Arts - English
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
Skills and Careers Information
English is a flexible and attractive degree and provides a wide range of transferable skills. The courses you will study impart skills that can help you achieve success in such professions as journalism, teaching, publishing, theatre, public relations, public affairs, arts management, marketing, law and information sciences.
Such skills include:
the ability to think independently, and to make an effective argument
the capacity to gather, investigate and assess research materials
an aptitude for organising material in a logical and coherent way
the ability to derive conclusions based on research
developing a clear and effective writing style: a key foundation for almost all careers.
A degree in English also supports and sustains a lifelong relationship with books and with literature, and equips you to become a critical thinker, an elegant writer and a creative person.
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
Do you enjoy discussing books, films, song, theatre? By studying English you will develop your knowledge and writing skills, and get more from the books and films you love.
UCC School of English has a strong tradition of creativity and independent thinking. Our students learn, by reading and listening, how to balance different arguments. You will get practice at clear and persuasive writing and at effective discussion in seminar situations. You will join a community of learning where you can develop your ideas and knowledge and shape your skills.
The BA in English introduces you to the subject in its fullest sense. You will study English across the centuries and can cover areas such as creative writing, film, drama and theatre. If you're a keen reader and interested in technology, we can help you hone your digital and literary skills with courses on digital media and through technology-enabled learning.
Modules
Year 1 Modules
EN1010 Critical Reading and Writing (5 credits)
EN1011 Literature in Time (5 credits)
EN1012 Literature in Question (5 credits)
Year 2 Modules
Core
Critical Skills Seminar; Old English Language
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*/4 Modules:
Core
Critical Skills
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
*BA International students spend Year 3 studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in Year 4.
English Department Office
englishdepartment@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2050
http://www.ucc.ie/en/english/