QQI HET: BA in Social Care – Level 7
THIS COURSE IS APPROVED BY CORU.
- Next Commencement - September 15th, 2025
- The Application Centre is now closed for places on the BA in Social Care and we're looking forward to a very productive interview event on May 16th, known as Applicants Day. Please contact Conor on cmurray@opentrainingcollege.
com to join a potential cancellation waitlist. - Interviews: will take place in person in Dublin on May 16th, 2025, 10am-3pm for those applicants who completed their applications before the maximum number of 100 applications was reached.
- Find out more about Applicants' Day Interviews:
- Entry:
- photo ID is necessary and only a valid passport photo page will be accepted. Please see further details below if a passport is not available.- all applicants will undergo a short written language test during the interview day.
- 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/086-0756580 (9am-5pm please).
GENERAL INFORMATION
COURSE CODE
PG24094
LOCATION
Online/Marino Institute of Education
AWARD
BA in Social Care
APPLY BY
Closed for Applications
AUDIENCE
Any person interested in becoming a social care worker; persons with a relevant Level 5 qualification
DURATION
FORMAT
FEES
(published 12-2-2025)
€5696 for each year of the degree, for new entrants to Year One; Instalment Plan available: (8 x €712 ) each year
*The annual fee amount is inclusive of:
- The Tuition Fees (€4,699) inc. 17 workshop/webinar days in Year 1
- Administration/Online Subscription fee - €847
- QQI Registration Fee - €150
A fees instalment plan is available where students may pay up to 8 instalments spread throughout the academic year.
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE
This programme is approved by CORU.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? The BA in Social Care Practice at the Open Training College is designed for adult learners who want to turn their empathy and life experience into a meaningful career. You will gain the knowledge and skills to support individuals and communities in a professional, person-centred way—working with groups in Residential Care, Foster Care, Child and Family Agency (TUSLA), Youth projects, Resource Centres, Juvenile Justice programmes, Disability Services and more. The course emphasises compassion, communication, teamwork, and critical reflection—all essential for thriving in today’s dynamic, people-focused social care environment. Start your journey to a rewarding, values-driven profession.
This course is designed for people who want to attain the standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU.
The learner will engage with 18 modules that explore social care practice and how it applies in various social care settings. Students will complete 800 hours of supervised practice placement, in a social care setting (400 hours in Yr2 and 400 hours in Yr3 in 2 different Social Care settings. This is typically done as 16 hours per week for 25 weeks from January to June).
(Note any student working within a social care area cannot complete either placement with their employer).
|
"Social Care Workers plan and provide professional care to vulnerable individuals and groups of all ages who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs. As well as protecting and advocating for such individuals and groups, Social Care Workers professionally guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their fullest potential." (Social Care Ireland 2018) |
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN
The course content is based on the student being introduced to the theory of the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Social Care and gain practical experience applying these standards during your Practice Placement.
- International best practice
- Current legislation and policy
- Ongoing feedback from course participants
- Input from graduates, professional bodies, regulatory bodies and service users
- Our expertise is based in human services, comprising a variety of different social care settings.
This is reflected in the choice of learning objectives, course materials and the award winning approach that has been developed to deliver the course
COURSE CONTENT
Year One |
In the first year of our Social Care degree, you will gain a solid foundation in the values, principles, and professional context of social care work. You will explore key legislation, policies, and ethical frameworks, while beginning to develop essential skills in communication and therapeutic support. This year also introduces you to the diverse areas of social care practice, helping you discover your interests and prepare for your Practice Placement. It is the perfect starting point for those passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives through person-centred, professional care.
Year One Modules (60 Credits)
Year Two |
In Year Two of the BA in Social Care, you will deepen your understanding of social care theory and apply it confidently in real-world settings through a supervised practice placement. You will develop the ability to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care, while learning how to integrate theory into everyday practice. Ongoing support from experienced practice educators ensures you are guided every step of the way. This year is about building confidence, professional competence, and preparing for greater responsibility in your social care journey.
Year Two Modules (60 Credits)
Work Placement - Part one - Patrick's First Day
Year 2 and Year 3 include a mandatory Work Placement element of 400 hours each year. You can learn more about Work Placement by following Patrick Kiernan's journey on this series of short videos:
Year Three |
In the final year of the BA in Social Care, you will advance your professional skills and deepen your understanding of evidence-informed practice through a supported, supervised placement. This year focuses on preparing you for confident, responsible practice, with an emphasis on reflection, accountability, and growth. You will engage actively in supervision, demonstrating maturity in your professional development and a strong commitment to ongoing learning. By the end of the year, you’ll be fully equipped to enter the field as a skilled, reflective, and ethically grounded social care practitioner, ready to make a meaningful impact.
Year Three Modules (60 Credits)
Work Placement - Part two: OTC Student Perspectives
Watch this video (9 mins) where OTC students share insights and experiences of their 400 hours of Work Placement in Year 2 of their CORU approved BA in Social Care degree qualification for Social Care Workers:
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. It is through assessment that students have the opportunity to evidence their learning of the theory of social care and how it applies to practice.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
Supports Provided |
What supports are provided on the Social Care degree?
Hear more from the Course Director and a Social Care Graduate |
Meet Eimear Ryan – Programme Director
Meet Michelle Coe – Social Care Graduate
HOW THE COURSE WILL IMPACT YOUR CAREER
COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- All potential applicants who are aged at least 23 years at time of application OR have successfully completed a FET (120 credits) /QQI Level 5 Certificate or Leaving Certificate* OR HET (60 credits)/QQI Level 6 Certificate.
- All applicants must also satisfactorily pass an entry interview and language test.
- All applicants must be able to gain Garda Clearance.
- International Applicants whose first language is not English must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English, i.e. Minimum CEFRL B2+ (=IELTS 6.0) or equivalent Or can evidence successful completion of any Level 6 qualification (as validated by the NARIC procedure) studied through English, along with the successful completion of the interview phase of the application process.
*Leaving Certificate applicants will require a grade O6/H7 in five subjects; these subjects must include Maths and English or Irish. (Foundation level mathematics will meet the minimum entry requirement where a grade F2 or higher is achieved.)
Please note: the BA Social Care do not offer advanced entry pathways to Years 2 or 3 of the programme. Therefore the accreditation of prior or experiential learning will not be considered.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:All candidates must meet the requisite criteria of the Garda/Police Vetting process. Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting after they have been accepted onto the BA in Social Care course. |
Commitments Required by Applicants to the BA in Social Care |
Applicants are required to agree that they have noted and accept each of the following conditions (a-d):
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for this course are accepted through our Online Application Centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:
- Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme;
- Provide a range of documents to support your application;
- Submit a personal statement explaining why you want to apply;
- Pay a non-refundable application fee of €95.
Supporting Documents and Forms to Download
You will need to provide us with a range of documents as part of your application. These are:
We generally recommend you gather together all the documents you will require to support your application before you begin but our online application system will allow you add documents as and when you have them once you've begun submitting your application. You can learn more by visiting the Online Application Centre, and view or download our Application Checklist on the link below:
Protecting Enrolled Users
The Open Training College (OTC) has approval to offer students learner protection insurance in respect of Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) for this course. Find out more about PEL by using the link below.
Start Making your Application
All applications are processed through our application centre where you can:
- Submit your application
- Learn about what happens after you’ve made your application
- Monitor the progress of your application
To visit the Online Application Centre, click on the link below.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Contact us if you want to know more about the course.
Call: (+353) 86 0756580 (Business hours 9am-5pm)
Mail: Please use the contact form below
