• Toll free: 1800 258 5772

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)

Athlone , Westmeath ,Ireland

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Care Practice

Why take this course?
The programme prepares you to become a professional social care worker. The role involves planning and providing care in partnership with vulnerable individuals and groups of all ages, who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or who have additional needs. Social care workers work with a range of service user groups including children and adolescents in care, young people considered at risk, people with disabilities, people who are homeless, people dependent on alcohol/drugs and families in the community.

What will I experience?
On completion of this programme, you will feel confident with the knowledge and skills to provide support, empower and advocate for service users, as well as demonstrate both leadership and management capabilities. Two practice placements, amounting to a total of 800 hours, form an essential part of this four-year programme. Practice placements are undertaken in years 2 and 3. In these, you will use the knowledge, skills and approaches which are relevant to the role of a social care worker.

What opportunities might it lead to?
Social care graduates find employment with a diverse range of employers including the HSE, Tusla (Child & Family Agency), private healthcare providers and voluntary organisations. Graduates find employment with agencies, which provide care for children and young people facing social issues and challenges. Others find roles with agencies, which provide care for individuals experiencing social inequality, unemployment or with people facing family breakdown. Graduates may choose to work with agencies, which provide care for people with intellectual disabilities.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

The Careers Office is focused on helping you reach your full potential through personal development, academic progression and preparing for your next steps once you graduate. While you are at AIT, we encourage you to make the most of your time and embrace all aspects of college life.

The Careers office offers the following:

Career advice and coaching
Help with compiling CVs and cover letters
Interview techniques and ‘mock’ interviews
Advice for students thinking of leaving their course
Employer recruitment programmes
Career Bootcamp series and Annual Careers & Further Study Fair
Job opportunities
Employer presentations and interviews
Postgraduate and further study opportunities
Scholarships and Internships
Summer work
Travelling and working abroad

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Application Procedures for Non-EU Students

Students applying for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate programmes should supply the following information directly to the International Office, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest on or before 1 May for programmes commencing in September:

Completed TUS application form;
Detailed curriculum vitae;
Certified transcripts of examination results and English language translations of qualifications not issued in English
Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy Institute entry requirements for the following programmes)
Foundation level programme: Certificate in English for Academic Studies: Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

Pre-sessional Summer programme in English June to August: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Undergraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 5.5 with no Band less than 5.0.

Postgraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 6.0 with no Band less than 5.5 *

*note some postgraduate programmes require minimum IELTS 6.5.