Arts - Joint Honours
This is one of Ireland’s most popular undergraduate degree programmes. A key attraction of this programme is the wide range of two-subject degree combinations 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
3 or 4 four years depending on the subjects chosen.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
French
Students wishing to take First Year French are expected to have attained a Grade H4 in French in the Leaving Certificate.
Gaeilge
Riachtanais Iontrála Ardteistiméireachta - Tá H5 sa Gaeilge riachtanach
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
For holders of the Leaving Certificate, six subjects are required, with a minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and at least Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.
An applicant may combine the results of the Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years for matriculation purposes for all programmes with the exception of Medicine (see section 1). This concession applies to matriculation only; it does not apply to the calculation of points for admission.
Acceptable Subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted for matriculation purposes, with the following exceptions:
Gaeilge–Bonnleibhéal (Irish, Foundation Level) will not be accepted for matriculation or points purposes.
Mathematics (Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level) will be accepted for matriculation purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in programmes for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement. Neither will a score be awarded for a grade in this subject.
Home Economics (General), which has been discontinued from 2004, is not an acceptable matriculation subject for admission to University of Galway. However, Leaving Certificate Home Economics–Scientific and Social is an acceptable matriculation subject for admission.
The combining of the following subjects is not permitted:
• Physics with Chemistry (joint) may not be presented with either Physics or Chemistry
• Only two of History, Economic History and Economics may be presented
• Music and Musicianship may not be presented with Music
• Agricultural Economics may not be presented with Economics
• Classical Studies may not be presented with Latin or Greek.
Laboratory Science Subjects:
The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:
• Agricultural Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics and Chemistry (joint)
• Physics.
For Engineering and Science programmes, Computer Science is a recognized Laboratory Science subject. For Engineering programmes, Technology, Engineering, Design and Communication Graphics or Construction Studies may be accepted in lieu of a Laboratory Science subject.
Bonus Points for Maths
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve grade H6 or above in Higher Level (HL) Mathematics. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total will increase from 600 to 625 (existing maximum points plus bonus points).
The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL Mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL Mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.
The maximum possible adjusted points score for applicants to Medicine will increase from 560 to 565. (For all scores over 550, each 5-point band equals one extra point.) The baseline score of 480 points will still apply but can include the bonus points if HL Mathematics (cumulative points) is among the best six subjects.
Age
Students must normally have attained the age of 17 by 15 January following entry, for example, for entry in 2024, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2008. If a student under that age seeks to enter the University, special application must be made to the President of the University.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Note: While Link Modules are acceptable for points scoring purposes, they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry/matriculation requirements. Students will have the opportunity to use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their six subjects for the purposes of calculating points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Arts graduates can be found in almost every walk of life, and BA (Joint-Honours) graduates from University of Galway occupy leading positions in commercial, social, educational and public organisations at home and abroad. The website below gives examples of careers taken up by Arts graduates and has useful advice for those seeking to take up employment on completion of their Arts degree: www.universityofgalway.ie/choose-arts.
Further Study
The University offers a wide range of taught Masters degrees and postgraduate diploma programmes of interest to Arts graduates. The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies also offers a number of structured PhD programmes. These programmes can be viewed at:
www.universityofgalway.ie/choose-postgrad/
Further information
Mature—Applying on the Grounds of Mature Years
If you are at least 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2024 and if your school leaving examination results do not meet normal matriculation and entry requirements, you may apply on the grounds of mature years. In general, applicants are selected on the basis of academic aptitude, which may include certain Leaving Certificate subjects, relevant work and life experience, and evidence of motivation and interest in the programme area. These areas should be addressed in the written application.
It is strongly advised that intending applicants consult the Mature Students Guide, prior to making an application, for information on the application process and assessment criteria. Full details are available from October 2022 in the Mature Students Guide, which can be accessed online or by emailing University of Galway.
In addition, University of Galway will host a Mature Students Information Evening on Wednesday 10 January 2024. This special information evening is designed for anyone aged 23 or over who may be considering studies at University of Galway in 2024. To attend this evening please sign up now at:
All applicants intending to apply for Medicine in 2024 on the grounds of mature years will be required to take the HPAT Test. Registration closing date for the test is 20 January 2024 and the test date is Friday 16 February–Monday 19 February. Mature applicants must also have an Honours Science subject to H4 Leaving Certificate standard prior to taking the HPAT test. Successful candidates will be invited to the MMI interview in May.
Applications must be made by 1 February through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Please note that a late application cannot be made by those applying on grounds of mature years. The applicant must ensure that copies of all relevant information—for example, certificates, transcripts and a personal statement—are included with the CAO application.
Admission on the grounds of mature years is competitive. Applicants who are successful in gaining admission on the grounds of mature years are also assessed on the basis of their school leaving qualifications (if any) in competition with other applicants.
Find out more Access Centre
e. maturestudents@universityofgalway.ie
w. universityofgalway.ie/mature
CAO w. cao.ie
HPAT Test Information w. hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au/
Further advice and guidance t. +353 91 49 2695 w. universityofgalway.ie/mature
Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours)
Average intake: 850
BA (Joint-Honours) in Law
Average Intake: 200
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
BA (Joint-Honours) in Law
Why choose this course?
• This is one of Ireland’s most popular undergraduate degree programmes. A key attraction of this programme is the wide range of two-subject degree combinations available.
• The course provides a route to multiple career opportunities.
• The BA (Joint-Honours) is a pathway toward a career in primary or secondary school teaching.
