| Code | HDARG |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time, Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | HDip in Arts |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
| Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised. |
| Start Date | 8 September 2025 |
Course Outline
The HDip Arts: Study of Religions gives you an intensive course in the study of religions. The course will appeal to those who have a degree, but have not previously studied religions to degree level.
You’ll select modules drawn from the undergraduate course ‘Religions and Global Diversity’. Through this programme, you’ll have access to research-informed teaching in a variety of religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, and to methods and theories in the academic, cross-cultural study of religions.
The Higher Diploma in Arts shall consist of modules to the value of 60 credits taken from a range of existing 2nd and 3rd Arts modules in the relevant subject.
Over the year, you will study a range of religious traditions and approaches to the study of religions through a selection you make based on available modules for the particular academic year, drawn from the following modules:
- AS3009 Religious and Philosophical Traditions of Korea
- RG2008 One God - Judaism, Christianity and Islam
- RG2300 Islam: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
- RG2301 Buddhism in Practice
- RG2302 Christianities in a Global Age
- RG2304 Religions of East Asia
- RG2305 Authority and Community in Contemporary Christianities
- RG2307 Indigenous Religions
- RG2308 Hinduism and Indian Religions
- RG2309 Contemporary Religions in Ireland
- RG2310 Western Esotericism and New Religious Movements
- RG2311 Contemporary Islam: Exploration in Film, Media and Music
- RG2312 Material Religion
- RG2314 Folk Religion in a Global Age
- RG2315 Ethnographies of Pilgrimage: Semiotic and Comparative Perspectives
Review modules available this Academic year by choosing RG – Religions and Global Diversity in the Subject Area field of the Advanced Search here Search Modules (courseleaf.com).
Modules are 10 credits unless otherwise indicated.
The Dissertation in the Study of Religions offers supervised research in any area of interest in the study of religions, whether or not it has been covered in the taught modules of the HDip programme.
As a HDip student you can take, with the permission of the department, up to 10 credits of religion-related modules in other departments: e.g. Asian studies, folklore, sociology, history, philosophy, Classics, history of art. You can study a language such as Chinese, Japanese or Korean.
Registration with the Teaching Council: For applicants who are taking the Higher Diploma with a view to Teaching Council subject registration, the Higher Diploma is recognised by the Teaching Council for teacher subject registration. In general, if you wish to qualify with Religion as a teaching subject, you are advised to refer to the school curriculum and match the modules to that broad field. Modules are chosen in consultation with the programme coordinator in September.
Students wishing to satisfy Teaching Council requirements will take 60 credits of RG courses (selected in consultation with the Programme Coordinator) plus ED6319.
Many subjects have discipline-specific requirements and you are advised to check the requirements for the subject area by consulting the website of the Teaching Council to verify the following:
1) Curricular Subject Requirements
2) Subject Declaration for Religious Education
Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be based on modules selected over a two-year period.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. 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
The Higher Diploma in Arts shall consist of modules to the value of 60 credits (30 credits each year for the two-year part-time option) taken from a range of existing 2nd and 3rd Arts modules in the relevant subject.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a variety of methods including essays, presentations, in-class tests, learning journals, fieldwork research reports, and (in a small number of cases) exams.
Who teaches this course
Staff profiles can be found on the department’s web pages
Why Choose This Course
UCC’s HDip in the Study of Religions is the only course in Ireland to offer research-informed teaching across traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, New Religious Movements, Western Esotericism, Folk Religion, and East Asian religions.
Our academic, non-theological approach to religions makes the course suitable for students of all beliefs, and for those of no religion, unlike traditional theology departments which promote one religion rather than studying all equally.
The calibre of the staff in the department is unequalled in Ireland, making the HDip a popular choice for graduates seeking an intensive encounter with the study of diverse religious traditions.
Skills and Careers Information
As societies worldwide become increasingly closely interlinked whilst remaining culturally diverse, understanding people’s very different religious beliefs and practices becomes essential for teachers, public sector workers, professionals in NGOs, the media, business, healthcare, human resources, etc.
As well as the enhanced general transferable skills acquired through an Arts/Social Sciences postgraduate programme, the Study of Religions course provides particularly deep insights into different religions and cultures which will help you in any kind of employment involving people. Students successful in the HDip may also apply to enter the department’s Master's or MPhil Programmes, which offers a pathway to research at PhD level.
Requirements
It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4 year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject Study of Religions intensively over one academic year.
The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
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You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
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In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
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Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Important Note: The Higher Diploma in Arts programme is not a teacher training programme. Graduates must apply for the Professional Master of Education teacher training programme to qualify as a secondary school teacher, please see www.ucc.ie/en/pec01
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.