Work with Children and Families
• Care of Older People

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.

The BA (Hons) in Social Care (240 credits) programme is a full-time, level 8 programme of four years duration. All modules are mandatory modules. As a result, students’ complete modules that are typically 5 or 10 credits, based on the breadth of expected knowledge within them. In order to attain both QQI standards, it has been necessary to integrate five to six modules in some semesters. Students also complete two mandatory work placements. Year 4 is a capstone of student learning with two research project modules that offer students the opportunity to work on a research project of their own choosing and design. Aligned with this is their submission of documents for ethical approval. As a capstone year, the two semesters place emphasis on the two strands of social studies and service users. 

At DkIT, supporting students is our main goal and staff on the BA (Hons) in Social Care are dedicated to this agenda. Student Induction is a college-wide programme which takes place for the newest cohorts of learners in the Institute in the week before formal classes start. It allows learners to be introduced to the Institute and the Department of Humanities in an informal environment, allowing students the opportunity to get to know core teaching staff and their fellow classmates. This induction programme offers students an introduction to the programme and its design, alongside basic information on Health and Safety, Study and Life Skills, Digital Citizenship, Moodle and email.

Learning and teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, group discussions and both individual and group projects. Active participation, role-play, peer-learning and exploration of topics in the classroom through teacher-led and student-led discussions; all form part of the learning and teaching strategies that students are expected to engage in. A number of industry visits are organised during the programme. Learners are expected to spend time on directed readings, assignments and independent study of the programme content.

As a social care practitioner, now qualified under the professional regulator CORU,  you will be sought after by employers in a range of areas.

Some examples of career options within Social Care include working with: children and adolescents in residential childcare; people with learning or physical disabilities; the homeless; people with alcohol or drug dependency; families in the community; older people; recent immigrants to Ireland; the state sector (for example, the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, and Justice and Equality); the voluntary sector, (which includes organisations like Barnardos and the Irish Refugee Council, many of which are fully or partially funded by the government).

Graduates may progress to postgraduate studies, (both taught and research) either within the institute (through the DCU/DkIT Graduate School) or externally in other HE organisations. Previous graduates have progressed to further studies in areas such as social policy, gender and social care, disability studies and social work studies.

Graduates may progress to postgraduate studies, (both taught and research) either within the institute (through the DCU/DkIT Graduate School) or externally in other HE organisations.  Previous graduates have progressed to further studies in areas such as social policy, gender and social care, disability studies and social work studies. 

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7

Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:

• ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

• GCSE (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
• AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
• AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

Please Note:

International Applicants should go to www.dkit.ie/admissions/how-to-apply/applying-as-an-international-student.html for information on the required minimum English language proficiency for entry

In order to fulfil the learning and teaching requirements of the programme, students will be asked to participate in role-play activities.

Furthermore, students on the programme are subject to fitness to practise regulations.

In order to attend work placements, students must meet Garda Vetting, vaccination, manual handling, and first aid training requirements.

Practice placements occur in both the 2nd year and 3rd year of study of this course. Social Care Placement sites include the following services and supports in the following areas:

Child and Family Agencies / Disability / Older Person Supports / Mental Health /Addiction / Homelessness / Domestic Violence / Social Inclusion initiatives

Each placement is a 12-week block placement as follows:

• 2nd year placement: September - December
• 3rd year placement: January - May

Further details on work placements are available by contacting the programme director.

Please note all students on the Social Care course must satisfy the Garda / Police Vetting procedure of DkIT prior to attending placement.

In addition to a strong academic background, graduates of the BA (Hons) Social Care should have certain personal attributes such as reliability and trustworthiness; altruism; empathy, compassion; and maturity.  Social care work can be very challenging – emotionally and physically – and can mean working in some very difficult environments – but it can also be very rewarding.

Dr. Annaleigh Margey (Acting Head of Department, Department of Humanities)
Phone: +353429370200
Email: Annaleigh.Margey@dkit.ie

Patricia Rahill (Programme Director (Professional Social Worker, registered with CORU))
Phone: +353 429370816
Email: patricia.rahill@dkit.ie