Expand+To compete for a place as a school leaver, an applicant must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as well as any specific programme requirements, and then compete on the basis of the results obtained in their school leaving examinations.

Applic...

Hide-To compete for a place as a school leaver, an applicant must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as well as any specific programme requirements, and then compete on the basis of the results obtained in their school leaving examinations.

Applicants may combine results achieved in different sittings for the purpose of meeting the minimum entry requirements for programmes, with the exception of Medicine (CK701). However, results achieved in separate years of school-leaving exams may not be combined for the purpose of scoring points.

Leaving Certificate applicants compete on the basis of a Points scheme.

Age Limits for Entry
For 2020 entry, CAO applicants for full-time degree programmes should have reached 17 years of age by 15th January 2021. Where a candidate below that age seeks to enter UCC, a special application must be made by the applicant to the Admissions Officer. Such an application should be accompanied by a letter of support from the Principal of the school at which the student is completing their school leaving examination.

Exemption from Irish And/Or The 3rd Language
In certain circumstances, applicants may be exempt from Irish and/or the third language requirement. Please refer to the NUI Handbook, the UCC Calendar or talk to your Guidance Counsellor for further details.

Infectious Diseases Policy
Students enroled on certain courses in the College of Medicine and Health are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting certain infectious diseases as a result of being in the clinical environment as part of their course. It is important, therefore, in order to protect patients and students that healthcare students are screened for, and immunized against, certain infectious illnesses. Students enroling in the School of Nursing and Midwifery are screened and immunized by the Health Service Executive Occupational Health Service and are subject to the HSE policies in this regard. All other undergraduate students in the College of Medicine and Health are subject to the UCC Infectious Disease Screening and Blood Borne Virus Policy. Details will be sent from the Admissions Office once a student has accepted his/her place.

Expand+QQI FET (FETAC) Students
Entry to degree programmes at UCC is available on a competitive basis to students who present with a recognised QQI award. For a full list of linked programmes, and the relevant QQI FET requirements, see www.ucc.ie/ e...

Hide-QQI FET (FETAC) Students
Entry to degree programmes at UCC is available on a competitive basis to students who present with a recognised QQI award. For a full list of linked programmes, and the relevant QQI FET requirements, see www.ucc.ie/ en/study/undergrad/fetac.

Students must meet the requirements and have achieved distinctions in the awards as outlined for each programme.

Due to the competitive nature of the Nursing Programmes, scores will only be calculated when the appropriate award is presented together with all the required modules and grades from a single sitting. For full details of the QQI FET award scoring scheme see www.qqi.ie.

Expand+Mature Students
UCC reserves places for mature students on almost all undergraduate degree programmes. Mature students do not need Leaving Certificate points to enter UCC. However, some degree programmes have specific educational requirements and i...

Hide-Mature Students
UCC reserves places for mature students on almost all undergraduate degree programmes. Mature students do not need Leaving Certificate points to enter UCC. However, some degree programmes have specific educational requirements and it is essential that prospective applicants check the Mature Student Guide, the Mature Student Office website, or contact a Mature Student Advisor for further details.

To be eligible to compete for a place as a mature student, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before the 1st January 2020. Application is made through the CAO by 1 February 2020. There is no late application date for mature students. UCC allows mature applicants to change the order of their CAO preferences up to 1 July. The completed application form is a vital component of the selection process.

The Mature Student Office will be pleased to help you with your application. The Mature Student Guide gives details of all aspects of the application and selection procedures as well as financial matters. This Guide is available on request from the Mature Student Office. The MSAP selection test for mature students to the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences will take place in March 2020.

Contact Information: Mature Student Office 1–2 Brighton Villas T: +353 (0)21 490 3670 E: mso@ucc.ie

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2020 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2020 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2020 CAO Handbook): F...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2020 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2020 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2020 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2020 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2020 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2020 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 21 of the 2020 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2020 at 5:15pm

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 5:15pm on 1 February 2020. The closing date for late applications is 5:15pm on 1 May 2020, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2020 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2020 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2020 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.

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, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology 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 21 of the 2020 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2020 at 5:15pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the Change of Course Choices facility for a fee of €10 before 1 March at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2020 at 5:15pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5:15pm on 1 March 2020.

To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5:15pm on 1 March 2020.

Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 15 March 2020 at 5:15pm

Expand+Introduction
Politics affects everyone. It is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the rules under which we live. These rules govern our lives – when and where we can smoke or how much tax we pay on our wages. In our modern w...

