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Course Fact File

Code	CK101
Duration	3 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	BA (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8
CAO Points	2025: 300
CAO Points Range	2025: 300-613

Course Outline

Our BA degree programme at University College Cork is the gateway to the immense and exciting possibilities of education. We offer a wide variety of subjects across diverse fields – this allows you the flexibility and opportunity to choose your career pathway or postgraduate route.

This programme gives you the space to explore your options. Ultimately you will not only excel in specific subject knowledge you will develop those intellectual, social and management skills essential for today’s working environment.

Our Arts CK101 programme is a full-time three-year honours programme, based at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS). If you wish to spend a year abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe and beyond, you can apply to our four-year Arts (International) CK108 programme which is open to language and non-language students. 

In Arts CK101 you choose four subjects in Year 1 before specialising in two subjects in Year 2 for the duration of your degree. The Arts programme at UCC offers:

• 30+ subject choices (see below);
• a unique Arts Professional Work Experience (PX3001) module;
• & the opportunity to change your mind on any subject choices in the initial weeks of your first year.

Year 1 Modules

You will select four subjects from the following Subject Group Table, selecting no more than one from each group.

Group 1	Asian Studies; Computer Science; History; Portuguese,
Group 2(a)*	History of Art
Group 2(b)*	European Studies; Folklore; Gaeilge/Irish; Greek & Roman Civilisation; Studies in Psychology
Group 3	Archaeology; Chinese Studies; German; Latin; Mathematical Studies; Politics
Group 4	French; Sociology; Studies in Music
Group 5	Béaloideas; Economics; English; Greek; Religions & Global Diversity
Group 6(a)**	Geography; Italian
Group 6(b)**	Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish

*Group 2(b)*: Studies in Psychology is only available in Year 1.

*Groups 2(a) and 2(b): Students can combine Group 2(b) History of Art with any subject from Group 2(a) in Year 1 only. Students can only study one subject from Groups 2(a) and 2(b) in Years 2 & 3.

**Groups 6(a) and 6(b): Students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy in Year 2. Students may not combine Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish in Year 2.

Please note there are a number of first-year subjects in CK101 that are only available as minor subjects after the first year:

• European Studies: European Studies is only available through Arts (International) CK108 after first year. Students who wish to keep on European Studies in second and subsequent years must apply to transfer to CK108 Arts International at the end of first year in CK101. Please contact the College Office for application.
• Music: Students who are interested in studying Music with another Arts subject, should apply to CK104 Arts - Music. Studies in Music through Arts CK101 is only available as a minor subject after first year and you will not be eligible to apply to transfer into the second year of CK104 from CK101 Arts.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Check 'Points to Note' for a full list of subject entry requirements and subject-specific information. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

 

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours: Normally lectures are scheduled Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Each student’s timetable will differ depending on the subjects selected. In First Arts each subject entails three to four lectures per week plus a one-hour tutorial. Even though you will take only two subjects after Year 1, the workload is broadly similar. Each 5-credit module has about 24 one-hour lectures. Students take 60 credits worth of modules each year.

Expected lab/practical hours: Language subjects will have additional weekly language laboratories.

Field trips: Archaeology and Geography require students to attend field trips.

Why Choose This Course

Connected Curriculum

We encourage innovative teaching and learning practices at UCC. This learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines across the Arts programme.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science (CACSSS) offers an optional Professional Work Experience module (PX3001). This is an accredited professional work experience module that allows CACSSS students to explore and develop their career interests.

Skills and Careers Information

As an Arts graduate, you will make significant contributions to our society, culture, and economy. The cultural and intellectual enrichment derived from the process of your learning will extend to your contributions, significant and subtle, to your future work environment, community and culture. 

Aside from your subject knowledge and expertise, employers across a range of professions increasingly seek out individuals with a range of intellectual attributes such as the ability to:

• think critically and independently
• be creative and innovative
• problem solve
• contribute to cultural, economic, and social challenges
• conduct research
• communicate with a high level of intellectual fluency

Our graduates have pursued careers in a wide range of areas including:

• Archaeologist
• Arts Management
• Finance/Banking
• Information Sciences
• Interpreter
• Marketing and Management
• Public Affairs
• Publishing
• Researcher
• Teaching/Lecturing
• Theatre
• TV/Radio

UCC Employability Guide

Our UCC Employment and Employability Guide notes that University College Cork (UCC) graduates are highly sought-after by employers: 93% of our graduates are in employment or further studies within nine months of graduating.

Postgraduate Studies

Due to the extensive range of subject choices on offer, you will have vast opportunities for Postgraduate Study in UCC, Ireland, and Internationally. In UCC our graduates have gone on to postgraduate study in such areas as:

• MA Criminology
• MA Digital Arts and Humanities 
• MSc Economics/Business 
• PME Education 
• MA Film & Screen Media
• MSc Computing Science
• MSc Management & Marketing
• MA Global Gallery Studies
• MA Translation Studies 

Please see the CACSSS postgraduate page for more information on a vast array of postgraduate programmes, including CACSSS PhD options for graduates.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

Additional Requirements

There are further subject-specific requirements for subjects on offer through the BA in Arts. You can find out details on subject-specific entry requirements in the Academic Programme Catalogue.

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Applicants

To compete through the mature entry route, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. Your application should include a statement of interest.

You can find further information on applying as a mature student on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages. 

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply