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Course Structure & Content

The degree is designed as a pyramid, introducing a range of social science as well as social work modules in first year, increasing the ratio of social work to social science modules in second and third years, and concentrating on social work modules in final year. Social work placements also become longer each year. This progressive structure enables students to become academically and professionally confident in their social work identity over a period of time. Teaching methods and forms of assessment are varied and aim to develop a wide range of skills.

**Note** Advanced entry into year two or above of the BSS degree is not permitted.

Year One: Introductions to: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy Concepts and Economic Policy; also Politics and Irish Society. 

Year Two: Social Work Theory and Practice, Introduction to Family Law, Psychology for Social Workers, Introduction to Social Research, Understanding Health Policy, Social Work and Human Rights, Inclusive Disability, introduction to Child Protection and Poverty Welfare and Justice.

Year Three: Child Protection and Disability, Law for Social Workers, Criminology, Global Social Policy and Comparative Welfare States, Biographies of Social Work, Social Work Practice and Family and Child Care Studies.

Year Four: Social Work Practice, Social Work and Mental Health, Groupwork, Perspectives on Social Work, The Professional in Context, Social Work and Child Care and Social Work and Equality Issues.

In each of the four years, students undertake a placement in a different social service agency under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. These placements provide practice experience and an opportunity to develop and apply the skills and knowledge acquired in college. Placements in the first two years take place in the summer vacation. Placements in the final two years run in the first semester of each year. For more information, see Fieldwork Education Unit page.

Student Handbooks 2024-25

Junior Freshman (Year 1) 2024-25

Senior Freshman (Year 2) 2024-25

Junior Sophister (Year 3) 2024-25

Senior Sophister (Year 4) 2024-25

Module Outlines 2024-25

Junior Freshman (Year 1) 2024-25

Senior Freshman (Year 2) 2024-25

Junior Sophister (Year 3) and Senior Sophister (Year 4)

 

Bachelor in Social Studies Examination Regulations

The BSS Progression and Award Regulations for 2024/25 contain information about the regulations governing examinations, as well as the conventions determining the award of grades in examinations, in the Bachelor in Social Studies degree programme.

Bachelor in Social Studies Non Compensatable Modules

All modules taken by B.S.S students in JF, SF, JS and SS, prefixed by the code SSU, are non compensatable. Students must pass all components of assessment to pass the non compensatable module overall.  Non compensatable modules include the following:

Module Code	Module Name	ECTS	Compensatable or Non-compensatable
Junior Freshman
SSU11030	Intro to Social Work	10	NC
SSU11010	Introduction to Psychology	10	NC
SSU11051	Introduction to Social Policy Concepts	10	NC
SSU11072	Junior Freshman Placement	10	NC
Senior Freshman
SSU22182	Policy Issues in Human Services	10	NC
SSU22041	Inclusive Disability	5	NC
SSU22101	Introduction to Child Protection	5	NC
SSU22091	Introduction to Family Law	5	NC
SSU22092	Psychology for Social Workers	5	NC
SSU22162	Global Health Policy	5	NC
SSU22151	Group Work	5	NC
SSU22070	Social Work Theory and Practice	10	NC
SSU22112	Senior Freshman Placement	15	NC
Junior Sophister
SSU33012	Law for Social Workers	5	NC
SSU33072	Family & Child Care Studies	10	NC
SSU33202	Criminology	5	NC
SSU33902	Global Social Policy and Comparative Welfare States	10	NC
SSU33402	Biography, Identity and Professional Practice	5	NC
SSU33502	Child Protection & Disability: Perspectives and Practice	10	NC
SSU33090	Social Work Practice	15	NC
SSU33101	Junior Sophister Placement	15	NC
Senior Sophister
SSU44111	Senior Sophister Placement	20	NC
SSU44200	Social Work Practice (capstone)	20	NC
SSU44042	Perspectives on Social Work	5	NC
SSU44132	The Professional in Context	5	NC
SSU44062	Social Work & Child Care	10	NC
SSU44072	Social Work & Equality Issues	5	NC
SSU44082	Social Work & Mental Health	5	NC
SSU44092	Groupwork	5	NC

Degree Award

Bachelor in Social Studies (Honours) which is placed at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.   

Tutorial Support

Social Work students are supported in their professional development by social work course tutors on a one-to-one basis from year three onwards. Tutors visit students on placement and act as mentors.