Programme Structure
You will study three subjects in First Year and then pursue two of the subjects you pass in first year to degree level. During orientation week, you will have the opportunity to learn about all the subjects that are on offer and how different subject combinations fit well together. Talks by students and lecturers on the different subjects available can be found on www.universityofgalway.ie/ondemand/ug
First Year 3 Subjects
Subject A - 20 ECTS
Subject B - 20 ECTS
Subject C - 20 ECTS
Second Year 2 Subjects + 1 Skill
Subject A - 25 ECTS
Subject B - 25 ECTS
Skills* - 10 ECTS
Third Year Optional
Optional Opportunities for Students
Study Abroad (Compulsory with some languages)
Final Year 2 Subjects
Subject A - 30 ECTS
Subject B - 30 ECTS
* Skills modules are integrated within each subject area.
Skills for Arts
Building on feedback from our students and following discussions with employers, an integrated skills curriculum has been introduced as part of BA (Joint-Honours). Skills are delivered throughout all classes offered on the programme. Our ‘skills-pillar’ is designed to enable students to think through, recognise, and articulate clearly the skills developed as part of the overall BA (Joint-Honours) experience.
Academic Workload
In each year of study, a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-semester exams is used. Students are expected to spend on average 40 hours a week between lectures, tutorials and independent study.
Study Abroad
Students can opt to spend a year studying abroad. In addition to an extensive network of Erasmus links with universities across the EU, we have study abroad opportunities in Canada and the USA, Central and South America. Some language students spend their year abroad on approved work placements as language assistants.
Students who take a language, French, German, Spanish or Italian, to degree level will transfer into the BA (International) stream and spend third year attending university in the country of the language they are studying before progressing to Final Year. Students who are not studying a language to degree level but who are interested in studying abroad in our partner universities, where modules are offered through English, will have the opportunity to apply to transfer into an International stream, but transfer places are limited and are offered on a competitive basis.
Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours)
Course Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours) Entry has subject groupings. Students of GY101, Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours), study 3 subjects in their first year, from a selection of 24 subjects. A subject belongs to one of 7 groups, and you cannot select more than one subject from a group. On progression to second year, you continue to study two of the subjects to degree level.
This is a highly flexible programme, offering you a wide range of two-subject combinations to degree level. In addition to academic rigour, you will acquire transferable skills designed to make you career-ready and equipped for employment and further study in Ireland or abroad. Over the course of your degree, you will be able to pursue and develop your interests across a broad range of subjects. The BA(Joint-Honours) will help you become a disciplined and creative thinker, capable of expressing your thoughts coherently and persuasively.
You will study three subjects in First Arts. You continue to study two of the subjects that you pass in first year to degree level - in Second and Final Arts.
For those students studying a modern language, you will study abroad in a country or region where the language is widely spoken in Year 3 before returning to a complete a fourth and final year. In this instance, you will graduate with a BA (International). You will pursue both of your degree subjects during the period abroad. Students registered for two languages are required to spend a minimum of twelve weeks in each of the countries/regions where the relevant languages are spoken. This will usually involve an academic year abroad arranged by the University in one language and a summer placement arranged by the student in the other relevant country/region.
For students studying Gaeilge as one of your subjects, you will be enrolling in a four-year programme. You will spend third year off-campus, with one semester in the Gaeltacht and the other semester on a work placement in the Irish language sector.If you decide to choose a modern continental language with Gaeilge, you will spend a single semester on an Erasmus exchange and/or applied placement overseas, in addition to a single semester in a Gaeltacht setting.
There may be some very limited places for non-language students to study abroad for an academic year in the US or on European exchanges where programmes are available through English. If students are certain that they would like to study abroad in Year 3, GY129 BA(Global Experience) has a study abroad opportunity for all students and we would recommend students consider this course.
Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours)
Course Outline
In first year you are required to select 3 subjects to study. There are 21 different subject choice available, the subjects are grouped into 7 groups, the reason they appear in groups is that you can only select one subject from a group. On progression to second year, you drop one subject and continue to study the two other subjects to degree level.
• In University of Galway we refer to the department that teaches a subject as a 'Discipline'. The details below shows the subjects, in their subject groups.
• Read a brief introduction (subject description, overview of course content and career options) to each subject available to BA (Joint-Honours) students
Subjects available on BA (Joint-Honours) GY101
Group One
• Archaeology
• French
• Mathematics and Mathematical Studies
Group Two
• Law
• Psychology
• Celtic Civilisation
• Performance and Screen Studies
Group Three
• Ancient Classics
• Geography
• German
• Léann na Cumarsáide
• Modern Irish Culture (Music and Literature)
• Global Media
Group Four
• English
• Economics
Group Five
• Sociological and Political Studies
• Information Technology
• Léann an Aistriúchán
Group Six
• History
• Spanish
Group Seven
• Gaeilge
• Italian
• Philosophy
Notes
• In First Year students select three subjects to study and can choose only one subject from any one group.
• In Second Year students progress with two of their three subjects to degree level.
• Students who opt to study a language will spend at least part of Third Year studying abroad (e.g. Erasmus) before progressing into Final Year.
• Students selecting Gaeilge as one of their subjects to degree level will spend time in the Gaeltacht during Third Year before progressing into Final Year.
• Psychology and Law have restrictions on progression to Second Arts. Please go to the subject pages for Psychology and Law for further information.
Find out more
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies
t. +353 91 493 958
e. collegearts@universityofgalway.ie
w. universityofgalway.ie/gy101