Hide-Introduction
Politics affects everyone. It is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the rules under which we live. These rules govern our lives – when and where we can smoke or how much tax we pay on our wages. In our modern world where information comes from so many different sources, analytical and research skills are crucial in any job you will get.

This degree gives you those transferable skills as well as an in-depth foundation in political science, public administration, business and law. Above all, it gets you to think outside the box while putting in practice your skills before going into the workforce.

Why Study
There are four key reasons why you should enroll in the BSc Government and Political Science. Firstly, it offers a unique combination of politics, business and law, including a Work Placement.

Secondly, our staff are all involved in national, European and international research projects which brings life and variety to our teaching as well as enhances the opportunities for students to get involved in research.

Thirdly, our staff are also highly committed to public engagement which opens up the Department onto the outside world. We attract guest speakers from the world of politics including – over the past decade – John Hume, Former President Mary McAleese, Emily O’Reilly, John Bercow, David Norris, Ivana Bacik and Former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

Finally, the degree is both intellectually stimulating and practically oriented. You will undertake a considerable amount of project work that will require you to use your initiative in searching for data and information and in conducting research and analysis. Graduates are therefore equipped for a wide variety of careers in politics, management, retail, banking, government departments, local government, voluntary groups, journalism, and second-level teaching.

Work Placement
Work Placement is an integral part of the BSc Government and Political Science. Students undertake a Work Placement in Year 3 of the degree, at home or abroad. Recent student placements have included the civil service, government agencies, New York State Assembly, Scottish Parliament, the European Parliament, banks, insurance companies, media organisations, PR companies, humanitarian groups and local government.

The Work Placement component is developed from the moment you start the degree with introductory classes to the placement in year one. In year two, you will have classes dedicated to CV writing as well as one-on-one meetings with our Placement Manager. In year three, your placement classes will prepare you intensively to going into the workforce. Finally, in year four, classes focus on the lessons you have learnt from your placement and your career plans. You are supported throughout the degree with regards to your ultimate job search.

KEY FACTS

• Unique combination of politics, business and law

• A Work Placement, home or abroad, embedded in the programme since 1999

• Small class sizes allow for interactive teaching

• Focus on research and analytical skills to develop independent thinking

• Research active staff engaged with the wider community

• High profile guest speakers

Expand+Year 1 Modules

Each year of the degree includes 12 modules with core ones and elective ones.

CORE: Politics of the European Union, Democracy, Ideology and Utopia, Politics and Government of Ireland, Local Government and Politics of Ireland, An...

Hide-Year 1 Modules

Each year of the degree includes 12 modules with core ones and elective ones.

CORE: Politics of the European Union, Democracy, Ideology and Utopia, Politics and Government of Ireland, Local Government and Politics of Ireland, Analytical Thinking Skills in Political Science, Introduction to Political Science, International Politics, Public Law, Public and Private Management, Social Policy Analysis

Year 2 Modules
CORE: Economic Reasoning for Business, European Government and Politics, Citizen Participation, Public Management, Policy Making in the European Union, International Security, Elections and Voting, Theories of Political Science, Public Law II

Year 3 Modules
Year 3 and 4 offer you less core modules and more choice in terms of electives in order for you to shape the degree to suit your professional goals

CORE: Politics in Northern Ireland, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, Politics of the United States of America, Global Political Economy, Finance, Chinese Politics,Political Science Methods and Methodology

Year 4 Modules
CORE: Government Research Dissertation, Contemporary Debates in Ireland, Contemporary Debates in the EU

*Modules are subject to change

Expand+Careers

This degree holds a strong employment record across all sectors. Our students have gone on to a variety of careers:

• Public service, home and abroad (e.g. Cork City Council)

• Political adviser (e.g. Spokesperson to the Mayor o...

Hide-Careers

This degree holds a strong employment record across all sectors. Our students have gone on to a variety of careers:

• Public service, home and abroad (e.g. Cork City Council)

• Political adviser (e.g. Spokesperson to the Mayor of London, Deputy Spokesperson to the British Prime Minister)

• Civil service (e.g. Government Departments)

• Journalism (e.g. Irish Examiner, Evening Echo)

• Television (e.g. BBC)

• International organisations (e.g. United Nations, Mine Action Service)

• Private business – start up (e.g. KonnectAgain).

Further Study

• MRes Government and Politics
• MRes Government and Public Policy
• MSc Government and Politics
• MSc International Public Policy and Diplomacy.