Overview

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

This taught MSocSc (Social Policy) programme may be taken full-time over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Students take modules to the value of 90 credits, comprising taught modules to the value of 50 credits in Part I and a dissertation (20,000-25,000 words) to the value of 40 credits in Part II.

Students who complete Part I and who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Policy.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take 90 credits.
Part I
Students take 50 credits as follows - all listed core modules (40 credits) and 10 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
SS6313	Contemporary Social Policy Issues 2	10
or
SS6324	Contemporary Social Policy Issues (Online) 2
SS6314	Social Research: Methodology and Ethics	10
SS6322	Social Policy Analysis 2	10
SS6323	Social Policy Seminar Series 2	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following: 1		10
SS6114	Migration, Mobilities and Social Policy (10) 2
SS6315	Mental Health and Disability (10) 2
SS6316	Children and Young People (10) 2
SS6317	Debates in Critical Social Policy (10) 2
SS6320	Conflict, Transformation and Peace Building (10) 2
Part II
Students take 40 credits as follows:
Core Modules
SS6305	Dissertation in Social Policy	40
Total Credits		90

¹

Subject to a minimum quota of students.

²

Module not on offer in 2023/24

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSocSc (Social Policy) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the major debates in the study of social policy;
  
• Discuss key contemporary social policy issues and develop students' critical skills, which will allow them to apply theoretical knowledge to analyse them;
  
• Specialize in a policy field of their choice;
  
• Undertake a piece of research in an area of social policy of the student's choice.