Qualification : HIGHER DIPLOMA
Award Type and NFQ level : HIGHER DIPLOMA (8)
CAO/PAC code : MHB60
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 30 August 2025
The Higher Diploma in Social Policy is a transition or conversion programme that is open to graduates of all disciplines who wish to acquire honours degree-level knowledge and credentials in social policy. They may wish to do so in order to progress to postgraduate study in social policy or so as to gain sufficient credits in social policy to qualify for entry to certain professional programmes, including postgraduate training in social work.
The HDipSP allows a student who already has an honours degree, but has not taken the subject of social policy previously, to acquire 60 ECTS credits in social policy, over one year full-time or two years part-time, by selecting from the existing undergraduate degree programme (years 1-3) in the Department of Applied Social Studies.
Additional Information
Entry requirements:
Minimum honours 2.2 grade in a bachelors (NFQ Level 8) degree (any discipline).
Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_2_3/public/assets/images/Ciara%20Bradley%20-%20Applied%20Social%20Studies.jpg?itok=4GLSPgHE)
Academic
Academic
Academic
![Johanna O'Shea](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_2_3/public/assets/images/Photo%20Johanna%20O%27Shea.jpg?itok=yWN3iGsT)
Academic
![Dr Hilary Tierney - Applied Social Studies - Maynooth University](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_2_3/public/assets/images/Hilary-Tiernan---Head-and-S.jpg?itok=8fTr_skg)
Academic
This is a one-year full time course, though it may be taken part-time over two or more years.
Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity
PAC Code MHB60
The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:
Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport.