National Qualifications study routes

If you are interested in a career in professional social work in Ireland, you should make sure that you choose a training course that is recognised as leading to the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW).

The courses that lead to this award are:

Postgraduate Courses

Entry to postgraduate professional courses requires a three-year Social Science degree or equivalent and relevant work experience.

University College Cork (UCC)
Master of Social Work/ Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies (MSW/PDSWS)
Accredited by Board: 07/04/03
Last Full Accreditation: 25/09/2008.

University College Dublin (UCD)
Masters of Social Science (Social Work) / Graduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies (MSocSc(SW)) / Grad.Dip.App.Soc.St)
Accredited by Board: 10/02/03
Last Full Accreditation: 24/04/2008.

University Of Dublin Trinity College (TCD)
Masters in Social Work/Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (MSW/PGDipSW)
Accredited by Board: 29/11/04
Last Full Accreditation: 14/05/2009.

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Masters in Social Work (MSW)
Accredited by Board:25/09/06
Next Full Accreditation: 2011.

Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses combine an academic Social Science degree with professional social work training and are four-years + full time.

University College Cork (UCC)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Accredited by Board: 27/09/04
Last Full Accreditation: 14/05/2009.

University of Dublin Trinity College (TCD)
Bachelor in Social Studies (with Honours) (BSS)
Accredited by Board: 20/05/02
Last Full Accreditation: 14/05/2007.

Where to go for further course information

University of Dublin, Trinity College, School of Social Work and Social Policy
T: 01 896 2001 / Website: www.socialwork-socialpolicy.tcd.ie/

University College Cork, School of Applied Social Studies
T: 021 4902 228 / Website: http://www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/

University College Dublin, School of Applied Social Science
T: 01 716 8511 / Website: www.ucd.ie/appsocsc/

National University Ireland, Galway: School of Political Science and Sociology
T: 091 492290 / Website: www.nuigalway.ie/soc/

Social Work as a Career:

see our Publications and Frequently Asked Questions sections

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