Arts
Our BA degree programme at University College Cork is the gateway to the immense and exciting possibilities of education. We offer a wide variety of subjects across diverse fields – this allows you the flexibility and opportunity to choose your career pathway or postgraduate route.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course 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 O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Additional Requirements
There are further subject-specific requirements for subjects on offer through the BA in Arts. You can find out details on subject-specific entry requirements in the Academic Programme Catalogue.
Portuguese (Group 1)
If you wish to take Beginners' Portuguese, you must have obtained a minimum H4 in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin, or Greek.
German (Group 3)
Students wishing to select German Non Beginners should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) are recommended to have a minimum of grade H3 in another modern continental language, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek, in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students will be accepted to the Beginners group only if they have no prior German, or if they have reached a level no higher than Junior Certificate German.
Mathematical Studies (Group 3)
From 2025/26 students will be required to achieve a minimum H4 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
French (Group 4)
A Student will not normally be allowed to select French unless they have attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent).
Béaloideas (Group 5)
Students wishing to select Béaloideas should normally have a minimum grade H4 in Irish in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent). Lectures are through the medium of Irish.
Italian (Group 6a)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in another modern continental language, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Spanish (Group 6b)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin or Greek OR evidence of competence equivalent to Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can also join the Beginners’ Spanish course. Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
As an Arts graduate, you will make significant contributions to our society, culture, and economy. The cultural and intellectual enrichment derived from the process of your learning will extend to your contributions, significant and subtle, to your future work environment, community and culture.
Aside from your subject knowledge and expertise, employers across a range of professions increasingly seek out individuals with a range of intellectual attributes such as the ability to:
think critically and independently
be creative and innovative
problem solve
contribute to cultural, economic, and social challenges
conduct research
communicate with a high level of intellectual fluency
Our graduates have pursued careers in a wide range of areas including:
Archaeologist
Arts Management
Finance/Banking
Information Sciences
Interpreter
Marketing and Management
Public Affairs
Publishing
Researcher
Teaching/Lecturing
Theatre
TV/Radio
UCC Employability Guide
Our UCC Employment and Employability Guide notes that University College Cork (UCC) graduates are highly sought-after by employers: 93% of our graduates are in employment or further studies within nine months of graduating.
Postgraduate Studies
Due to the extensive range of subject choices on offer, you will have vast opportunities for Postgraduate Study in UCC, Ireland, and Internationally. In UCC our graduates have gone on to postgraduate study in such areas as:
MA Criminology
MA Digital Arts and Humanities
MSc Economics/Business
PME Education
MA Film & Screen Media
MSc Computing Science
MSc Management & Marketing
MA Global Gallery Studies
MA Translation Studies
Please see the CACSSS postgraduate page for more information on a vast array of postgraduate programmes, including CACSSS PhD options for graduates.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 55
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 570
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Our BA degree programme at University College Cork is the gateway to the immense and exciting possibilities of education. We offer a wide variety of subjects across diverse fields – this allows you the flexibility and opportunity to choose your career pathway or postgraduate route.
This programme gives you the space to explore your options. Ultimately you will not only excel in specific subject knowledge you will develop those intellectual, social and management skills essential for today’s working environment.
Our Arts CK101 programme is a full-time three-year honours programme, based at the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS). If you wish to spend a year abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe and beyond, you can apply to our four-year Arts (International) CK108 programme which is open to language and non-language students.
In Arts CK101 you choose four subjects in Year 1 before specialising in two subjects in Year 2 for the duration of your degree. The Arts programme at UCC offers:
30+ subject choices (see below);
a unique Arts Professional Work Experience (PX3001) module;
& the opportunity to change your mind on any subject choices in the initial weeks of your first year.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science (CACSSS) offers an optional Professional Work Experience module (PX3001). This is an accredited professional work experience module that allows CACSSS students to explore and develop their career interests.
Year 1 Modules
You will select four subjects from the following Subject Group Table, selecting no more than one from each group.
Group 1 Asian Studies; Computer Science; History; Portuguese
Group 2(a) History of Art
Group 2(b) European Studies; Folklore; Gaeilge/Irish; Greek & Roman Civilisation
Group 3 Archaeology; Chinese Studies; German; Latin; Mathematical Studies; Politics
Group 4 French; Sociology; Studies in Music
Group 5 Béaloideas; Economics; English; Greek; Religions & Global Diversity
Group 6(a) Geography; Italian
Group 6(b) Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish
*Groups 2(a) and 2(b): Students can combine Group 2(b) History of Art with any subject from Group 2(a) in Year 1 only. Students can only study one subject from Groups 2(a) and 2(b) in Years 2 & 3.
**Groups 6(a) and 6(b): Students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy in Year 2. Students may not combine Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish in Year 2.
Please note there are a number of first-year subjects in CK101 that are only available as minor subjects after the first year:
European Studies: European Studies is only available through Arts (International) CK108 after first year. Students who wish to keep on European Studies in second and subsequent years must apply to transfer to CK108 Arts International at the end of first year in CK101. Please contact the College Office for application.
Music: Students who are interested in studying Music with another Arts subject, should apply to CK104 Arts - Music. Studies in Music through Arts CK101 is only available as a minor subject after first year and you will not be eligible to apply to transfer into the second year of CK104 from CK101 Arts.
College Office
cacsss@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2773
https://www.ucc.ie/en/cacsss/