What will I learn?

The BA (Applied Social Studies) is a one-year progression programme for candidates who have already attained the requisite standard in a Level 7 professional programme (including supervised fieldwork practice) in community development, youth work, social care or a cognate professional area. Applicants should normally have achieved second class honours or a 鈥渕erit鈥� grade or equivalent in a relevant Diploma, National Diploma or Ordinary Degree award, which must have a value of at least 120 credits on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Minor awards with insufficient ECTS credits are not eligible.

The BA (Applied Social Studies) consists of 60 ECTS credits.

The programme offers advanced study in:

Professional Practitioner Development
Irish and European Social Policy
Social Inequalities and Social Change
Environment, Sustainability and Social Justice
Research Skills for Policy and Practice
Interagency and Multi-Professional Collaboration and Partnership

Career Options

The BA (Applied Social Studies), like other honours degrees in the social sciences, provides a valuable academic foundation for many vocations and occupations. It can enable graduates to progress further in their existing professional field, or to proceed to postgraduate professional training in social work, community development and youth work, and other areas.

Students attaining the requisite standard may proceed to a postgraduate research degree in the applied social sciences.

Graduates of the BA (Applied Social Studies) can also be found working in policy analysis, applied social research, public administration and management, civil society/non-governmental organisations, journalism and the media.

Which department am I in?

Faculty of Social Sciences

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees

Information not available

Please

Start date

February 2025

Venue

Maynooth University

Maynooth University, Maynooth,

MAYNOOTH,

Kildare,

W23 F2H6, Leinster, Republic of Ireland

Entry requirements

For international students

Students must have completed a Leaving Certificate equivalent to the Ireland Leaving Certificate.

IELTS - 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band; TOEFL internet-based test - iBT: 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in all other sections; Pearson Test of English - 63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section; Duolingo English Test (DET) - 120 with no less than 110 in literacy, conversation, and comprehension subscores and no less than 95 in production. (This lower production subscore applies to non-EU applicants only), Cambridge Proficiency Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English. Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Cambridge Advanced Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Cambridge First Cert. - 176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1); ETAPP - C1 or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2); Oxford Test of English - 140 with no less than 125 in each skill; Trinity College London ISE - ISE III with at least merit in each skill category. International Baccalaureate 鈥� English A1, A2, or B5 at Higher Level (4at either Level if presenting IB through English) NOTE: Applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old should present additional proof of English.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.