Social Work Qualifications

The Social Workers Registration Board at CORU have approved the following qualifications as attesting to the standard of proficiency required for registration for Social Workers.

(1) Masters of Social Work, University College Cork

(2) Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies, University College Cork

(3) Masters of Social Science (Social Work), University College Dublin

(4) Graduate Diploma in Social Work, University College Dublin

(5) Masters in Social Work, University of Dublin, Trinity College

(6) Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, University of Dublin, Trinity College

(7) Masters in Social Work, National University of Ireland Galway

(8) Bachelor of Social Work, University College Cork

(9) Bachelor in Social Studies, University of Dublin, Trinity College

Approved Qualifications for Social Workers Bye-Law 2011

For more information: http://dev3.coru.ie/en/education/social_workers_approved_qualifications 

Contact CORU for further information E: registration@coru.ie T: 012 933 160 

Postgraduate courses

Entry to postgraduate professional courses requires a 3-year Social Science degree or its equivalent and this route can take five years in total.

University College Cork: Master of Social Work (MSW)

School of Applied Social Studies
T: +353 02 14 90 22 28 

Website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cke64/

University College Dublin: Professional Masters in Social Work

School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice
T: 01 716 86 82

Website: https://sisweb.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=PROG&MAJR=W426

Trinity College Dublin: Master of Social Work (MSW)

School of Social Work and Social Policy
T: +353 18 96 26 27

Website: https://www.tcd.ie/swsp/postgraduate/social-work/

National University of Ireland, Galway: Master in Social Work (MSW)

School of Political Science and Sociology
T: +353 91 52 44 11

Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/social-work.html

How to apply

There are two routes to postgraduate study:

• Holders of a Bachelor of Social Science degree may apply to the social work departments of the individual colleges. Applicants must undergo an interview, and relevant experience is essential or advantageous.
• Holders of a degree in another subject may do a diploma in social policy or a compensatory learning package/ assignment may be offered in order to be eligible for a postgraduate course. Applicants must undergo an interview, and experience in the caring profession is preferred or essential.

Undergraduate courses

Combine an academic social science degree with professional social work training and are 4 years+ full-time

Trinity College Dublin: Bachelor in Social Studies (BSS)

School of Social Work and Social Policy

T: +353 18 96 41 01

Website: https://www.tcd.ie/swsp/undergraduate/social-studies/

Combines an honours degree in the social sciences (BSS) with professional education in social work. This course is open to school leavers and mature students

University College Cork: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

School of Applied Social Studies

T: +353 02 14 90 28 99

Website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ck115/

This course is open to mature students only

How to apply: There are three routes to undergraduate study

• School leavers must apply through the CAO form.
• Mature students (23+ years) with no third level qualifications must apply both through the CAO form and through individual application forms to the individual colleges. They must also undergo an interview, and relevant experience is essential or advantageous. Application forms and information may be obtained from the admissions offices of the relevant colleges, and from the CAO office.
• Applicants with relevant third level qualifications and practice experience may be eligible to enter the undergraduate courses at the second or third year. Eligibility for exemptions is dependent on availability of places on courses, on applicants' qualifications and on the outcome of interviews. Information may be obtained from the admissions offices and the relevant college departments.