Arts - Religious Studies - Waterford
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) makes available to you a wide range of Humanities and Social Science subjects in a course that is comparable to any Arts degree nationally and worldwide.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert:
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Language recommendations
Applicants intending to choose French PLC: a grade of H5 or equivalent, in Leaving Certificate French is recommended.
Applicants intending to choose Irish PLC: a grade of H5 or equivalent, in Leaving Certificate Irish is recommended.
Applicants intending to choose Spanish PLC: a grade of H5 or equivalent, in Leaving Certificate Spanish is recommended.
For those starting Spanish Beginner (ab initio), there are no special requirements.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme was designed primarily to prepare students for the transition from school to working life. It is not intended for direct tansfer into third level. However, students with the LCAP who have completed a QQI FET/FETAC award can be considered for entry.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) career opportunities
An Arts degree prepares graduates for many work situations and graduates in the past have become teachers, worked in journalism, consultancy, many different forms of professional practice, translation, politics: it is the nature of a Liberal Arts education that it prepares people for a myriad of careers. The adaptability, flexibility and mental agility of Arts graduates, as well as their strong skills in communication and problem-solving, make them very desirable employees in many professions and industries.
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) International
You can choose to spend an extra year (Year 3) in an international partner university. Students who take this option will graduate after four years with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) International.
Follow on Study
Graduates can proceed to a Masters degree by Research in their chosen Major discipline at SETU or elsewhere, as well as various other taught Higher Diploma, Post-graduate Diploma and Masters programmes.
Opportunities
Studying Religious Studies and Theology at SETU gives you a strong foundation in the history and development of theology and religion. There is also special focus placed on the theology of culture, the study of world religions, the global reality of religion, social justice, and the connection between theology and the creative arts. Our graduates progress to a range of postgraduate opportunities and careers, including the Professional Masters in Education (PME), pastoral care, and further study at MA and PhD level.
The programme allows learners who wish to teach in post primary schools to meet the Teaching Council of Ireland’s requirements for the teaching of Religion and has been accepted by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board as an approved degree course for those wishing to apply for certification as a Catholic Healthcare Chaplain.
The BA (Hons) with Religious Studies also allows learners to meet the requirements for postgraduate studies in the areas of Theology, Chaplaincy, Religious Studies, and Digital Humanities, including the University’s MA in Applied Spirituality
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
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
On admission to SETU, students on the Joint Honours Degree will be introduced to each of the subjects and will elect three subjects for their first year of study (only one subject can be chosen from each group). At the end of Year 1, students will continue their studies to graduation in two of their chosen subjects, graduating with what is commonly referred to as a Joint Honours Arts Degree.
Group 1
English
Spanish (Beginners)
Spanish (PLC)*
Group 2
French*
Law
Religious Studies
Geography Environment and Sustainability
Group 3
Irish*
Sociology
Group 4
Psychology
Theatre Studies
Politics and Society
*Students who choose a Language at Post-Leaving Certificate level (PLC) need to meet particular entry requirements.
Year 1
Choose 3 subjects- only one from any group
Years 2 & 3
Elect 2 of your chosen 1st year subjects to continue with
Opt in to Study Abroad: students can choose to add an additional year to their BA (Hons) and graduate with a BA (Hons) International. This optional pathway allows students who successfully complete Years 1 and 2 in SETU Waterford, to spend Year 3 in one of our approved partner institutions abroad, before returning to SETU Waterford to complete their final year.
"Beware of the man whose god is in the skies" -George Bernard Shaw
While Bernard Shaw warns against placing all our hope in a distant figure in the clouds, the study of Religion and Theology at SETU focuses on how cultural values and ideas about the meaning of life and death shape our world. Through the study of world religions, theology, philosophy, ethics, and sacred texts the BA (Hons) in Religious Studies programme gives you the opportunity to explore the different ways religious beliefs form and shape our world in an interdisciplinary context.
A mixture of ideas, outlooks and interests among students and staff fosters lively debate and enables you to gain respect for others and to understand a diversity of views.
Whatever perspective you bring, our programme encourages lively intellectual reflection upon our prior assumptions and the interface between religion, theology, and culture.
Students undertaking Religious Studies can apply to participate in Study Abroad, adding an additional year to their degree and graduating with a BA (Hons) International; students on Psychology also have this opportunity. All students are supported by a SETU Academic Advisor to ensure the study abroad experience will complement their degree subjects and enrich their professional and personal experiences.
Students of Religious Studies also take other subjects as part of their degree. This exposes students to other disciplines and ways of thinking and there is a strong emphasis in SETU on encouraging dialogue between subject areas. Students are supported in developing study, writing, critical and creative thinking and research skills; these skills form the foundation for future years and are highly valued by employers.
Accreditation: The BA (Hons) with Religious Studies has been accepted by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board as an approved degree course for those wishing to apply for certification as a Catholic Healthcare Chaplain.