Arts International
Arts (International) includes a year abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe, the United States, Canada, South America or Asia, and is open to language and non-language students.
| 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 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
Arts Subjects Requirements with Points to Note
Computer Science (Group 1)
Computer Science is available in First Year Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit minor subject within the Single Subject Degree Programme.
Portuguese (Group 1)
Students wishing to take Beginners' Portuguese, you must have obtained a minimum H4 in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin, or Greek.
History of Art (Group 2 (a))
History of Art may be taken with another subject in Group 2 in First Year only.
European Studies (Group 2 (b))
This subject is available in First Arts and thereafter only as part of the BA (International). European Studies students wishing to transfer to the four-year BA Hons International must make an application seeking the approval of CACSSS. All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places.
Studies in Psychology (Group 2 (b))
Studies in Psychology in Arts first year stream only for 2026/27 entry. Subject to be part of Group 2b. This subject is available in Year 1 only.
Chinese Studies (Group 3)
This subject is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme or as a 20-credit subject in the Major Subject Programme in the three year BA Degree. Students wishing to continue with Chinese Studies as a 30- or 40-credit subject must make an application seeking the approval of CACSSS to transfer to the BA (International). All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places. These students will spend the third year of their degree studying at an approved university in China and return to UCC to complete their degree programme in Fourth Year.
German (Group 3)
Students wishing to select German Non Beginners should have a minimum grade H4 in German in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take German (Beginners) are recommended to have a minimum of grade H3 in another modern continental language.
Latin (Group 3)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme..
Mathematical Studies (Group 3)
Students will be required to achieve a minimum H4 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
French (Group 4)
A Student will not normally be allowed to select French unless they have attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent).
Studies in Music (Group 4)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10-credit subject in Single Subject Programme only.
Béaloideas (Group 5)
Students wishing to select Béaloideas should normally have a minimum grade H4 in Irish in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Lectures are through the medium of Irish.
Students may not take both Béaloideas and Folklore.
Students intending to apply to transfer to the BA (International) and take Chinese Studies or continental languages, at a Single, Major or joint subject in Second Year, should note that they cannot register for Béaloideas in Second Year.
Greek (Group 5)
This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject in the Single Subject Programme.
Italian (Group 6a)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in another modern continental language, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent). Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Italian are recommended to have a minimum of grade H4 in Italian in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
Spanish (Group 6b)
Students wishing to take Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin or Greek OR evidence of competence equivalent to Grade H4 in a foreign language other than Spanish. Students who have studied Spanish at second level and obtained a grade below H4 can also join the Beginners’ Spanish course. Students wishing to take Non-Beginners’ Spanish must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in Spanish in the Leaving Certificate examination (or equivalent).
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
Adjusting to life in another country and its university system is a crucial formative experience for anyone. You will gain enhanced independence and maturity and you will demonstrate commitment and adaptability to future employers.
When you spend time in another country you also have a greater cultural awareness than those who don't. As with all BA degrees, employers are more interested in academic results and transferable skills than in which particular subjects were studied.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 13
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 135
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
Arts (International) includes a year abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe, the United States, Canada, South America or Asia, and is open to language and non-language students.
This four-year BA honours degree will give you the opportunity to enhance your learning experience and increase your cultural awareness by living and studying in another country. Students who select a language and opt to spend Year 3 in the country of that language will also be able to demonstrate an increased linguistic ability to prospective employers.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
You will spend one full academic year (September to May) as a registered full-time student at a university abroad. You will partake fully in all lectures, coursework and assignments. You will take examinations at that university and your results will be forwarded to UCC. You can choose in which country and in which of our partner universities in that country you wish to spend Year 3.
You will receive a lot of support in preparing for your year abroad, as well as support from staff at your host university and staff in UCC while on your year abroad. See our Go Abroad with UCC page.
Modules
Year 1 Modules: Students select four subjects* in Year 1 from the following, selecting no more than one from each group:
Group 1 Asian Studies; Computer Science; History; Portuguese
Group 2a* History of Art
Group 2b* European Studies; Folklore; Gaeilge/Irish; Greek & Roman Civilisation, Studies of Psychology (Year 1 only)
Group 3 Archaeology; Chinese Studies; German; Latin; Mathematical Studies; Politics
Group 4 French; Sociology; Studies in Music
Group 5 Economics; English; Greek; Béaloideas; Religions & Global Diversity
Group 6a** Geography; Italian
Group 6b** Celtic Civilisation; Philosophy; Spanish
*Groups 2(a) and 2(b): Students can combine group 2(b) History of Art with any subject from Group 2(a) in First Year only. Students can only study one subject from Group (2a) and 2(b) in Second and Third Year.
**Groups 6(a) and 6(b): Students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy in Second Year. Students may not combine Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish in Second Year.
Year 2 Modules: 60 credits in total, including LL2108 as a compulsory 5-credit core module; the remainder of credits are to be taken in two subjects continued from Year 1.
Year 3 Modules: 60 credits spread between the two subjects continued from Year 2, or equivalent agreed programme of study at a partner university abroad.
Year 4 Modules: 60 credits spread between the two subjects continued from Year 2.
Mattieu Nivard
matthieu.nivard@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2035
http://www.ucc.ie/en/cacsss/
bainternational@ucc.ie