Social Policy (Online) University College Cork

Overview

The Social Policy (Online) course at  University College Cork is delivered online. It provides a flexible approach to study for students with employment and/or care responsibilities; as well as those restricted geographically.

Key facts

• Each module is built around a series of weekly short lectures, assigned readings, and online discussions.  Full-time students can typically expect 10-15 hours of study per week alongside moderated activities.  For the part-time option, students can typically expect 6-7 hours of study per week. The course is designed to be flexible to consider the busy schedules of students with employment and care responsibilities. The online delivery will allow students to engage with the course material when it suits them.  It is important to note that more time will be required to research and write assignments.
• Students must also make themselves available for occasional online supervisory meetings in the second semester while writing their research report. The research report is taken in the second semester. It is a desk-based piece of research of 10,000 words in length.   
• As the course is delivered online, it is recommended that applicants have access to a reliable internet connection of at least 2Mb/s or more download speed and 0.5Mb/s upload speed.
• The Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online) gives students a foundation in the study of the welfare state and the social services. It is a conversion course for those who don’t hold a social science degree, but wish to apply for the Master of Social Work course. The course also prepares students for entry to other postgraduate courses in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, e.g. social policy, planning, youth and community work, social services administration and child care.