Arts - Religions & Global Diversity
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
Religions and Global Diversity is recognised by the Teaching Council as a qualification for intending teachers of post-primary RE in Ireland.
As Ireland and societies worldwide remain culturally diverse yet increasingly closely interlinked, understanding different religious beliefs and practices becomes essential for teachers, public sector workers and professionals in NGOs, the media, business, healthcare, human resources, etc.
As well as the valuable transferable skills acquired through any arts/social sciences subject, this course provides particularly deep insights into different religions and cultures, which will help you in the workplace and in any kind of employment involving people.
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
This course explores a wide variety of religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and various forms of Christianity, and as well as offering students the unique opportunity to study indigenous religions, western esotericisim, new religious movements, Japanese religions, anthropology of religions, sexuality and Islam with specialists in these fields.
Religions and Global Diversity is a course that reflects on the critical study of religions and cultures around the world aligning with UCC's tradition of independent thinking. Unlike traditional theology courses; Religions and Global Diversity does not assume you are a believer and is not about promoting religion. It’s a fascinating subject for anyone with an interest in the power of religion, whether or not you follow a religion.
Modules
Year 1 Modules:
RG1001 Religions in the Contemporary: An Introduction to the Study of Religions (15 credits)
Year 2 Modules:
Islam: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives;
Christianities in a Global Age;
Authority and Community in Contemporary Christianity;
Contemporary Religions in Ireland;
Indigenous Religions;
Western Esotericism and New Religious Movements;
Hinduism and Indian Religions;
Religions of East Asia;
Buddhism in Practice;
Religions, Gender and Sexuality;
Islam - Film, Media and Music;
Asian Languages
Year 3*/4 Modules:
Islam: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives;
Christianities in a Global Age;
Contemporary Religions in Ireland;
Western Esotericism and New Religious Movements;
Authority and Community in Contemporary Christianity;
Indigenous Religions; Hinduism and Indian Religions;
Dissertation in the Study of Religions;
Religions of East Asia;
Buddhism in Practice;
Religions, Gender and Sexuality;
Islam - Film, Media and Music;
Asian Languages
*BA International students spend third year 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.
Amanullah De Sondy
amanullah.desondy@ucc.ie
021 490 2895
http://www.ucc.ie/en/religion/