Arts - Joint Honours - Politics
Choose from a range of Arts subjects for a degree with multifaceted perspectives. You’ll examine areas central to contemporary society, including tradition, culture, world religions, theology, law, politics, communication, human-environment relations, and human behaviour.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 or 4 years, full-time (depending on optional year abroad or INTRA).
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a Level 8 degree at DCU must be at least 16 years of age on 15 January of the year of entry.
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Study
Having completed the Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours degree, you will be eligible to take a Master's degree in one of the subjects studied as well as to undertake Masters studies in related fields such as education, international relations, translation, journalism, advertising, public relations, conducting, environmental science or film and television production.
Further information
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions
203 Places across DC291 DC292 DC293 DC295
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 DCU?
- Be part of a close-knit community where you will feel very much at home
- Discover a large, exciting choice of subjects
- Engage with internationally recognised lecturers in their area of expertise
- Become an independent and creative thinker
- Enjoy the opportunity to study abroad at one of our international partner institutions or undertake paid work placement (INTRA)
About You
Ever wanted to know how the world around you has been shaped and how it really works? If you have an interest in today's world and modern society, this course will certainly appeal to you.
Understanding: Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
This degree draws on our strengths in Humanities and Social Sciences which allows you to study 2 subjects equally to degree level and graduate with one combined degree qualification. Joint Honours degrees are also known as Dual Honours and Double Majors. We offer 5 degree streams as follows:
Humanities (DC009)
Media Studies (DC291)
Law (DC292)
International Languages (DC293)
Politics (DC295)
You can choose your subject of interest and pair it with another subject from within the same group - eg if you have an interest in Media Studies you choose DC291 and pair it with 1 from English, International Languages or Politics.
No matter which subjects you choose, you will have an opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding in that area. Plus, within each subject, you will study a mix of core and optional modules which means you will have even more opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your interests and goals. Each degree stream offers a particular selection of subjects designed to equip you with essential knowledge and skills in that area.
The following subjects are offered on the Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours Degree.
− English (DC009 & DC291)
− Gaeilge (DC009 & DC293)
− Geography (DC009 & DC295)
− History (DC009, DC292 & DC295)
− Human Development (DC009 only)
− International Languages (DC291 & DC293) (French, German, Spanish)
− Law (DC292 & DC295)
− Media Studies (DC291 & DC292)
− Music (DC009 only)
− Philosophy (DC009 only)
− Politics (DC291, DC293 & DC295)
− World Religions and Theology (DC009 & DC295)
Each subject area provides the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a particular academic discipline (see pages 138-145 for an explanation of each subject area).
This degree will prepare you for a variety of careers while also providing a solid foundation for further study at postgraduate level.
Course Structure
- English
You will study a wide range of literature and become familiar with the vital characteristics and contexts of drama, poetry, film and fiction
- Gaeilge
You will develop and enhance your language skills as well as learning about Irish literature, culture and tradition and a range of modern digital approaches to the study of Gaeilge
- Geography
You will examine human activity, human environment relations and physical environments at a variety of scales, from local to global
- History
You will explore how human beings conduct themselves, grounded in a close examination of how they have behaved in the past in all parts of the world but with a particular emphasis on Ireland
- Human Development (DC009 only)
You will develop an understanding of human needs and capacities at crucial stages of development through your studies of Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy
- International Languages
(French, German, Spanish) You will acquire proficiency in your chosen language and learn about culture, film, literary traditions and intercultural communication
- Law
You will learn about constitutional and criminal law; property and European law; and the law of evidence
- Media Studies
You will learn about communication theory, the history of the media, film theory, and press and public relations and develop a thorough understanding of the role media play in society
- Music (DC009 only)
You will explore a broad range of musicological topics and approaches, and further develop your musicality through performance and composition
- Philosophy (DC009 only)
You will critically consider a range of questions about issues such as truth, beauty, value, knowledge, and the nature of reality. In doing so, you will enhance your skills in clear analysis and rigorous argument
- Politics
You will learn about Irish, European and American political systems, international relations and the politics of the United Nations
- World Religions and Theology
You will closely analyse ancient and modern texts, explore ethical issues, and develop insights into cultural and religious diversity as part of the academic study of religion
You will study your chosen subjects through seminars, lectures, workshops, tutorials, small group settings and some online learning, so you will have lots of opportunities to get to know your fellow students. As you progress through the course, you will develop excellent research, writing and presentation skills.
Study Abroad
Most subjects will offer you the option to study abroad for a year. Please note the study abroad option is offered on merit and you will need to fulfil certain criteria to undertake it. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/placement/study-overseas.
INTRA
You can opt to apply for a year-long work placement in Year 3. Giving you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and experience the relevance of your study in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/intra
Politics (DC295)
Select Politics + one other subject from:
Geography
History
Law
World Religions and Theology
Additional Information
The degree also provides a strong foundation for further study.
Contact Details
E: arts@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/arts