World Languages
The BA World Languages is a four-year specialist language programme, including a year of study abroad. It aims to produce graduates with sought-after language skills, as well as an understanding of language as a system and of the cultures of the languages studied. While the focus of the programme is on living European and world languages, Latin is also offered for its value as an academic discipline and as the root of several of the other languages available.
| 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 H3 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject 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
H3 in a language other than English
Arts Subjects Requirements with Points to Note
Portuguese
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.
German
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.
French
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).
Italian
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
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
Graduates can expect to find employment in a wide range of areas in both the public and private sectors, including teaching, the financial sector, international trade, and retail management.
Employers of UCC language graduates include: the EU, the European Central Bank, Bord Bía, Enterprise Ireland, Google, Emc2, Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Musgraves, Lidl, Apple
Various postgraduate opportunities exist within the schools delivering the programme. See our PhD pages online.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 5
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 56
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
The BA World Languages is a four-year specialist language programme, including a year of study abroad.
It aims to produce graduates with sought-after language skills, as well as an understanding of language as a system and of the cultures of the languages studied. While the focus of the programme is on living European and world languages, Latin is also offered for its value as an academic discipline and as the root of several of the other languages available.
Most of the languages offered (except French or Irish) can be taken without having been studied previously, but all students must have demonstrated competence in a language other than English.
Year 3 of the programme is a structured year abroad, involving study at a partner institution or a combination of study at a partner institution and a work placement.
In Years 1, 2 and 4 you will take courses in a range of languages, together with dedicated content (eg language structures, translation theory/practice, digital skills, teaching English as a foreign language).
Year 1 Core Modules
WL1101 Language: Sounds and Structures (10 credits)
WL1103 Becoming Multilingual (5 credits)
Electives
Three languages* (15 credits each) from:
Chinese, English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)**, French, Gaeilge/Irish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish
*At least one language must be continued for the remaining years of the programme.
** Available in Year 1 only
Year 2 Core Modules
Intercultural Communication
Introduction to Semiotics
Electives
Two or three languages (50 credits total), at least one of which must be continued from Year 1: the number of credits available in different languages varies.
Year 3
Study and/or Work Placement in one or two of the countries of the languages studied in Years 1 and 2.
Year 4
Language and Power
Languages and Information Technologies
Introduction to Translation Studies
Languages (1,2 or 3)
Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language*
* The number of students taking this option is capped.
Dr Caroline Williamson Sinalo
caroline.williamsonsinalo@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2653
https://www.ucc.ie/en/sllc/
worldlanguages@ucc.ie