BA (Hons) - CK101

Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

The BA (Hons) degree programme offers a wide choice of subjects with students selecting four subjects in First Arts from a choice of thirty subjects and continuing with two of the chosen First Year subjects in Second and Third Arts. It is an honours degree programme taken over a three-year period.

To be eligible for the award of the BA (Hons) degree a student will be required to have achieved 180 credits by obtaining 60 credits in each of First, Second and Third Arts. A student may not register for more than 60 credits in one year.

First Arts

Students must choose four subjects from the groups in Table 1 (below) with not more than one subject from any group.

Timetable Groups

Year 1
Choose four subjects with not more than one subject from any of the following groups:
Group 1
Asian Studies
Computer Science 1
History
Portuguese 2
Group 2a 3
History of Art 4
Group 2b 3
Applied Mathematics 5
European Studies 6
Folklore
Greek and Roman Civilisation
Gaeilge/Irish
Group 3
Archaeology
Chinese Studies 7
German 8
Latin 9
Mathematics 10
Mathematical Studies 11
Politics
Group 4
French 12
Sociology
Studies in Music 13
Group 5
Béaloideas 14
Economics
English
Greek 15
Religions and Global Diversity
Group 6a 16
Geography
Italian 17
Group 6b 16
Celtic Civilisation
Philosophy
Spanish 18
Year 2 & 3
Complete selected subject
BA (HONS) (Single Subject)
50 credits of one subject
10 credits of a subject
BA (HONS) (Major Subject)
40 credits of a subject
20 subjects of a subject
BA (HONS) (Joint Subject)
30 credits of two subjects
1

Computer Science: This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10-credit subject within the Single Subject Degree Programme.

2

Portuguese: Students wishing to take Beginners' Portuguese must have obtained a minimum Grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) in another modern continental language, or Irish, Latin or Greek.

3

Groups 2 (a) and 2 (b): Students can combine group 2 (a) History of Art with any subject from Group 2 (b) in First Year only. Students can only study one subject from Group 2 (a) and 2 (b) in Second and Third Year.

4

History of Art: History of Art may be taken with another subject in Group 2 in First Year only.

5

Applied Mathematics: Students who wish to take Applied Mathematics must have achieved at least a H3 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). Students taking Applied Mathematics in First Arts must also take Mathematics (MA1055 Mathematics (Honours)). Applied Mathematics may not be combined with Mathematical Studies (MS1002 Calculus, MS1003 Linear Algebra, MS1004 Introduction to Statistics).

6

European Studies: 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 the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences. All such applications are subject to examination results and availability of places.

7

Chinese Studies: 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 the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences 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.

8

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, or Irish, or Latin, or Greek in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students will be accepted to the Beginners group only if they have no prior German, or if they have reached a level no higher than Junior Certificate German.

9

Latin: This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10 credit subject in the Single Subject programme.

10

Mathematics: This subject may not be combined with Celtic Civilisation or Spanish in First Arts due to timetable restrictions. Students who wish to take Mathematics must have achieved at least a H3 in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent). Students who have passed MS1002 Calculus, MS1003 Linear Algebra and MS1004 Introduction to Statistics may not register for MA1055 Mathematics (Honours) in a repeat year. This is only available with Applied Mathematics, Economics or Philosophy in Second Arts. In exceptional circumstances students may, with the permission of both Heads of Department, be allowed to combine Mathematics with another Arts subject, timetable permitting. Students who wish to register for Mathematics in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in Mathematics in the First University Examination in Arts. Students who achieve 40% will be allowed to register for Mathematical Studies in Second Arts.

11

Mathematical Studies: Students who have passed MA1055 Mathematics (Honours) may not register for MS1002 Calculus, MS1003 Linear Algebra and MS1004 Introduction to Statistics in a repeat year. Students who wish to register for Mathematical Studies in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in Mathematical Studies in the First University Examination in Arts.

12

French: A student will not normally be allowed to select French unless s/he has attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent).

13

Studies in Music: This is available in First Arts and thereafter as a 10 credit subject in the Single Subject programme only.

14

Béaloideas: 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, as part of it should note that they cannot also register for Béaloideas in second year.

15

Greek: This is available in First Arts and thereafter only as a 10 credit subject in the Single Subject programme.

16

Groups 6 (a) and 6 (b): From second year:

  • students may combine Italian with Spanish.
  • students may not combine Italian with Celtic Civilisation or Philosophy.
  • students may not combine Geography with Celtic Civilisation, Philosophy or Spanish in second year.
17

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).

18

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).

