Bachelor of Arts in Social Care – CORU Approved

• This course has been approved by CORU.
• Next Course Commencement: September, 2025
• The Application Centre is currently closed:  The allocation of places on our BA in Social Care for 2024-25 is now complete. The application centre will reopen in March 2025. Please make contact with the College to express your interest in applying in 2025.
• Interviews: will take place in person in Dublin in May 2025, 10am – 3pm (date to be determined), for the first tranche of applicants who complete their applications by mid May.
• All applicants will undergo a short English written assessment during the interview day
• Photo ID is necessary and only a valid passport photo page will be accepted
• Please note: if applications for places on the course are oversubscribed, the College will assign a randomly prioritised position for each applicant on the offer list. If you are not chosen for an offer of a place from the priority list, you will receive a refund of your application fee.
• For more information, contact Conor on cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com.

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This 3-year Level 7 Degree programme is designed for people who want to attain the standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU and engage in value-based education to empower service users. The learner will engage with 18 modules that explore social care practice and how it applies in various social care settings. The student will complete over 800 hours of supervised practice placement, in a social care setting, over Years 2 and 3. The programme, which has been approved by CORU, is designed to ensure that the student will be able to access registration.

This programme has been approved by CORU.

The BA in Social Care is a QQI approved HET Major Award placed at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Course Objectives

The main objective of this social care qualification is that on completion students leave with a set of skills and knowledge that enables them to engage in and manage the everyday operations of their area of responsibility professionally, efficiently, effectively and ethically.

The focus is not only on meeting goals/outputs, but on a deep appreciation of social, community, ethical and current issues impacting on vulnerable groups of people.

• The aim of the Level 7 B.A. in Social Care programme is to provide a qualification which is recognised nationally and internationally in the area of Social Care.
• The programme aims to provide participants with in-depth key knowledge, skills and competencies based on the five domains and 80 standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU.
• In addition, the programme aims to provide the student with the clear values of empowerment, advocacy, person-centredness, inclusion and social justice to support their practice in the future.
• The programme will provide the student with two supervised practice placements in social care agencies that will measure the student’s understanding and application of the standards of proficiency in a real world setting.
• The programme, approved by CORU, is designed to ensure that the graduate will be able to access registration.

Course Content

Year One

Introduces the novice learner to a broad understanding and the context of social care. The key values are explored along with the relevant legislation and policies. The student starts to develop their skills in the areas of communication and responding to challenging behaviour. In relation to practice, the student commences to develop their personal and professional boundaries and develop their autonomy and accountability as a social care worker.

Year 1 Modules:

1. Learning and Development in Higher Education (5 credits)
2. Introduction to Social Care (10 credits)
3. Contemporary Issues in Social Care (10 credits)
4. Legal and Policy Framework in Social Care 1 (10 credits)
5. Communication in Social Care (10 credits)
6. Creative Approaches to Social Care (10 credits)
7. Responding to Behaviours that Challenge (5 credits)

Follow the link to view the  Year 1 Provisional Course Calendar 2024-25.

Year Two: develops the understanding of the learner in social care and practice supported by a supervised practice placement. The student displays practice that is safe and effective. The student demonstrates the ability to use theory in practice. Regular guidance and support is provided to the student through the supervision process with the practice educator.

Year 2 Modules:

1. Psychology and Human Development across the Lifespan (5 credits)
2. Collaborative Practice and Teamwork in Social Care (5 credits)
3. Legal and Policy Framework in Social Care 2 (10 credits)
4. Professional Development for Social Care (10 credits)
5. Social Care Assessment and Planning (10 credits)
6. Supervised Practice Placement 1 (20 credits) – CAPSTONE

Year Three:

Offers opportunity for the learner to acquire advanced social care knowledge and skills for their practice supported by a supervised practice placement. The student is skilled in the use of evidence-informed practise. They have integrated responsibility for their practice actions, engage in reflective practice, seeking assistance and advice when necessary. The student engages in supervision, where they demonstrate a growth in practice confidence and openness to Continuing Professional Development.

Year 3 Modules:

1. Wellbeing, Health and Behaviour (10 credits)
2. Social Research (10 credits)
3. Advocacy and Rights in Social Care (10 credits)
4. Quality Interventions in Social Care (10 credits)
5. Supervised Practice Placement 2 (20 credits) – CAPSTONE

Assessment

The course is assessed through a combination of continuous assessments, projects and written examinations. Continuous assessments may consist of assignments (i.e. essays), project work, group activities, online activities, in-class assessments, reflection and placement.

Qualification

Successful completion of the 3-year course will lead to a BA in Social Care. This is a QQI approved major award (180 credits), subject to validation, at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Fees

Fees are  now €5,296* for new entrants to Year 1 with 8 instalments of €662

*Please note: Annual Fees amount is inclusive of:
– Tuition Fees (€4,299) inc. 17 workshop/webinar days in Year 1
– Administration Fee/Online Subscriptions (€847)
– QQI Registration (€150)

Please Note: A fees instalment plan is available where students may pay up to 8 instalments spread throughout the academic year.

There is an application fee of €95.

Find out more from the BA in Social Care page on www.opentrainingcollege.com.