Qualification : BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH116
CAO Points : 000
Closing Date : 01 February 2024
This is our three-year full-time degree in Community and Youth Work.
The Bachelor and Master of Social Science Community and Youth Work is endorsed as a professional qualification in youth work by NSETS (nsets.ie) and community work by AIEB (aieb.ie).
Community work involves the development and empowerment of communities, and facilitating the active participation of people in addressing issues that affect them collectively. Youth work is based on the same principles as community work but focuses on young people, and is defined in Irish legislation and policy as a process of personal and social development based on voluntary participation and principles of equality and inclusiveness.
By taking our degree in Community and Youth Work you will be participating in a programme of professional education and training that engages you as an active participant in your learning while working in solidarity with those affected by human rights denial, poverty and inequality.
Choose this degree if you are interested in:
- Professional education and training that engages you as an active participant;
- Working in solidarity with those affected by human rights denial, poverty and inequality;
- Community work - the development and empowerment of communities, and facilitating the active participation of people in addressing issues that affect them collectively;
- Youth work focusing on young people (defined in Irish legislation and policy as a process of personal and social development based on voluntary participation and principles of equality and inclusiveness).
Duration: 3 years (full-time)
75 credits per academic year. Classes run from early September to late May each year.
- MH116 combines on-campus study of a range of topics relevant to community and youth work with off campus supervised fieldwork practice. Supervised fieldwork in both community work and youth work is essential for all students.
- MH116 is a full-time, level 8 honours degree in Community and Youth Work - 14 weeks of full-time supervised fieldwork in each year of the degree with the remainder of year full-time on campus.
Head of Department
Academic
Academic
Academic
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Academic
| Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| English | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| Language | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| Math | No | N/A | N/A |
| Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21. Mature applicants must be at least 23 years old by 1st January 2024. Apply before February 1st 2024.
Mature applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. Contact the Access Office: [email protected]
Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.
All applicants to MH116
Application procedure for all applicants to MH116 As this is a restricted-application course on the CAO, all applicants to MH116 will be requested to submit a personal statement outlining their reasons for wanting to do this course (in no more than 350 words), submit two written references and information on work experience.
Applicants will also be invited to undertake a written assessment in March. If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. Contact the Access Office: [email protected]
Shortlisted applicants are invited to an individual and a group interview in April. All applicants must have relevant and verifiable experience in youth work and/or community work or equality work or relevant social activism.
Note 1: 50% of places are reserved for appropriately experienced mature students.
Note 2: Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
Applicants are asked to submit the following:
- A personal statement (max 350 words) which addresses:
- Why you are applying for this programme
- Outlining your personal understanding of community work and youth work
- Why you think you would make a good community worker or youth worker?
- References (two written references from work or voluntary experience or other involvement)
- Written asssessment
Only candidates shortlisted after the written assessment and submission of personal statement / references will be invited to attend for interview which typically takes place in April.
Preliminary offers pending matriculation results and completion of all procedures, including vetting by the National Vetting Bureau as per the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016, are typically made in late May.
Please contact the Department of Applied Social Studies at 01-708 3743 / 01-708 4574 or email [email protected] for further information.
Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
01 February 2024
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate Applicants
Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language. CAO Points 2023: Not applicable
This is a Restricted Application course all applicants must apply to the CAO by February 1st 2024. See Restricted Courses for more information.
All applicants to MH116
As this is a restricted-application course on the CAO, all applicants to MH116 will be requested to submit a personal statement outlining their reasons for wanting to do this course (in no more than 350 words), submit two written references and information on work experience.
Applicants will also be invited to undertake a written assessment in March. If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. Contact the Access Office: [email protected]
Shortlisted applicants are invited to an individual and a group interview in April. All applicants must have relevant and verifiable experience in youth work and/or community work or equality work or relevant social activism.
Note 1: 50% of places are reserved for appropriately experienced mature students.
Note 2: Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
Applicants are asked to submit the following:
- A personal statement (max 350 words) which addresses:
- Why you are applying for this programme
- Outlining your personal understanding of community work and youth work
- Why you think you would make a good community worker or youth worker?
- References (two written references from work or voluntary experience or other involvement)
- Written asssessment
Only candidates shortlisted after the written assessment and submission of personal statement / references will be invited to attend for interview which typically takes place in April.
Preliminary offers pending matriculation results and completion of all procedures, including vetting by the National Vetting Bureau as per the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016, are typically made in late May.
Please contact the Department of Applied Social Studies at 01-708 3743 / 01-708 4574 or email [email protected] for further information.
Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.u.
HEAR and DARE
DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.
This is a Restricted Application course all applicants must apply to the CAO by February 1st 2024. See Restricted Courses for more information.
Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.
Categories of applicant:
- School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
- Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
- EU/EFTA/UK students
- International students (outside the EU)
- QQI (Further Education) students
- Transferring students
- Deferring students
ALL APPLICANTS: SEE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TAB FOR FULL APPLICATION PROCESS DETAILS