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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.
The course is made up of five modules:
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
For more information on our unique and award winning learner supports, click on the Link below:
| 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 | 15th September 2026 |
| Course End Date | 30th June 2027 |
| 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 sample course calendar, please visit the course page at opentrainingcollege.com. |
| Course Fee | €5,596 + €110 application fee. A discounted fee of €4,992 is available to members of SCI, The Wheel and to past-students of the OTC |
| 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. * A cognate qualification is one that is similar in nature, content and quality to the course being applied for. |
| Career 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). |
| Course Code | PG24966 |
The next course commencement: Friday, April 10th, 2026 Application Deadline: Friday, April 3rd, 2026 -- This Training and Development Award is the nationally approved Level 6 QQI professional qualification for new and experienced trainers.
Next commencement: March 6th, 2026 with an Online Orientation Session (on Zoom) from Noon until 1.
BA in Social Care – CORU Approved Degree Programme Next Course Start Date: September, 2026Application Status: Open for Applications The Application Centre is now open for applications.
