Program Overview

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Course Overview

If you are currently working in social care or have one year's full-time (or equivalent) social care experience, then the BA Social Care may be the course for you!

The Bachelor of Arts (Social Care) provides teaching of theoretical concepts applied to social care practice. It was developed in response to the continuing educational needs of social care workers in the context of the professionalisation of social care work and includes both theoretical and practice components.

The BA Social Care reflects the depth and breadth of social care work both in terms of service users groups, such as children, individuals with disabilities, adults or older people and in terms of service diversity, such as residential, community or independent living services. Current students and graduates of the BA Social Care work in a vast array of statutory, voluntary and private services and settings including independent and residential services for individuals with disabilities, residential and aftercare services for children, homeless services, services for older people and community support services.

This BA (Hons) Social Care course is approved by CORU - the Health and Social Care Regulator.

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Online applications open for this course on the 1st May, 2023.

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning & CPD Courses Application.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

Applications will be assessed solely on the information provided within the online application form and interviews do not form part of the selection process. Applicants are therefore advised to complete the application form fully and thoroughly, as incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please contact the course administrator for further information.

Practice Placement

Practice placement is an integral component of the BA Social Care and provides the opportunity for learners to integrate theory and practice. In line with current CORU guidance, the practice placement component of this course is comprised of 800hrs of placement in a variety of settings over the 4 years of the course. All students must complete 200 hours of practice placement per year of the BA (Hons) Social Care course. The practice placement is undertaken in a setting outside of your normal workplace and this is the case for all students, regardless of previous social care experience. As this course has been designed to meet the needs of adult learners, students are expected to source appropriate practice placements themselves, with the support and guidance of the practice placement team. Additional support and guidance will be offered to 1st year students in sourcing their practice placement. Practice placements commonly operate on a continuous rather than ‘block’ basis, nonetheless, block placements can be accommodated where preferred and possible.

Vaccinations

The HSE, the School of Health Sciences and the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, require students to produce evidence that they have received the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and the Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccinations. In line with this requirement, University of Galway Social Care Programme recommends that student’s evidence both the MMR and Hepatitis B before the commencement of placement. Evidence of these vaccinations must be provided in the first year of the course.

Exemptions

Applicants with existing academic qualifications can apply for exemptions from modules (post-registration only), where direct comparability can be demonstrated. An exemption can only be applied for in relation to an academic module or modules in year one and/or year two of the BA (Hons) Social Care course.

Please note, applications for academic module exemptions will be assessed solely on the information provided in the application documentation and applicants are therefore advised to complete the documentation fully and thoroughly. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please contact the course administrator for further information.

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Assessment of course modules, seminars and work placements is based on a combination of written assignments, practical work, work placement supervisor’s reports, online work, project work and examination (or any combination of these) in each year of the course.