Course Description
BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Disability Services Management) - Level 8 - Sept 2025
- Next commencement: Autumn 2025
- Applications for 2024 are now closed. The application centre will re-open in March 2025 for the September 2025 commencement
- Enquiries to: cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com
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The BA (Honours) in Applied Social Studies (Disability Service Management) provides qualified Social Care Workers and other professionals with the knowledge and skills to make substantive, positive changes to organisations. The one year, part time course will help you to become an advanced social care practitioner and drive the development and delivery of quality, rights driven services to people with disability.
It also satisfies the educational requirements for anyone looking to pursue postgraduate studies in the disability and broader social care field.
This programme is aimed at managers in disability services in Ireland or those wishing to progress their career in management in the sector. This focuses on frontline managers to service managers within disability services. In addition, the programme is relevant to any person within disability services who is involved in systems change.
Please note: The requirement for social care registration is a Level 7 approved Social Care degree. This Level 8 qualification is not being put forward for CORU approval.
Please note the requirement for social care registration is a Level 7 approved Social Care degree. This Level 8 qualification is not being put forward for CORU approval.
Course Content
The course is made up of five modules:
- Applied Research Methods
- Current Issues in Social Care Management: Elderly, Children and Dual Diagnosis
- Innovation, Leadership and Change in Disability Services
- Legislation and Policy Context in Disability Services
- Disability Service Management Skills
Assessment includes:
The course is assessed through a combination of continuous assessments, projects and written examinations. Continuous assessments may consist of assignments (i.e. essays), project work, group activities, online activities, in-class assessments, reflection and placement.
Supports Provided
- Dedicated tutor throughout
- Online international award winning learning resources developed for online learning
- Access to learning technologies such as a virtual environment
- Tools to support virtual learning and off campus learning
- Online activities to support assessment
- Face to face lectures, seminars, tutorials
- Assessment submitted, marked and returned to learners with feedback through electronic or other media
For more information on our unique and award winning learner supports, click on the Link below:
- To find out more, or to apply, please contact Conor on 086 0756580 (Business hours 9am-5pm) or
- by email at cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com, or
- Visit the course page at opentrainingcollege.com.
| Training Provider | Open Training College |
| Course Location | Dublin |
| Location Postcode | Dublin 9 |
| Course Type | Blended Learning - Mix of Classroom & Online |
| Course Qualification | Honours Bachelor Degree |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| Awarding Body Details | BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Disability Service Management) |
| Course Start Date | 15/09/2025 |
| Course End Date | 08/06/2026 |
| Course Duration | One Year |
| Course Time | This is a one-year blended programme with 14 workshops which take place online or in Dublin (Marino Institute of Education), from 9.30am-4.00pm. To view the provisional course calendar, please visit the course page at opentrainingcollege.com. |
| Course Fee | 5296 plus €95 application fee |
| Entry Requirements | Applicants must be 23 years at time of application and hold a social care NFQ Level 7 qualification (180 credits, level 7 degree). All other applicants must hold a cognate* qualification. All applicants must be employed or volunteering in a service for people with disabilities for at least 10 hours a week. International Applicants whose first language is not English must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English, i.e. Minimum CEFRL B2+ (=IELTS 6.0) or equivalent. People who want to take advantage of our advanced entry system, which allows you use previously gained academic qualifications to gain specific exemptions, must have completed a Level 6/7 cognate* qualification to 60 credits (NFQ) or more in Social Care or Social Studies within the last 10 years. Visit the advanced entry page to find out more process. * A cognate qualification is one that is similar in nature, content and quality to the course being applied for. |
| Carear Path | Holding the Level 8 qualification can significantly enhance your promotion prospects. Past graduates have been promoted to a variety of roles including social care leaders, person in charge, service managers and area directors. A number of them have used the qualification as a basis to create new innovative services. Other graduates have specialised in areas of interest including supporting people within the autistic spectrum, positive behaviour supports, supported employment and quality inspections of disability services. Successful completion of this course is also essential for post-graduate study. Past graduates have gone on to a variety of postgraduate courses in areas including training and education, social work, advanced social care, mental health, community studies and addiction studies. On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply for relevant postgraduate courses, e.g. Masters Degree in Disability Studies (Trinity College Dublin) or Masters in Advanced Social Care Practice (Athlone Institute of Technology) both at Level 9 (NFQ). |
| Phone | 086 0756580 |
| Course Code | PG24966 |
Course Provider
Open Training College
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Open Training College
Goatstown, D14 P9E4, Dublin
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