Arts - Media & Cultural Studies
By choosing the Maynooth BA degree, a wide variety of interesting subjects is opened up to you. Hundreds of subject combinations are available and you don't have to make any decision on your subject choices until you have sampled as many as you wish over the first four weeks of first year.
| 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 years (4 if taking Erasmus/Study Abroad option)
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & 3rd language
(Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and a minimum of grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects. Minimum O6/H7 in Irish, English and a third language.)
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Click on the 'QQI FET Applicants Information link' below for specific course entry requirements.
QQI FET General Information Link
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation?
- Graduates emerge from Media & Cultural Studies with skills in demand in sectors including: arts, cultural & heritage; media production, sales and distribution; marketing, PR and communications; social media; NGOs and charity sector.
- Graduates also have transferable communication, problem-solving, research, project management and teamwork skills that are well-matched with wider sectors including public service, education and business.
- Postgraduate options currently include: MA in Critical and Creative Media, MA in Sociology: Internet and Society, MLitt and PhD research degrees
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
Places 2023: 1,750 (MH101)
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
MH101: THE CAO'S MOST POPULAR FIRST PREFERENCE COURSE
The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 has been among the top preference CAO courses for a number of years, receiving most first preference applications. By choosing the Maynooth BA degree, a wide variety of interesting subjects is opened up to you. Hundreds of subject combinations are available and you don't have to make any decision on your subject choices until you have sampled as many as you wish over the first four weeks of first year.
You will have the opportunity to acquire specific subject knowledge and transferable skills, such as social, analytical and management skills and the chance to emerge as a wellrounded BA graduate who is career-ready and equipped for employment and further study in Ireland or abroad.
Course Structure and Subject Groups
Course Structure
1st year: 60 Credits
Choose 2, 3 or 4 subjects - one per group - see table below (each subject is 15 credits).
Double subjects have a 30 credit option in 1st year. You can take 2 double subjects in 1st year unless they are scheduled at the same time. You should only do this if you are really sure of your subject choices.
Optional Critical Skills (15 credits) is available to take with all subject combinations.
Your options - summary
4 subjects (4 x 15 credits)
This allows you to study the greatest range of subjects and decide which you prefer
3 subjects and Critical Skills (4 x 15 credits)
This allows you to take a range of subjects and also take the Critical Skills course
A double subject and two others (1 x 30 credits and 2 x 15 credits)
This allows you to take three subjects, but to devote half of your time to one subject
A double subject, one other subject and Critical Skills (1 x 30 credits and 2 x 15 credits)
In this option you take two subjects along with the Critical Skills first year course
Two double subjects (2 x 30 credits)
In this option you take only two subjects in first year
2nd year and Final year: 60 credits per year
In most cases students progress with two subjects, choosing between:
-Double Major (30:30)
-Major with Minor (40:20)
In some cases a Single Major (normally 60 credits) option is possible.
After 1st year there may be an option to move into a specialised degree, depending on the subjects you chose in 1st year and your results.
These are the possible transfer options having completed the 1st year of the Maynooth BA Degree:
BA Finance MH401
BA Accounting and Finance MH403
Single Major BBS or BBA (Business and Management / International Business / Marketing and/or with Global Cultures) MH404
BBS/BBA Business and Accounting MH407
BBA Business and Languages MH409
BSc Economics MH415
BA International Economics MH416
LLB Single Major MH501
BCL Double Major (Law and Arts / Law and Accounting / Law and Business / Law and Criminology) MH502
BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering / BSc Multimedia, Mobile and Web Development (through Arts) MH601
Electives: In 2nd year you’ll have the opportunity to take an Elective. This is an optional 10 credit short course which helps students to expand their university education and broaden their perspective. Electives are compatible with all subjects in MH101 and many of our specialised degrees.
Erasmus or Study Abroad: BA students have the option of studying at one of Maynooth’s almost 200 partner universities after second year. Students taking this option graduate with a BA International degree after four years.
Bachelor of Arts Subject Groups - First Year
31 subjects are organised into 6 timetable groups. The subjects in a group are scheduled at the same time, so you may not choose more than one subject from any group. The following table shows the timetable groups. You can take any combination, as long as there is no timetable clash and you meet any minimum entry requirements.
