Arts - Asian Studies
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
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Graduate Study Options
UCC has a flourishing and expanding Asian Studies programme with opportunities for PhD and Masters level study in different regions of Asia.
Further study options for students who graduate with Asian Studies as part of their degree include:
MA Asian Studies
MA Chinese - Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
HDip Advanced Languages and Global Communication
MA Applied Linguistics
MA Global Cultures and Languages
MA Translation Studies
The Department of Asian Studies also offers PhD programmes.
Career Opportunities
As Asia plays an ever more important role in the world, the number of domestic and international companies and institutions that are doing business, or working with, Asia is increasing. All of these organisations are increasingly recruiting graduates with good Asian language skills and an in-depth understanding of Asia, its peoples, politics, business, culture and society. Examples of existing and future employers and careers include:
governmental agencies and departments, including trade, import/export organisations such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland
translation/ interpreting agencies
diplomatic services
multinational companies across every sector, particularly pharmaceuticals
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean acquired/owned companies located in Ireland and the rest of the EU
Graduates of Asian Studies often go on to careers in the Department of Foreign Affairs, multi-national companies based in Ireland or other EU countries, as well as a variety of careers in Asia. Students with a background in Asian Studies also find it easier to differentiate themselves from other candidates on the job market. The degree year in Asia, which most students take up, equips them with a wide array of cross-cultural and communication skills easily marketable in a wide range of job seeking environments. It also sets them apart in demonstrating a capacity for tolerance and resilience.
Many of today’s students will be pursuing careers either based in Asia or involving significant contact with Asian colleagues and contacts in Ireland, Europe or further afield. With Asian Studies as part of your degree, you will feel confident in dealing with many aspects of Asia, whether in business, education, politics or development. Asian Studies will also give you a unique perspective on your own culture, making you more self-aware and culturally sensitive; these are increasingly valuable attributes in a globalising world.
Further information
September 2026
CK101 Arts: Approximate Available Places 50
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
CK101 Arts: Approximate Available Places Overall 500
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 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 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 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 2026 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
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.
Subject options on registration: Students choose four subjects from the list below in Year 1, with not more than one subject from any group.
Students continue with 2 of these subjects in Years 2 & 3:
Group 1: Asian Studies, Computer Science***, History, Portuguese
Group 2(a)*: History of Art
Group 2(b)*: European Studies, Folklore, Gaeilge/Irish, Greek and Roman Civilisation, Studies in Psychology****
Group 3: Archaeology, Chinese Studies, German, Latin***, Mathematical Studies, Politics
Group 4: French, Sociology, Studies in Music
Group 5: Béaloideas, Economics, English, Greek***, Religions and Global Diversity
Group 6(a)**: Geography, Italian
Group 6(b)**: Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy, Spanish
*Groups 2(a) and 2(b): Students can combine 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): From Year 2, students may combine Italian with Spanish, but students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy; or Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish.
***These subjects are available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme
****This subject is available in Year 1 only
Asia is the fastest growing economic centre in the world, home to more than half the world’s population, and many of the world’s great philosophical and religious traditions. Asian studies involves the study of the political, economic, societal and cultural factors and ideas shaping international politics, economy and culture in East Asia. This will prepare you for a career in foreign relations and global policy, or with Asia-Pacific oriented multinational corporations and international organisations.
Asian Studies examines the many different countries that constitute this vast continent, from the Middle East to India and the Himalayan States, to Southeast Asia region and the Far East. The 21st century has been dubbed the "Asian century" because of the rapidly rising economic, cultural and political importance, on the world stage, of Asian countries, especially China, Korea, and Japan. Yet in Ireland our knowledge and understanding of this vast area is generally lacking.
Asian countries are very different from each other. While looking at the Asia-Pacific in general, our program concentrates on East Asia, with a focus in teaching the languages and societies of Chinese, Japanese and Korean speaking countries.
Study abroad with UCC’s partner universities in Asia is also encouraged.
Year 1
First year students in Asian Studies take 15 credits as follows:
AS1000 - Introduction to East Asia (5 Credits)
and either
AS1501 - Japanese Language Level 1 (10 Credits)
OR
AS1601 - Korean Language Level 1 (10 Credits)
OR
AS1500 - Guided Study Project - Japanese (5 Credits)
and
AS1600 - Guided Study Project - Korean (5 Credits)
For Japanese AS1501 and Korean AS1601, Non-beginner Students will be assessed by a language tutor and may, subject to departmental approval, be directed to a higher class more appropriate to their level of proficiency (AS1502, or AS1503, AS1504, AS1602, AS1603, AS1604).
Kiri Paramore
kiri.paramore@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2116
http://www.ucc.ie/en/asian/