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BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (COMMUNITY AND YOUTH WORK) (FULL TIME)
Passionate about and committed to social and environmental justice? MH116 is the ideal choice for students who want to work in solidarity with those affected by human rights denial, poverty and inequality.
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- Qualification
- Bachelor Of Social Science Degree
- CAO Points
- 000
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH116
- Award Type and NFQ level
- UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
- Study Mode
- Full time
- Closing Date
- 01 February 2027
Overview
The BSocSc Community and Youth Work is a professional qualification in community work and youth work, dual endorsed by AIEB and NSETS.
Community work and youth work are both concerned with the achievement of social change. This programme combines the full-time level 8 degree with a supervised block fieldwork placement each year, creating a unique and transformative learning environment. This provides a solid foundation for practical learning, critical reflection, and readiness for employment in the sector.
A range of topics relating to community and youth work are studied in all three years of the programme, in a small group setting, with and from others who are committed to making the world a better place.
Students are taught by a highly experienced, committed and passionate staff team who will challenge and support students to reach their potential as professionally qualified youth workers and community workers.
The Department of Applied Social Studies (DAPPSS) is the longest established provider of professional education and training in youth work and community work in the Republic of Ireland.
This programme is for you if you are passionate about and committed to social and environmental justice and want to work in solidarity with those affected by human rights denial, poverty and inequality.
Course structure
Duration: 3 years (BA)
- The MH116 degree is a level 8 honours degree and professional qualification in Community Work and Youth Work.
- It combines on-campus study of a range of topics relevant to community and youth work with off-campus full-time block supervised fieldwork practice.
- Classes run from early September to late May each year with an attendance requirement of 80%.
- Students are required to complete 520 hours of full-time block supervised fieldwork in each year of the degree. This will involve evening and weekend work. All students complete fieldwork practice in both community work and youth work.
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
After Graduation
Graduates find employment in a range of community and youth work organisations and agencies such as:
- community development projects
- urban and rural development groups
- environmental justice groups
- youth projects
- organisations concerned with particular groups (e.g. women, Travellers, LGBTQ+) or issues (e.g. global citizenship education, Human Rights, unemployment, migrant rights, drugs, poverty etc.)
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Applicants
MH103 is a CAO restricted-application course (closing date February 1st)
Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English. As a CAO restricted-application course, CAO Points are not required (set to 000).
Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
Application procedure
As a restricted-application course, entry to MH116 BSocSc Community and Youth Work is not based on CAO points. The application process is designed to assess applicants’ potential to develop as professional practitioners. All applicants are invited to Maynooth University to complete a written exercise. The selection process also includes an individual and group interview, which take place at Maynooth University in April 2027. Applicants attending interview will be asked to bring one work-, volunteer-, or study-related reference.
Note 1: 50% of places are reserved for appropriately experienced mature students.
Note 2: Any offer of a place on this programme is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.
Please contact the Department of Applied Social Studies for further information.
DARE
Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.
HEAR
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.
This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
|
Subject |
Required |
Ordinary Level Grade |
Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
Irish |
Yes |
O6 |
H7 |
English |
Yes |
O6 |
H7 |
Language |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
Mathematics |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
Science |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
* This course requires 4 additional subjects.
How to apply
Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office) by 1 February 2027 - CAO restricted-application course
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.
Categories of applicant:
- School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
- Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
- EU/EFTA/UK students
- International students (outside the EU)
- QQI (Further Education) students
- Transferring students
- Deferring students
Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.