Arts - English & Creative Writing
This course builds and expands on over a decade’s worth of experience in directing and fostering undergraduate talent specifically in Creative Writing.
| 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
4 years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for
entry purposes.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
For holders of the Leaving Certificate, six subjects are required, with a minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and at least Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.
An applicant may combine the results of the Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years for matriculation purposes for all programmes with the exception of Medicine (see section 1). This concession applies to matriculation only; it does not apply to the calculation of points for admission.
Acceptable Subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted for matriculation purposes, with the following exceptions:
Gaeilge–Bonnleibhéal (Irish, Foundation Level) will not be accepted for matriculation or points purposes.
Mathematics (Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level) will be accepted for matriculation purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in programmes for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement. Neither will a score be awarded for a grade in this subject.
Home Economics (General), which has been discontinued from 2004, is not an acceptable matriculation subject for admission to University of Galway. However, Leaving Certificate Home Economics–Scientific and Social is an acceptable matriculation subject for admission.
The combining of the following subjects is not permitted:
• Physics with Chemistry (joint) may not be presented with either Physics or Chemistry
• Only two of History, Economic History and Economics may be presented
• Music and Musicianship may not be presented with Music
• Agricultural Economics may not be presented with Economics
• Classical Studies may not be presented with Latin or Greek.
Laboratory Science Subjects:
The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:
• Agricultural Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics and Chemistry (joint)
• Physics.
For Engineering and Science programmes, Computer Science is a recognized Laboratory Science subject. For Engineering programmes, Technology, Engineering, Design and Communication Graphics or Construction Studies may be accepted in lieu of a Laboratory Science subject.
Bonus Points for Maths
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve grade H6 or above in Higher Level (HL) Mathematics. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total will increase from 600 to 625 (existing maximum points plus bonus points).
The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL Mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL Mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.
The maximum possible adjusted points score for applicants to Medicine will increase from 560 to 565. (For all scores over 550, each 5-point band equals one extra point.) The baseline score of 480 points will still apply but can include the bonus points if HL Mathematics (cumulative points) is among the best six subjects.
Age
Students must normally have attained the age of 17 by 15 January following entry, for example, for entry in 2024, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2008. If a student under that age seeks to enter the University, special application must be made to the President of the University.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Note: While Link Modules are acceptable for points scoring purposes, they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry/matriculation requirements. Students will have the opportunity to use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their six subjects for the purposes of calculating points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
This course will help open doors of employment for you in all those fields where written communication is important. You will have fostered the talent, imagination and professionalism necessary to be a published author and you may consider a career as one. The skills you will acquire are applicable to a wide range of careers and creative fields, for example in teaching, literature, editing, publishing, advertising, and the existing and ever-expanding areas in media, journalism and public engagement.
Further Study
Typical postgraduate courses our Creative Writing graduates move on to include our MAs in Writing, English, Literature and Publishing, Journalism and Education. Our students have a very high success rate in applications to a broad range of postgraduate courses at home and abroad.
Further information
Mature—Applying on the Grounds of Mature Years
If you are at least 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2024 and if your school leaving examination results do not meet normal matriculation and entry requirements, you may apply on the grounds of mature years. In general, applicants are selected on the basis of academic aptitude, which may include certain Leaving Certificate subjects, relevant work and life experience, and evidence of motivation and interest in the programme area. These areas should be addressed in the written application.
It is strongly advised that intending applicants consult the Mature Students Guide, prior to making an application, for information on the application process and assessment criteria. Full details are available from October 2022 in the Mature Students Guide, which can be accessed online or by emailing University of Galway.
In addition, University of Galway will host a Mature Students Information Evening on Wednesday 10 January 2024. This special information evening is designed for anyone aged 23 or over who may be considering studies at University of Galway in 2024. To attend this evening please sign up now at:
All applicants intending to apply for Medicine in 2024 on the grounds of mature years will be required to take the HPAT Test. Registration closing date for the test is 20 January 2024 and the test date is Friday 16 February–Monday 19 February. Mature applicants must also have an Honours Science subject to H4 Leaving Certificate standard prior to taking the HPAT test. Successful candidates will be invited to the MMI interview in May.
Applications must be made by 1 February through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Please note that a late application cannot be made by those applying on grounds of mature years. The applicant must ensure that copies of all relevant information—for example, certificates, transcripts and a personal statement—are included with the CAO application.
Admission on the grounds of mature years is competitive. Applicants who are successful in gaining admission on the grounds of mature years are also assessed on the basis of their school leaving qualifications (if any) in competition with other applicants.
Find out more Access Centre
e. maturestudents@universityofgalway.ie
w. universityofgalway.ie/mature
CAO w. cao.ie
HPAT Test Information w. hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au/
Further advice and guidance t. +353 91 49 2695 w. universityofgalway.ie/mature
Average intake: 40
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
Why choose this course?
• This course builds and expands on over a decade’s worth of experience in directing and fostering undergraduate talent specifically in Creative Writing.
• It provides a unique opportunity for students with an aptitude and passion for literary expression.
• In keeping with the principle that ‘writers learn to write by writing’, the emphasis throughout is on practice-based learning and experience.
• Every week during first year a speaker from the writing professions visits the class for discussions, Q&A, and informal conversation.
• The course’s third year provides for a 100% focus on your personal Creative Writing project(s).
Work Placement
While mentorship with professional writers is the prime work experience for our Creative Writing students, other forms of work placement are possible. Your third year provides a major opportunity for guided self-directed learning, and prospects for additional placements can be discussed in advance with your course director and/or mentor.
Timetable and Assessment
You will typically be expected to spend 40 hours a week all-in focused on your own work as structured via lectures, seminars and workshop classes. For the Creative Writing strand, all grading is by continuous assessment and/or portfolio work.
Study Abroad
If you are studying a language with English and Creative Writing, exchanges with European universities are possible; the Creative Writing study path you take abroad will be discussed in advance with your course director. Non-language students may also avail of an exchange with an English-speaking university abroad, most typically in the USA.
Study abroad options for students not taking a language are subject to academic performance and/or the availability of suitable exchange places at partner universities.
Your course year by year
Please refer to page 36 to see what Arts subjects you can choose on this course.
Note: Some subject restrictions apply—please consult with the course director.
Year One
You will study Creative Writing, English, and one other Arts subject. The focus in Creative Writing will be on the practice of Fiction and Nonfiction, and there will also be a weekly visiting-speaker series.
Students can select their Arts subject from Subject Groups 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. Please note Psychology and Law are unavailable to select for BA English and Creative Writing students.
Year Two
You will study Creative Writing, English, and your other chosen Arts subject. For Creative Writing, Second Year concentrates on the writing of Poetry, Plays and Screenplays.
Year Three
Your Creative Writing work will be the exclusive focus, through mentored, independent project(s) and/or study abroad and/or work placement.
Year Four
Completion of your studies in Creative Writing, English and your other subject. For Creative Writing, your classes will centre on project and portfolio consolidation, professionalisation and career planning.
Find out more
Dr John Kenny
John McGahern Lecturer
in Creative Writing
School of English and Creative Arts
t. +353 91 49 5612
e. john.kenny@universityofgalw