Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Care

FAO for Students

This programme is approved by CORU

We live in a world of growing inequality and injustice. Do you want to change this? Social Care is a profession dedicated to changing peoples’ lives for the better so that they can be full and empowered participants in shaping their social world. 

The BA (Hons) Applied Social Care degree is designed to enable graduates to make the world a better place for everyone, by empowering and enabling people, and by correcting the social injustices that exist in today's society. You will learn about the multiple causes of social oppression and ways of working with people with a variety of needs so they can be healthy, resilient and free contributors to a caring society.

Social care is about liberating people to achieve a better world. This degree is underpinned by an educational philosophy based on dialogue and lived experience. We have a dedicated full-time placement coordinator who works closely with students to ensure the best possible placement experience. Our small class sizes help enrich students’ understanding of what is involved in an authentic and therapeutic relationship driven by a person-centred approach toward independence and care.

Students may choose to work in a variety of diverse fields such as:

• Disability Services
• Residential Care
• Family Support and Youth
• Mental Health Services
• Community & Voluntary Organisations
• Homeless Services
• Care Leavers
• Advocacy
• Public Sector Organisations

Social Care Work is now regulated by CORU under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. Students who wish to use the professional title of 'Social Care Worker' must register with CORU after completing their studies.

Work Placement

Year 2

Professional Practice 1 - 12 Week Block

Year 3

Professional Practice 2 - 14 Week Block

Garda Vetting

Students of this programme are subject to Garda Vetting. The outcome of the Garda Vetting process may affect the student’s progression.

Language Requirements

Courses are taught through English at ATU. Non-EU students who are coming from a country where English is not the native speaking language need to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English Language and provide evidence of this. They will be required to submit this evidence when applying to ATU. Results must have been achieved within 2 years previous to application to ATU.

More information on English language proficiency standards can be found HERE.

Please also see this TABLE for further information on English language requirements.

Fitness To Practice

A student on the BA Applied Social Care must be Fit to Practice. ATU guidance on Fitness to Practice can be found within its policy. (https://www.gmit.ie/sites/default/files/public/general/docs/fitness-practice-policy-2020.pdf)

Students will be required to read this Policy and acknowledge that they have read and understood this requirement.

Immunisations & Vaccinations While On Placement

Placement providers may require students to be immunised against specific infectious diseases before commencing placement.

Transfer Applications/Direct Applications

The applied social care programme has been submitted for CORU approval and does not permit any advanced entry to the programme during or upon completion of the approval process

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The applied social care programme has been submitted for CORU approval and does not permit any module exemptions based on RPL during or upon completion of the approval process

HEAR SCHEME

Atlantic Technological University is a member of the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR). The Applied Social Care programme participates in this scheme.

What is the HEAR Scheme?

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage. Socio-economic disadvantage negatively impacts on educational attainment at school and affects progression by some second level students to third level.

HEAR offers reduced points places to school leavers who as a result of their socio-economic background have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education.

For more information on the HEAR scheme in ATU, please contact hear.galwaymayo@atu.ie.

https://www.gmit.ie/access-office/hear

DARE SCHEME

ATU is a member of the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) Scheme. The Applied Social Care programme participates in this scheme.

What is the DARE Scheme?

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who as a result of having a disability have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education.

For more information on the DARE Scheme in ATU, please contact dare.galwaymayo@atu.ie

https://www.gmit.ie/access-office/dare

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ATU seeks to facilitate and accommodate students from underrepresented groups in society and embed inclusiveness in all areas of teaching and learning. More information on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in ATU can be found HERE, or by contacting edi@atu.ie. ATU's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy is available to view HERE.

Contact Us

Dr Mark Garavan

Programme Chair

Phone: +353 (0) 94 9043143

E-mail: mark.garavan@atu.ie