| Code | HDAFL |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time, Full-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 30 June. Early application is advised. |
| Start Date | 9 September 2024 |
Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in Folklore gives you the opportunity to study everyday life in Ireland, in all of its rich diversity and its vast range of cultural expressions. Folklore, like its synonym popular culture, makes a study of everyday life, both past and present. Quite simply, it studies life by looking at how people lived their day-to-day lives: their houses, technologies, stories, rituals, beliefs, religion and cosmological understandings.
Folklore has a special place in the formation of Irish consciousness, in literature, and is one of the most important hallmarks of Irish culture. The Department of Folklore at UCC is ideally placed to offer unique insights into Irish life, popular culture and traditions. It is one of only two such departments in Ireland.
The study of ordinary life is at the heart of the Higher Diploma in Folklore. Years of experience in teaching and conducting original research into Irish life, traditions and folklore make the Department of Folklore and Ethnology the ideal place to study these aspects of Irish life, and make participating in the Higher Diploma in Folklore a rich and rewarding experience.
By studying for a Higher Diploma in Folklore, you will cover key topics including:
- oral literature (e.g. narrative, story, and song)
- popular religion (e.g. belief, healing, festivals)
- popular material culture (e.g. vernacular housing, and technologies past and present).
This course will give you the skills to:
- trace the development of the discipline of Irish and European folklore
- engage with various aspects of traditional and contemporary Irish culture
- identify key genres in narrative, and recount the social and cultural context for storytelling
- evaluate the ethnographic value of archival documents
- be able to research an ethnographic project through archival sources
- design an ethnographic fieldwork project
- use recording technology to conduct an ethnographic interview.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
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 Folklore is intended for those who already have a degree and who wish to study folklore intensively over one or two academic years, part-time. The course consists of modules to the value of 60 credits taken from a range of existing year 2 and 3 modules in BA Folklore. Part-time students will study second year modules for 30 credits in year 1 and third year modules for 30 credits in year 2.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out through continuous assessment in the form of written assignments.
Who teaches this course
Staff of the Department of Folklore and occasional guest speakers.
Click HERE for details of the Department staff profiles
Why Choose This Course
There are only two university departments in Ireland that teach and research Irish folklore as an academic subject, making the Department of Folklore and Ethnology at UCC a leader in its field. The discipline itself is unique in making everyday life, traditions, beliefs and popular behaviour the actual focus of its attention. No other discipline can provide the insight or the perspective on Irish life and traditions that folklore does
Skills and Careers Information
In addition to developing archival and analytical skills, you will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Irish popular culture, both past and present, in studying the stories, rituals, beliefs, traditions, religion and cosmological understandings of the people.
Graduates of our department have gone on to careers in:
- journalism
- television and radio
- teaching
- the heritage sector (museums, folk parks, etc.
- community-based folklore and arts projects management
- academia.
Requirements
It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4 year primary degree and who wish to study the subject Folklore intensively over one or two academic years. The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.
Applicants are asked to study the modules offered before applying, to ensure that they are aware of the approach taken to the study of Folklore in the Department of Folklore and Ethnology at UCC.
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. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025
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.
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 fact file boxes at the top of the page.
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 via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority 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.
- Please detail your computing/technical/IT skills.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
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