| Code | PDAML |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Year Full-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Ancient and Medieval Languages is a full-time diploma taken over 9 months. Its focus is on the development of skills in two or more ancient or medieval languages from a group consisting of Classical Greek, Latin, Old English, Old Irish, and Medieval Welsh. It also develops knowledge of the history and culture of the societies using these languages. It better equips students with the basic language skills necessary in order to undertake postgraduate research into the ancient or medieval worlds.
Students take 60 credits consisting of language modules to a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 50 credits (Section I) and cognate culture modules to a maximum of 20 and a minimum of 10 credits (Section II). They choose modules according to their experience in their chosen languages from within a group consisting of Classical Greek, Latin, Old English, Old Irish, and Medieval Welsh, and cannot take a beginners’ module if they have already passed it (or its equivalent).
Modules vary from year-to-year. Currently, you may choose from the following modules.
Section I: Language Modules (40-50 credits)
Old Irish
CC6001 Old Irish (10 credits)
CC6003 Early Irish Text (10 credits)
CC6011 Continuing Old Irish (10 credits)
CC6017 Researching Early Irish Texts: Language and Literature 1 (10 credits)
CC6018 Researching Early Irish Texts: Language and Literature 2 (10 credits)
Medieval Welsh
CC6004 Medieval Welsh (10 credits)
Old English
EN2012 Old English Language (5 credits)
Classical Greek
GK2003 Reading Greek (5 credits)
GK2023 Easy Greek Texts 2 (5 credits)
GK3033 Plato (5 credits)
GK6001 Beginners' Ancient Greek (15 credits)
Classical & Medieval Latin
LT2009 Reading Latin (5 credits)
LT6008 Livy (5 credits)
LT6024 Tacitus: Agricola (5 credits)
LT6025 Prudentius, Psychomachia (5 credits)
LT6026 Lucan, Bellum Civille 1 (5 credits)
LT6001 Beginners' Latin (15 credits)
Section II: Culture Modules (10-20 credits)
CC2002 Celtic Saints (5 credits)
CC2003 Exile and Longing: Early Celtic Lyric Poetry (5 credits)
CC2007 The Celtic Languages (5 credits)
CC2013 The Finn Cycle (5 credits)
CC3001 The Mabinogi: Legends of Medieval Wales (5 credits)
CC3014 Early Irish Spirituality (5 credits)
CC6006 Special Topic (10 credits)
CC6007 Research Presentation (10 credits)
CC6008 Palaeography and Manuscript-based Research (10 credits)
EN2011 Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales and Related Texts (5 credits)
EN3015 Of Monsters and Men: Old & Early English Literature (5 credits)
EN3065 Romance: Medieval to Renaissance (5 credits)
EN6051 Middle English Literature, 1200-1550 (10 credits)
EN6053 Old English Literature to c. 1200 (10 credits)
GR2018 Roman Imperial History; AD 14-68 (5 credits)
GR2019 Greek Mythology (5 credits)
GR6012 Divination and Cosmology in Late Antiquity (5 credits)
GR6014 Late Roman History, AD284-395 (5 credits)
GR6015 Latin Literature of Late Antiquity (5 credits)
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
There will be an average of 12 hours of language classes or lectures per week during both semesters.
Assessment varies slightly from module to module, but usually combines some form of continuous assessment, whether class tests or essays, with an end-of-semester examination, with the majority of marks for the final examination.
Who teaches on this course
The teaching team will be drawn from a number of different departments:
- Dr. Tom Birkett, Dept. of English
- Prof. John Carey, Dept. of Early and Medieval Irish
- Dr. Kevin Murray, Dept. of Early and Medieval Irish
- Dr. Emma Nic Cárthaigh, Dept. of Early and Medieval Irish
- Dr. Caitríona Ó Dochartaigh, Dept. of Early and Medieval Irish
- Dr. Catherine Ware, Dept. of Classics
- Dr. David Woods, Dept. of Classics
- Ms. Vicky Janssens, Dept. of Classics
Why Choose This Course
This course offers the unique opportunity to engage in intensive study at the beginner’s level of a combination of ancient and medieval languages no longer taught in many universities. It provides excellent preparation for those considering pursuing a postgraduate degree in the study of some aspect of the ancient or medieval worlds.
Skills and Careers Information
The primary purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Ancient or Medieval Languages is to better prepare students for postgraduate work in the study of some aspect of the ancient or medieval worlds. However, it also provides a broad training suited for those interested in careers in the cultural and heritage sectors as well as in the education sector. A good basic knowledge of these languages will prove particularly useful for those involved in the maintenance of museum and library collections, historical archives, and the numismatic or antique trades.
Potential career paths include jobs involving historical archives, museum collections, the numismatic or antique trades, and teaching.
Requirements
In order to be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma in Ancient and Medieval Languages a candidate should have a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent, in a subject entailing the study of modern languages, ancient or medieval history, art, literature or culture, or equivalent qualifications.
Successful applicants must demonstrate evidence of having taken undergraduate or post-graduate modules in an area that involves the study of ancient or medieval history, art, literature or culture.
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.
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Please detail your computing/technical/IT skills.
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Please add the name and email address of 2 referees.
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.
Apply Now