Pathways

Social Work Pathways

There are a number of ways to achieve your goal of becoming a social worker: 

• CAO system 
• Tertiary Degree Pathway,
• Graduates Apprenticeship programme
• Progression from FETAC level V programmes into Degree courses.
• Masters Programmes

CAO system

See below for further information on options available through the CAO system, check out Careers Portal and link in with your guidance teacher for assistance.  

Institute	Course Title	Website
University of Galway	Master of Arts in Social Work
University College Dublin	Professional Masters in Social Work
Maynooth University	Master of Social Science (Social Work)
Trinity College Dublin	Bachelor in Social Studies
Trinity College Dublin	Master in Social Work
University College Cork	Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
University College Cork	Master of Social Work
Atlantic Technological University Sligo	Masters of Arts in Social Work
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)	Master’s degree in social work

Tertiary Pathway - Undergraduate degree in Social Work outside of the CAO system.

What is a Tertiary Degree?

A Tertiary Degree is a new pathway from Further Education and Training with seamless progression into Higher Education to earn an undergraduate degree.  The Tertiary Degree provides guaranteed access (subject to passing exams) to a degree programme that starts in further education and concludes in higher education. Also, you do not need to apply through the CAO for a tertiary degree course. 

A social work tertiary degree pathway, co-delivered by University College Cork and Cork Education and Training Board. This program offers a route to obtaining an undergraduate degree in Social Work outside the CAO system, making it more accessible for a wider range of students.   

Checkout info on the National Tertiary Office website

Graduate Apprenticeship Programme

An innovative “earn while you learn” apprenticeship in social work, allowing participants to gain invaluable on-the-job experience while earning a salary. The program leads to a Level 9 qualification in Social Work, equipping graduates with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for their careers.  For people with a primary degree and those who may be considered for admission under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) .

Checkout www.apprenticeships.ie

Social Care Pathways

There are a number of ways to achieve your goal of becoming a social care worker:

• CAO system
• Masters Programmes
• Progression from FETAC level V programmes into Degree courses. 

See below for further information on options available through the CAO system, check out Careers Portal and link in with your guidance teacher for assistance. 

Also, checkout info on the National Tertiary Office website to see if a Degree in Social Care is available through this pathway.  

Institute	Course Title	Website
TU Dublin Tallaght	Applied Social Care
SETU Waterford	Applied Social Care
ATU Galway/Mayo	Applied Social Care
Carlow College	Applied Social Studies – Professional Social Care
SETU Wexford	Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care
TU Dublin -Blanchardstown	Applied Social Studies in Social Care
TUS Midlands	Applied Social Studies in Social Care
ATU Donegal	Health and Social Care

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