UCC Undergraduate courses

Arts (International)

Course Fact File
CodeCK108
Duration4 Years
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsBA (Hons)
NFQ LevelLevel 8
FeesEU/EEA/Swiss State Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.
CAO Points2023: 400
CAO Points Range2023: 400-625

Course Outline

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.

Modules

  • Year 1 Modules: Students select four subjects* in Year 1 from the following, selecting no more than one from each group:
Group Subjects
Group 1 Asian StudiesComputer ScienceHistoryPortuguese
Group 2a* History of Art
Group 2b* Applied Mathematics***; European StudiesFolkloreGaeilge/IrishGreek & Roman Civilisation
Group 3 ArchaeologyChinese StudiesGermanLatinMathematics***; Mathematical StudiesPolitics
Group 4 FrenchSociologyStudies in Music
Group 5 EconomicsEnglishGreekBéaloideasReligions & Global Diversity
Group 6a** GeographyItalian
Group 6b** Celtic CivilisationPhilosophySpanish

*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.

*** Please note that these subjects will not be available as a subject option to first-year students from September 2025 onwards.

  • Year 2 Modules: 60 credits in total, including LL2108 as a 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.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours: Lectures are scheduled Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Each student’s timetable will differ depending on the subjects selected. In First Arts, each subject has 3-4 lectures per week. plus a one-hour tutorial. Language subjects will have additional weekly language laboratories. Even though you only take two subjects after Year 1, the workload is broadly similar. Each 5-credit module has approximately 24 one-hour lectures plus additional language laboratories for languages. Students take 60 credits-worth of modules each year.

Field trips: Archaeology and Geography also require you to attend field trips.

Study abroad: In Year 3 you will choose your university abroad in consultation with the programme coordinator. Costs e.g. flights, accommodation, transport etc. will be covered by the students. Students studying in Europe receive an Erasmus grant regardless of whether they study a language or not. The Erasmus grant is not means-tested. Students studying outside of Europe can apply for an International Scholarship from the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences in UCC. 

Why Choose This Course

... Studying Politics at UCC was a chance to establish my understanding of the foundations of International Relations, global institutions and current policy challenges.

Niamh Sheehan, Graduate, Political Assistant at the Council of the European Union

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I cannot emphasise enough how enriching, rewarding and enjoyable my year spent in San Diego was...

Aoife O'Leary MacNeice, UCC Graduate, & University of California

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I decided to do Arts International at UCC because of my strong interest in studying Mandarin. I am currently in my final year of the course, studying Chinese and Economics

Jacqueline Walsh, Quercus Scholar

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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 here.

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.

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:

EnglishIrishOther Language
O6/H7 O6/H7 O6/H7
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest, and prospective students must also apply for and sit the Mature Student Evaluation (MSE) test.

Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages. 

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.

Fees and Costs

  • Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
  • The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
  • See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
  • Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
  • Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.

How To Apply

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO. 

Mature Applicants 

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.

QQI/FET Applicants 

Apply via the CAOSee our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process. 

Non-EU Applicants 

If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information. 

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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