Arts BA (Hons) - CK101

Students select four subjects in year 1 from the following, selecting no more than one from each group:

• Group 1: Computer Science; History; Portuguese; Asian Studies
• Group 2: Applied Mathematics (Arts) ; European Studies; Folklore; Gaeilge/Irish; Greek and Roman Civilisation; History of Art; Studies in Psychology
• Group 3: Archaeology; Chinese Studies; German; Latin; Mathematics; Mathematical Studies; Politics
• Group 4: French; Sociology
• Group 5: Economics; English; Greek; An Léann Duchais / Béaloideas / Irish Cultural Studies; Religions and Global Diversity
• Group 6: Geography; Italian
• Group 6b: Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish

In year 2, you continue with two of the four subjects from year 1. You also have the option of dividing the courses (modules) evenly or taking more courses in one subject and less in the other.

If you select a language and wish to extend your degree to four years, you will spend year 3 studying at a university in the country of your chosen language and select one of the following pathways: Chinese Studies, European Studies or Language and Cultural Studies.

In final year, you continue with your two subjects from year 2 to complete your degree.

Chinese Studies Pathway

Students wishing to take the Chinese Studies Pathway must take the Chinese Studies as one of their 4 first year subjects. In year 2, students continue with Chinese Studies and one other subject from First Year (which may be second language). 

European Studies Pathway

Students wishing to take the European Studies pathway must choose four subjects in year 1: European Studies, one or two languages (French, German, Italian or Spanish), and one or two subjects from those listed in the table above. 

Language and Cultural Studies Pathway

Students wishing to take the Language and Cultural Studies Pathway take at least one language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) in year 1. In year 2, students take the chosen language and one other subject from year 1. Students spend year 3 studying at a university in the country of the chosen language. 

• Leaving Cert entry requirements: HC3 in two subjects, and passes in four other subjects at H or O level in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

• Mature applicants should apply directly through the CAO and must sit the MSAP exam. There are 110 places available on this course for mature students. There are certain subject requirements before a student can select some subjects in first year, e.g. Leaving Cert standard Irish is needed to study Irish.

• International Students should visit the International Education Website.

• FETAC Links Booklet (1,515kB)

EU Applicants: Application to the first year of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply on-line at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1stFebruary of the year of entry.

Non-EU applicants

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. Language subjects will have additional weekly language laboratories and Archaeology and Geography require students to attend field trips as well. Even though students only take two subjects after year 1, the workload is broadly similar. Each 5-credit module has approximately 24 one-hour lectures plus additional language laboratories for languages. Students take 60 credits worth of modules each year.

Assessment is by essay, in-class test, learning journals, oral and aural examination and end-of-year examination. Each subject will have different combinations of these. Most subjects combine the mark for coursework completed during the year with the mark for the end-of-year examination to get the final overall mark. Some subjects carry a percentage of the mark from year 2 into final year.

Students who opt to spend year 3 abroad will be assessed and examined by their host universities.

This degree will be taught by academic staff members with the assistance of postgraduate doctoral students.