Arts - Information & Communication
Information & Communication Studies (ICS) equips students with the knowledge, skills, and tools to help them make sense of a world where every aspect of human experience is affected by digital technology, communications media, data, and information in all formats.
| 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
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subjects
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
• To meet minimum entry requirements (matriculation) on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six recognised subjects selected according to course requirements (see Entry Requirements for each course) and must obtain at least Grade H5 in two subjects and Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.
• A student may normally combine the results of Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years to meet minimum entry requirements. This concession applies to to minimum entry requirements registration only; it does not apply to the calculation of points. However, it should be noted that students seeking to enter Medicine must meet the minimum entry requirements, including both Leaving Certificate points and Matriculation, in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
Acceptable subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted with the following exceptions and qualifications:
1. Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes.
2. Mathematics Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level will be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in courses for that the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement.
Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.
Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous years, which include subjects no longer offered should contact www.ucd.ie/askus for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions that may apply.
Combination of subjects not permitted
The subject “Physics and Chemistry” may not be presented with either “Physics” or “Chemistry”.
• “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 Science (DN200) only, Applied Mathematics, Geography or Computer Science may also be used as a laboratory science subject.
Assessment of applications
Admission to most undergraduate courses is extremely competitive. Entry is based on the points system for students presenting Irish Leaving Certificate examinations.
Notes
• Minimum points requirements can change from year-to-year as they are dependent on demand for each course, as well as the number of places available.
• 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade H6 or better in Leaving Certificate Mathematics, where that subject is one of the six subjects being counted for points purposes.
• Applicants’ performance in the Leaving Certificate examination is scored on their best results in no more than six individual subjects taken in the Leaving Certificate examination of any one year. This does not preclude an intending applicant from taking school-leaving examinations in two or more years. In this event, the choice of year for scoring purposes will be such as to ensure that each applicant is credited with the maximum possible score.
• It is still possible to achieve matriculation and subject requirements over more than one year. However, for admission to Medicine, applicants must achieve both the required subject grades and the points in the same sitting.
• The subjects and combinations of subjects not permitted for matriculation also apply when computing an applicant’s points score.
• The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combined with HPAT – Ireland. Please see www.myucd.ie/ medicineaddreq
• For scoring of pre-2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, please see www.myucd.ie/leavingcert/pointsscoring
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
22 UCD undergraduate courses from a broad range of courses accept applicants on a competitive basis with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications and modules. The minimum requirement is five distinctions in appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) qualifications including components specified for the relevant programme.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Career & Graduate
Study Opportunities
Information and Communication Studies is relevant for careers in web design and development; social media; social computing; journalism; user experience design; marketing; media management; broadcasting; research; publishing; digital marketing, and business. Graduates can progress to various Masters or PhD research programmes:
• MSc Communication & Media, which prepares students for public and private sector careers in digital media industries, communication regulation and policy, media design, management and research.
• MSc Human-Computer Interaction and MSc Information Systems, which prepare students for careers in human-computer interaction, usability, user experience, user research and information systems-related professions.
• Master of Library & Information Studies (MLIS), which prepares students in careers including librarianship, information consulting and digital media management.
Graduates can also pursue research careers by studying for a PhD.
Further information
UCD has a mature entry pathway for anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2024, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January, 2001.
How do I apply?
For all full-time and some part-time undergraduate degree courses, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie. For some courses you must also register for a specific test (HPAT and NMBI Nursing/ Midwifery Assessment test) for details of what is required for each course. For most of our courses, the closing date for application is 1 February 2024. Some courses may accept late applications up to 1 May 2024, but this is subject to the availability of places.
What information should I provide?
You should complete the mature section on the CAO form fully, as this is a key part of how we will assess your application. Supporting documents for your qualifications should be sent to CAO as soon as you complete your application. If you wish you can also send an additional statement of interest or CV. Please visit our website www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information on application and advice on how we assess applications.
For more information: www.ucd.ie/maturestudents
Other School Leaving Examinations
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Open Learning Entry Route
See www.ucd.ie/openlearning
Overall there are 380 places in DN520
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
BA Joint Honours (DN520)
This long established, three-year course gives students the freedom to choose from an unrivalled range of 26 subjects and build their own bespoke degree. Students applying through the CAO select DN520 and choose two subjects. Overall, there are 420 places on the Joint Honours.
Students can add a third subject or choose from a wide range of elective modules at the start of first year during registration. At the end of first year, students commit to their two Joint Honours subjects and study these subjects to BA degree level. Popular combinations include: Film Studies and French, Music and Irish, Art History and History, and History and Greek & Roman Civilisation.
BA International
Students on the BA Joint Honours can choose to spend a full year abroad in third year at one of our partner institutions around the world, making it a 4-year degree. Students who choose this option graduate with a BA International.
Studying Information & Communication
Studies as a joint major with:
• English
• Linguistics
Why is this course for me?
Information & Communication Studies (ICS) equips students with the knowledge, skills, and tools to help them make sense of a world where every aspect of human experience is affected by digital technology, communications media, data, and information in all formats. ICS analyses the effects of existing and emerging digital technologies on societies, culture, politics, privacy, health, education and the many spheres of public, private and personal life, and also helps students to develop the skills to be involved in the design of new technologies. ICS provides students with the skill-set and subject knowledge to develop career pathways into varying parts of the tech, communications and media industry specifically, and a range of careers more broadly. Ultimately, ICS is about people, and understanding how people and technology interact and influence each other in the 21st Century.
What will I study?
First Year
All first-year social sciences students study the core module, Societal Challenges in the Twenty First Century. Additional modules may include: Information & Social Media • Digital Technology • Digital Judgement: Truth, Lies & the Internet • Information, Society & Culture • + 1 other subject • Elective module
Second Year
Students in ICS take the core module Critical Research Skills, and choose from additional option modules including: Core Competencies for Digital Citizenship • Social Media & Participation in an Online World • Exploring Text with Python • Computer- Mediated Communication • Social Studies of ICTs • Contextual Design Inquiry • Theories of Media & Communication • Data Dilemmas • + 1 other subject • Elective modules
Third & Fourth Year
ICS students deepen their disciplinary knowledge and understanding by choosing specialist and experiential modules to reflect their interests and career goals, including: The Digital Self • Digital Media Ethics • Digital Storytelling • Web Publishing • Web UX Evaluation • Gender, Race and Media • Digital Research Skills • Artificial intelligence • Research & Discovery (4th Year only) Technology and Human Rights • Digital Media & Climate Crisis • Personal Information Management • Information Architecture • Elective modules
Internship Opportunities
In third year, students can apply for an optional paid internship for one trimester in a range of organisations in the public and private sector, which help to inform future career decisions through real-world experience.
International Study Opportunities
Students may study abroad for a year or a trimester. Destinations include the USA, Australia, China and Canada.
Students in ICS attend classes and undertake independent study and project work. Assessment is through a combination of continuous assessment, projects, and end-oftrimester written examinations.
www.ucd.ie/myucd/socsc
UCD School of Information and Communication
Studies
fiona.smyth@ucd.ie
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @MyUCD