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4. English

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  English

• Code

  CK109

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  3 or 4 Years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BA (Hons)

• Fees

  EU/EEA/Swiss State Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  2 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; O6/H7 in another language See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2023: 379

Course Outline

Our BA in English offers you the opportunity to explore books, films, and theatre under the guidance of world-class scholars. By studying English you will develop your knowledge, creativity, and writing skills, and get more from the literature you love.

The English Department at UCC has a strong tradition of creativity and independent thinking. In choosing the BA in English, you will join a community of scholars who are passionate about literature and dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and reach your potential.

Our BA introduces you to the subject in its fullest sense. Through reading, writing, discussion, and group and independent research, you will learn about literary genres, movements, and historical periods and develop a deep understanding of critical theories and current debates. You will also have the option of studying creative writing and digital literacy. The programme enables you to gain invaluable experience and skills in research, creative and critical thinking, effective communication, presentation, and teamwork.

Modules

The programme offers a varied and stimulating introduction to literature and culture in the English language. You will be introduced to writing in a range of genres, including novels, poetry, and drama, from several historical periods, and will gain a solid foundation in key critical and cultural theories.

Year 1 Modules

• EN1010 Critical Reading and Writing (5 credits)
• EN1011 Literature in Time (5 credits)
• EN1012 Literature in Question (5 credits)
• EN1101 Contexts: the Production and Reception of Literature and Film (5 credits)
• EN1103 Problems in Literature (10 credits)

In addition choose two subjects from the list below, with no more than one from each group.

• Group 1: Applied Mathematics (Arts); European Studies; Folklore; Gaeilge/Irish; Greek and Roman Civilisation; History of Art
• Group 2: Archaeology; Chinese Studies; German; Latin; Mathematics; Mathematical Studies; Politics
• Group 3: French; Sociology
• Group 4: Geography; Italian
• Group 4b: Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish

Year 2 Modules

• Core: Critical Skills Seminars; Introduction to Old English Language; Special Topics in Literature and Culture.
• Electives: Introduction to Renaissance Literature; Modern Drama; Adaptation, Literature and Culture; Romance and Realism; American Literature to 1900; Eighteenth-Century Literature; Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales and Related Texts; Women and Literature; DH2006 Curation and Storytelling in the Digital Age; LL2003 Aspects of the Classical Tradition.       

Year 3 Modules

• Core: Special Studies Seminars; Dissertation.
• Electives: The Irish Literary Revival and Irish Modernism; Victorian Literature; Modernism; Romance: Medieval to Renaissance; Contemporary Irish Writing; Studies in Shakespeare; Contemporary Culture; Of Monsters and Men: Old and Early English Literature; Modern and Contemporary American Literature; Romantic Literature.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue 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 BA in English involves lectures and small-group tutorials and workshops. During the course of your studies, you may also participate in online discussions, group projects, visit significant cultural sites, or even research manuscripts. Individual study is essential in an English degree: you will often have the opportunity to follow your interests, choosing which texts to study for major assignments while learning to articulate what it is about them that interests you.

Professional Work Experience Module

The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science (CACSSS) offers an optional accredited Professional Work Experience module (PX3001) that enables CACSSS students to explore and develop their career interests. This optional module can be taken in any year of your undergraduate degree.

Why Choose This Course

Our BA in English offers you the opportunity to study English literature in all its variety from its earliest inception to the modern day. You will also benefit from programme-specific modules on creative writing, digital literacy, and problem-based learning.

We offer a challenging and enriching range of courses and allow you to shape your degree according to your interests. You will gain a broad foundation, exploring the subject from its earliest beginnings in Old English right through to contemporary culture and Digital Humanities, and progress to select elective modules and engage in independent research under the supervision of our expert staff.

In addition, you will gain knowledge and transferable skills vital to any future career or programme of study. In exploring literature, you learn to communicate clearly and persuasively; think logically and creatively; assess and apply critical theories; engage in independent research; formulate and evaluate arguments; and to understand key developments in society, politics, and culture.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Skills and Careers Information

English is a flexible and attractive degree which can help you achieve success in such professions as:

• journalism and broadcasting
• teaching
• publishing
• theatre
• public relations
• arts management
• marketing and information sciences

Graduates of the BA in English have a range of transferrable skills including the ability to:

• Write clearly and effectively
• Think independently and creatively
• Organise and engage in research
• Evaluate ideas and derive conclusions based on research
• Craft well-supported, logical arguments
• Apply theories to understand critical problems
• Present information cogently and concisely
• Collaborate and work as part of a team

The UCC BA in English supports and sustains a lifelong relationship with literature, and equips you with the skills and knowledge to become a critical thinker, an effective communicator, an elegant writer, and a creative person able to make a positive contribution to our society and culture.

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

Mature students: Mature applicants should apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and must sit the MSAP exam. See our Mature Applicants page for more information.

Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our EU/EFTA/UK Applicants pages for further information. 

Fees and Costs

How Do I Apply