Overview
The Honours Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a four-year, full-time programme that integrates university-based and agency-based learning in order to provide students with academic and professional learning opportunities to develop social work knowledge, skills and values.
To be eligible for the award of the BSW degree a student will be required to have achieved 240 credits by obtaining 60 credits in each of First, Second, Third and Fourth BSW. A student may not register for more than 60 credits in one academic year (or QQI equivalent in Year one of the BSW Tertiary Degree).
Attendance
The BSW Degree is a professional training programme accredited by the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU). As a professional training programme, social work students are required to attend every class of each module (including fieldwork placements) unless unavoidably prevented from doing so. If a student's attendance falls below 80% in any module, he/she will be required to repeat that module.
Leave of Absence
Students intending to take leave of absence of a year or more must make an application to the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Office not later than March of the preceding academic year. Permission will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
First Year - Social Work
First Year Social Work BSW students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in the five subject areas of Applied Psychology, Economics, Social Policy, Social Work, and Sociology.
First Social Work BSW (Tertiary Degree) students study prescribed modules to the value of 120 QQI credits + 10 credits in UCC Social Work Theory, Methods and Skills. In addition, guest lectures in Social Policy must be attended. The subject areas in Cork College of FET include Psychology, Social Studies, Human Growth & Development, Intercultural Studies, Legal Practice & Procedures, Economics, Communications and Work Experience.
Second Year - Social Work
To progress to Second Year, students must pass the First University Examination in Social Work. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Social Work, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in all the subjects of his/her programme including the practice fieldwork.
To progress to Second Year, students on the BSW Tertiary Degree must pass the full QQI Level 5 award (8 modules to the value of 120 QQI credits) with a minimum of 3 module distinctions that cannot include the work experience module. They must also achieve a pass grade in SS1202 Introduction to Social Work Theory Methods and Skills.
BSocSc option to trasfer to BSW2
From 2025 onwards, students who have passed the first year of the BSocSc (CK102) may apply to register for the second year of the Bachelor of Social Work (CK115). Upon successful completion of the first year of the BSocSc, including the prerequisite module – SS1012 (Social Practice and the Social Professions), students who have notified their intention to transfer, will be eligible to apply for the second year of the BSW. The allocation of a place on the second year of the BSW will be subject to a selection process. Please note that there is a limit of 10 places available. Students who wish to transfer to the second year of the BSW must notify the School of Applied Social Studies in writing of their intention to do so by the first Friday of July at the end of their first year of studying the BSocSc. Students who do not transfer to the BSW may continue on the BSocSc.
Third Year - Social Work
To progress to Third Year, students must pass the Second University Examination in Social Work. In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Social Work, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in all the subjects of his/her programme including the placement.
Third Bachelor of Applied Social Studies - Alternative Pathway for Students not Proceeding to Fourth Social Work
The Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Ordinary) Level 7/BASS (Hons) Level 8 is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement modules (SS3206 and SS3207) in Third Year of the BSW programme over the summer and/or Autumn Supplemental Examinations, or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BSW programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Hons). On successful completion of Third Bachelor of Applied Social Studies, these students may exit with a Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Ordinary) Level 7. Students also have the option to progress to Fourth Bachelor of Applied Social Studies where, on successful completion, they qualify with a Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Hons) Level 8.
Note: Students who opt for this Pathway are not eligible to be considered for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.
Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of BSW III will be carried over to BASS III.
Fourth Year - Social Work
To progress to Fourth Year, students must pass the Third University Examination in Social Work and satisfied all other requirements specified for the Third Year. In order to be admitted to the BSW (Hons) Degree Examination, a student must have satisfactorily attended the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in all the subjects of his/her programme including the placement. In order to be awarded the BSW (Hons) Degree, candidates must have satisfactorily completed their practice placement.
Fourth Bachelor of Applied Social Studies - Alternative Pathway for Students not Completing Fourth Social Work or who have completed BASS (Ordinary)
The Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Hons) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement modules (SS4208 and SS4209) in Year 4 of the BSW programme over the Summer and/or Autumn Supplemental Examinations or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BSW programme. This option is also available to students who have completed BASS (Ordinary) Level 7. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Hons) and to make up the remaining credits, to a total of 60, from the list of modules for Fourth BASS, in consultation with the School of Applied Social Studies, to be submitted to the Summer Examination Board. After successfully completing these modules these students will then qualify with a Bachelor of Applied Social Studies (BASS) (Hons).
Note: Students who opt for this Pathway are not eligible to be considered for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board.
Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of BSW IV will be carried over to BASS IV.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes for Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
1
1-1
Apply knowledge of social systems and human behaviour to promote social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment of people to enhance their well-being.
1-2
2
Apply knowledge of social policy to critically examine and respond to the impact of social and political contexts on service users and social work.
1-3
3
Reflectively evaluate and implement the values and ethics of the profession of social work as embodied in the Irish Association of Social Workers, CORU and International Federation of Social Workers codes.
1-4
4
Promote principles of social justice, human rights and anti-oppressive practice
1-5
5
Demonstrate core social work practice proficiencies in the areas of: professional autonomy and accountability, interpersonal and professional relationships, effective communication, personal and professional development, provision of quality services, knowledge, understanding and skills.
1-6
6
Demonstrate knowledge of theory, legislation, policy, official inquiry reports and international conventions, to assessment and intervention planning in social work practice.
1-7
7
Illustrate a reflective approach to learning that is self-directed.
1-8
8
Engage in a process of self-awareness, self-monitoring and continuous professional development.
1-9
9
Respond reflectively and reflexively as a social worker in a variety of social work settings.
*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***
Marks and Standards
These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.
Fitness to Practise
All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.
Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass first year and progress to second year, students must have satisfied the Fitness to Practise requirements and must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules, and
- A pass mark in modules to the value of 60 credits.
To progress to Second Year, candidates on the BSW Tertiary Degree must pass the full QQI Level 5 award (8 modules to the value of 120 QQI credits) with a minimum of 3 module distinctions that cannot include the work experience module. They must also achieve a pass grade in SS1202 Introduction to Social Work Theory Methods and Skills.
Award of Honours in the Degree Award
An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.
Honours will be awarded as follows:
- First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
- Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%
Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.
Examination Boards
- Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
- Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.
Supplemental Examinations and Assessment
- Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
- Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
- The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
- The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
- The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
- At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.
Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.
Study Abroad
- When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
- To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
- A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
- At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
- At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
- For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.
Exemptions
All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.
Repeat Year Examinations
Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:
1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.
Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).
2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.
Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.
Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.
Three Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.
Terms and Definitions
Programme Description
Module Descriptions/Assessment
- Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.
Marks and Credits
- A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
- Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.
Pass and Progression
- Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
- Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.
