Regulations for the Schools of the Faculty:
BSc in Social Work and Master of Social Work
(Four Year degrees - no entry after 2000/01)
  1. These four year degree courses are offered in conjunction with the BSc (Social Sciences) in Sociology and Social Policy (with Social Work Studies) and a candidate shall be required initially to register for the Degree in Sociology and Social Policy (with Social Work Studies). The first year (Part I) and the second year are common with the BSc in Sociology and Social Policy (with Social Work Studies) and are governed by those Regulations.

  2. A candidate who wishes to transfer from the three-year BSc (Social Sciences) in Sociology and Social Policy (with Social Work Studies) to the four year course must apply to do so at the beginning of Year 2. Such candidates will then be interviewed to determine their suitability for professional social work. Successful candidates will subsequently be registered for the four-year course. All other candidates will remain in registration for the three-year course.

  3. Year 3
    Semester one:
    SW301, SW303, SW305, SW307, SS303.
    Semester two:
    Students will undertake an assessed practice placement, under supervision, in a local social work agency. The placement will constitute the unit course Analysis of Social Work Practice 1 (SW304). It will be arranged to allow students to attend the unit course Social Work Practice Methodologies (SW302).

  4. Year 4
    Students whose average weighted marks for units taken in Years 2 and 3 are 50% or more may register for the degree of Master of Social Work. All students will undertake a second assessed practice placement under supervision in a local social work agency. It will occupy three days a week and extend into parts of the Christmas and Easter vacations. In the remaining two days a week students will follow the programme below: Analysis of Social Work Practice II (3 units) (SW401) - this unit includes an assessed practice placement, Dissertation (3 units) (SW4998/99), Social Work Intervention (2 units) (SW403). All taught units will be assessed by essay.

  5. Professional assessment of Analysis of Social Work Practice I (SW304) and Analysis of Social Work Practice 2 (SW401) will be by written report from a designated Practice Teacher. Such assessment will not affect the award of a degree, but will determine eligibility for the award of the Diploma in Social Work.

  6. Candidates registered for the degree of Master of Social Work, whose average weighted marks for units taken in Years 2, 3 and 4 are 50% or more and whose dissertation is deemed to pass at Master's level will receive the degree of Master of Social Work. Candidates registered for the degree of Master of Social Work, whose average weighted marks for units taken in Years 2, 3 and 4 are 50% or more but whose dissertation is deemed to pass only at BSc level may either receive the degree of BSc in Social Work or resubmit their dissertation for the degree of Master of Social Work. Candidates registered for the degree of Master of Social Work, whose average weighted marks for units taken in Years 2, 3 and 4 do not attain 50% are only eligible for the degree of BSc in Social Work. Candidates who are successful in their study for the Master of Social Work or the BSc in Social Work will normally be eligible for the award of the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) from the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. The degree of Master of Social Work may be awarded with Merit or with Distinction.

  7. A candidate who registers for study for the BSc in Social Work or the Master of Social Work, fourth year, will not be eligible to receive the BSc (Social Sciences) in Sociology and Social Policy (with Social Work Studies).

  8. In cases where the behaviour of a student registered on this programme is considered to be unprofessional, damaging or dangerous to either service users, other students or programme providers, or is considered to be unethical or creates unacceptable risk for themselves or others a recommendation may be made for termination of programme, in accordance with procedures set out in the relevant departmental student handbook. This procedure may be invoked at any time during the programme when a student's behaviour has been called into question, including either during a practice placement or after practice has been completed, or at any time during the academic part of the programme.