Advanced Entry

Advanced entry to programmes in the Department of Social Sciences

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified individuals for advanced entry to 2nd and 3rd year of the BA (Ord.) in Social Care Practice (in-service),  the BA (Hons.) in Social Care and the BA (Hons.) in Early Childhood Education.
Applicants may wish to transfer from other educational institutions or may be returning to study after a break. Applicants should have an appropriate educational background and level of achievement which is closely related to the standard of the programme for which they are applying. Please note that the number of Advanced Entry places varies from year to year and places are typically heavily over-subscribed.

BA (Hons.) in Social Care

Applicants to Year 2 of the BA (Hons.) in Social Care will normally hold a National Certificate in Applied Social Studies or equivalent, including BTEC in Social Care, or equivalent (BTEC applicants should have at least 10 distinctions).  Or will have completed Year 1 of the BA (Ord.) in Social Care, or equivalent; or will have completed Year 1 of a BA in Early Childhood Education, or equivalent

Applicants to Year 3 of the BA (Hons.) in Social Care will normally hold a Level 7 qualification in the social care area (with merit or distinction) or a Level 8 qualification in a related area.  Applicants should have considerable work experience in the social care sector.

Darren Wallis, a current 3rd year advanced entry student who joined us after completing a Higher National Diploma in Social Care at Coláiste Dhúlaigh, is happy to discuss his experiences with any aspiring advanced entry Social Care applicants - he can be contacted at: darren.wallis@student.dit.ie

BA (Ord.) in Social Care Practice (in-service)

Applicants must be in full-time employment as a social care worker.  Applicants will be required to show that their manager/employer has agreed to support their attendance on the course.  Applicants to Year 2 will normally have a BTEC in social care, or equivalent (applicants should have at least 5 distinctions); or have completed Year 1 of a BA (Ord.) in Social Care Practice (or equivalent).  Applicants to Year 3  will hold an honours degree in a related area or a Certificate in Applied Social Studies, or equivalent. BTEC applicants should have at least ten distinctions.

BA (Hons.) in Early Childhood Education

Applicants to Year 2 will have gained an award in Childcare at Fetac Level 6 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6 distinctions. Please note that Applicants must have obtained a full FETAC award. A Component Certificate is not sufficient.
Please also note that the NQAI align CACHE level 3 diplomas at Level 5 (see www.nqai.ie/alignmentofUKawards.html), so such students are not eligible for Advanced Entry to this programme.
An applicant who has completed Introductory level modules (Year 1) of the B.A. (Hons.) in Social Care (or equivalent) may also be considered for advanced entry to Year 2.

Applicants to Year 3 will have equivalent ECTS credits to the DIT introductory and intermediate level modules in a relevant area (that is, they will have completed 120 ECTS credits in a relevant area).

Anne McDermott, a current 2nd year advanced entry student who joined us after completing a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care at Cavan Institute, is happy to discuss her experiences with any aspiring advanced entry Early Childhood Education applicants - she can be contacted at: anne.mcdermott@student.dit.ie

Application process

Advanced entry applications should be made online.  Full details are at the Admissions Office website [click here].

Where examination results are not yet available, applicants should forward them to the DIT Admission Office as soon as they are issued. The Institute reserves the right to request applicants to attend for interview as part of the selection process.