COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a professionally accredited four-year degree that integrates academic study with practical experience to prepare students for careers as qualified social workers. In Year 1, students enter through one of two routes: the mature student route or the tertiary route through Morrison’s Island Campus. Mature students complete all modules at UCC, covering foundational topics in psychology, sociology, economics, and social policy. Modules include Social Psychology, Lifespan Development, Politics and Social Policy, Introduction to Social Work Theory, and Key Issues in Sociology. Tertiary route students take similar modules at Morrison’s Island, attending UCC for the Introduction to Social Work Theory module.Year 2 shifts the focus to developing core social work knowledge and practical skills. Students explore areas such as child care policy, the mixed economy of welfare, social work methods and practice contexts, and social recovery in mental health. Skills development is supported through laboratory-based training and introductory social research modules. In Year 3, students begin their first 14-week professional placement, accompanied by a placement portfolio. Academic modules cover child care and protection, deviance and justice, and further development of reflective practice through life course studies and social work methods. Legal studies are introduced to ensure students understand the legal frameworks that inform practice.In Year 4, students complete a second placement and portfolio, and continue legal studies. They also engage with more advanced themes such as anti-racism and anti-discriminatory practice, contemporary social work issues, and undertake an Action Research Study, which helps them apply research skills to real-world challenges. The BSW is a professionally validated program with mandatory attendance, ensuring students are fully engaged throughout their training. This comprehensive blend of theory, research, and practice equips graduates for diverse roles in social work and related sectors, both in Ireland and internationally.