Subject Groups
Group 1
Geography - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
German - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Law - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Mathematics (Pure) (Groups 1+3) - 30 credits must be taken in this subject
Philosophy
Critical Skills
Group 2
Business (International)- This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Business (Management)- This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Business (Marketing)- This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Criminology
History - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Music (extra 15)
Critical Skills
Group 3
English - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
International Development - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Mathematical Studies
Mathematics (Pure) (Groups 1+3) - 30 credits must be taken in this subject
Critical Skills
Group 4
Anthropology - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Economics
Music Technology
Nua-Ghaeilge
Critical Skills
Group 5
Computer Science - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Music - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Sociology
Spanish - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Critical Skills
Group 6
Accounting - This subject can be taken as a double (30 credits)
Chinese Studies - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
French - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Greek & Roman Civilization
Mathematical Physics
Media & Cultural Studies
Medieval Celtic Studies
Politics
Psychological Studies
Statistics
Business (extra 15)
English (extra 15)
Geography - If choosing the Geography subject in Group 6, the only subject you may choose in Group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in 2nd year)
Critical Skills
Group 7 (only relevant if taking a 30 credit option in these subjects)
Anthropology (extra 15)
Chinese Studies (extra 15)
Computer Science (extra 15)
French (extra 15)
German (extra 15)
History (extra 15)
International Development (extra 15)
Law (extra 15)
Spanish (extra 15)
Language and Culture (this subject is available for non-beginner Chinese Studies, French, German or Spanish students)
Note
1. Each subject is worth 15 credits. Subjects available as optional 'double subjects’ (30 credits) are noted above . These subjects need extra class times, normally scheduled in Groups 6 or 7.
2. Chinese Studies, French, German and Spanish require a 30 credit first year for beginners in the language (noted above). If you have studied one of these languages before (to Leaving Certificate level; H4 standard or better is recommended), you take the 15 credit option.
3. 15 credit Critical Skills can be taken in any timetable group.
4. The following subjects have minimum entry requirements that you must meet if you wish to take that subject:
> Nua-Ghaeilge: H4
> Music: H5
> Mathematics (Pure): H2
5. For the following subjects we recommend certain minimum Leaving Certificate grades:
> Accounting, Business (International), Business (Management), Business (Marketing), Economics: we recommend that students have achieved Leaving Certificate O4/H7 Mathematics to study these subjects.
> Computer Science, Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Studies, Music Technology, Statistics: we recommend that students have achieved Leaving Certificate O3/H7 Mathematics to study these subjects.
> Chinese Studies, French, German, Spanish: while there is no minimum entry requirement to study these languages at non-beginner level, we generally recommend H4 Leaving Certificate level.
6. If you are taking Statistics in 1st year you must also take Mathematical Studies or Mathematics (Pure).
Medieval & Cultural Studies (group 6 subject)
- By studying Media & Cultural Studies, you’ll get to explore the ways that film, television, social media, print media and radio shape your lived experience.
- You’ll have the opportunity to research and analyse media genres like advertising and documentary, media subcultures and fandoms, and media technologies and platforms like video streaming and TikTok.
- You’ll develop your employability and professionalism through your exploration of media and cultural industries and working lives.
- This subject is focused on critical dimensions of media and culture. To develop your skills in digital and audio-visual practice, you should apply to MH109 Media Studies.
Why choose this subject?
- To develop understanding of how media shapes our ways of being in the world
- To build knowledge of the key practices and processes of the ever growing and everchanging media and cultural industries
- To learn how to engage effectively and critically with an increasingly mediated world
Course Structure
1st year
BA Bachelor of Arts – Media & Cultural Studies – Double Major or as a Minor
- 15 credits of Media & Cultural Studies
- Choose 2 or 3 other subjects including Critical Skills from the 5 groups available (maximum 1 subject per group)
2nd year and Final year
- Media & Cultural Studies is taken with another subject in 2nd and 3rd year as part of a Double Major or as a Minor
- Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year
Erasmus/Study Abroad option after 2nd year
Possible topics
1st year
- You’ll explore media and cultural texts and narratives; learn about media and cultural industries; and examine media and cultural audiences
2nd year
- Along with modules that develop your research and analytical skills in media and cultural theories and texts, you’ll be able to select optional modules like Film, TV and Screen Studies, Media & Politics, and Media and Gender among others
Final year
- Here you’ll have the chance to learn more about media and cultural industries and work by engaging in skills-development projects, speaking with graduates and developing CVs and portfolios. You’ll also be able to select optional modules like Podcasting and 21st Century Radio, Global Cinema and Fans and Subcultures among others.
Contact us
Maynooth University Department of Media Studies, Iontas Building
+ 353 1 708 3624
media.studies@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/media-studies
Twitter/X: @MU_MediaStudies
Facebook: @mediastudiesatmu