Quotas for Subjects

All students are guaranteed their four subject choices, provided any prerequisites are met.

Second and Third Arts

No student may register for Second or Third Arts until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Arts, or the Second University Examination in Arts, as appropriate. The selection of any module is conditional on the Professor or Lecturer concerned and the College being satisfied that a student is capable of profiting by attendance thereat. Students may not select modules which involve a timetable clash.

There are three kinds of BA (Hons): Single Subject, Major Subject and Joint Subject.

BA (HONS) (Single Subject)

The BA (Hons) (Single Subject) programme involves studying two subjects at honours level in both Second and Third Arts. Students should note that there may be minimum credit requirements for entry into some postgraduate programmes. Students must check such minimum requirements with individual departments.

Entry into Second Arts requires: (i) passing First Arts, and (ii) meeting any subject entry requirements (see Table 2).

Entry into Third Arts depends on passing the Second Arts Examination overall.

In each of Second and Third Arts, modules amounting to 60 credits will be studied, with 50 credits in one subject and 10 credits in the other to make up a Single Subject Degree.

BA (HONS) (Major Subject)

The BA (Hons) (Major Subject) programme involves studying two subjects at honours level in both Second and Third Arts. Students should note that there may be minimum credit requirements for entry into some postgraduate programmes. Students must check such minimum requirements with individual departments.

Entry into Second Arts requires: (i) passing First Arts, and (ii) meeting any subject entry requirements (see Table 2).

Entry into Third Arts depends on passing the Second Arts Examination in both subjects.

In each of Second and Third Arts, modules amounting to 60 credits will be studied, with 40 credits in one subject and 20 credits in the other to make up a Major Subject Degree.

BA (HONS) (Joint Subject)

The BA (Hons) (Joint Subject) programme involves studying two subjects at honours level in both Second and Third Arts.

Entry into Second Arts requires: (i) passing First Arts, and (ii) meeting any subject entry requirements (see Table 2 below).

Entry into Third Arts depends on passing the Second Arts Examination in both subjects.

In each of Second and Third Arts, modules amounting to 60 credits will be studied, 30 credits in each of the two subjects, to make up a Joint Subject Degree.

Subject Combinations

Table 2 outlines the range of subject combinations available for the three degree pathways. Notes on selection of subjects along with individual subject entry requirements are also provided in the table.

Table 2

BA (Hons) Programme (CK101) Subject Combinations

Credits Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
50/40/30/20/10 (HI) History (GA) Gaeilge/Irish (PO) Politics, (AR) Archaeology (SC) Sociology, (FR) French (EC) Economics, (EN) English, (RG) Religions and Global Diversity (HS) Spanish, (IT) Italian, (PH) Philosophy
50/40/30/20 (HA) History of Art
40/30/20/10 (GR) Greek & Roman Civilisation (GE) German (CC) Celtic Civilisation
40/30/20 (GG) Geography
30/20/10 (AS) Asian Studies (FL) Folklore (LT) Latin (BD) Béaloideas
30/20 (MA) Mathematics, (MS) Maths Studies
30 (AM) Applied Mathematics
20/10 (PU) Portuguese (CH) Chinese Studies
10 (CS) Computer Science (SIM) Studies in Music (GK) Greek

Note:

  • Applied Mathematics: Students taking Applied Mathematics in First Arts must also take Mathematics (MA1055 Mathematics (Honours)). Applied Mathematics may not be combined with Mathematical Studies (MS1003 Linear Algebra, MS1003 Linear Algebra and MS1004 Introduction to Statistics).
  • Archaeology: Field Work is obligatory for students selecting Archaeology, subject to public safety guidelines in prevailing pandemic circumstances.
  • English: Students who wish to register for English in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in English in the First University Examination in Arts.
  • Geography: Field Work is obligatory for students selecting Geography, subject to public safety guidelines in prevailing pandemic circumstances.
  • Latin: Latin is not available at 30 credits in final year for 2023/24.
  • Mathematical Studies: Students who wish to register for Mathematical Studies in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in Mathematical Studies in the First University Examination in Arts.
  • Mathematics: This is only available with Applied Mathematics, Economics or Philosophy in Second Arts. In exceptional circumstances students may, with the permission of both Heads of Department, be allowed to combine Mathematics with another Arts subject, timetable permitting. Students who wish to register for Mathematics in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in Mathematics in the First University Examination in Arts. Students who achieve 40% will be allowed to register for Mathematical Studies in Second Arts.
  • Philosophy: Students who wish to register for Philosophy in Second Arts are strongly recommended to have achieved a minimum of 50% in Philosophy in the First University Examination in Arts.