Modern Irish Culture Studies at University of Galway is designed for any student with a strong interest in modern and contemporary Irish culture, particularly those whose preferred subjects at Leaving Certificate level include Irish, History, English or Music.

Offered by the Centre for Irish Studies, a designated centre for excellence at University of Galway, Modern Irish Culture Studies (Literature and Music) explore Irish identities and key aspects of the Irish experience through the study of literature and music in their historical and contemporary settings.

The course offers a wide variety of choice from performance, to computer programming, ancient traditions to contemporary experience, from high art to heavy metal. Performance, composition, music history (musicology) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme. Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir, Maynooth University Orchestra and Traditional Music Ensemble.

Our Arts-Music (Honours) degree allows you to combine the study of two subjects – Music and an Arts subject of your choice from the many Arts options on offer in UCC. Studying music at UCC allows you to explore both the theory and practice of music. Not only will you come away with a comprehensive understanding of the role that music plays in society you will have the opportunity to create music, through solo and ensemble performances.

The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick has become a world leader in the study of these phenomena, situating music and dance in the centre of a number of critical approaches and disciplines in the study of culture and society. This subject is designed to develop your academic and vocational skills. The main thrust of this subject in this context is the academic study of various music and dance practices. You will also engage in vocational studies directly relevant to music and dance. For example, you will have the opportunity to record CDs and videos, use digital media, write business plans, plan tours and organise performances. You will also engage in specific academic studies in traditional music and dance, popular music and dance, histories of western music and dance, ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology, music and dance education and music and dance psychology. You will also have the opportunity to engage with the wider cultural, social and historical context of this island through a number of modules in Irish cultural studies.

Studying Music Technology is opportunity to combine Music Technology with Music, Computer Science and a wide range of other disciplines. You gain hands-on experience of the practical skills involved in music technology while learning about essential concepts.

Philosophy at Maynooth Philosophy explores approaches to questions both historically and systematically. Thinking philosophically requires knowledge of what those who have come before us have thought; but it also requires the ability to evaluate these positions critically. 

Philosophy is concerned with central questions concerning the nature of morality, society, politics, art, religion and science. It asks quetions about the nature of reality, the limits of knowledge, and ethics. The aim of course in philosophy is to allow students to develop the ability to reason lucidly, express views clearly and support claims coherently. You are introduced to the ideas of the ancient and modern philosophers who have helped to shape western culture.

As part of an Arts degree, this subject is one of three subjects you choose in first year. In second and third year you continue with two of the subjects taken in First Arts. It may be possible to take an extra year studying abroad.

Philosophy at UCC has particular strengths in moral and political philosophy, as well as in philosophy of mind, body and action.

Its greatest strength, however, is its commitment to pluralism and interdisciplinarity, which combines these fields with research and teaching in Aesthetics; Comparative Continental European and Asian Philosophy;  Philosophy of Science;  Philosophy of Economics; and Metaphysics and Epistemology.  

In this course you will explore Irish and international politics, including a focus on Europe, and Latin America. You will also have an opportunity to carry out research into political life, developing analytical, communication and presentation skills.

Politics is built around three pillars with contributions from the Department of Government, the School of History, and the Department of Philosophy.

Over the course of the degree, you can participate in field trips to Irish and international political institutions, contribute to national policy analysis by making submissions to policy reviews, publish your work in the student online journal Government and Politics Review and attend and speak at a wide range of conferences organised by staff across the course. 

As well as gaining a thorough understanding of Irish and EU politics, students in this degree will learn about the wider international system, and will have the opportunity to study the politics of different regions of the world. The deeper philosophical questions about how societies and governments should be organised are also addressed. In the final year, students have the opportunity to specialise in areas of politics that they are particularly interested in.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) makes available to you a wide range of Humanities and Social Science subjects in a course that is comparable to Arts degrees nationally and worldwide.

Students of the course are encouraged to see the world anew through the study of subjects such as English Literature, Sociology, Irish and other Modern European Languages, Religious Studies, Psychology and others and, over a three year period, not only to develop expertise in two subjects areas but to develop a questioning and creative approach to the modern world.

NB The individual subject option is not required on CAO application - it is chosen at college registration

Portuguese at UCC allows you to study the language and culture of Portugal and of the Portuguese-speaking world (Lusofonia) through literature, art, theatre, film, music, history and media.

This General Learning Programme aims to provide a foundation in subjects which students may wish to study at Third Level. It also introduces students to methods of study, writing skills and research skills that are required for successful participation in Third Level education. Graduates of this course may apply to any Third Level Institute. 

Psychological Studies in is a flexible degree option, ideal if you would like to learn about human behaviour in combination with another subject in the BA Arts Double Major pathway. This degree will help you develop key transferable skills and learn to think psychologically about the world around you.

Psychology is a science that seeks to better understand people - their thoughts, emotions and actions. The core elements of this course include research, design, quantitative methods, lab sessions, research projects, biological causes of behaviour, child and family psychology, psychology of personality, and social psychology.

As part of an Arts degree, this subject is one of three subjects you choose in first year. In second and third year you continue with two of the subjects taken in First Arts. It may be possible to take an extra year studying abroad.

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. Over the past century, Psychologists have examined the fascinating variety of human thought and activity and now a degree in Psychology opens up many opportunities to use this knowledge to address important social issues and improve the quality of people's lives. Psychology spans virtually all aspects of human life and allows us to seek answers to questions By defining and investigating these and other questions, psychologists aim to provide practical solutions to the many personal and social challenges that people face in their everyday lives. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills essential for a career in Psychology.  

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) makes available to you a wide range of Humanities and Social Science subjects in a course that is comparable to any Arts degree nationally and worldwide.

Students on this programme are encouraged to see the world through the study of subjects such as English Literature, Sociology, Irish, French, Spanish, Law, Religious Studies, Psychology and Theatre Studies over a three year period; not only to develop expertise in two subjects areas, but to develop a questioning and creative approach to the modern world.

NB The individual subject option is not required on CAO application - it is chosen at college registration

Studying Public Administration and Leadership at UL will open up the world of politics, public administration and civil society in Ireland and internationally. In the Public Administration and Leadership programme you will study a range of subjects. As well as core, broader introductions to politics and public administration, in your first year you will be able to choose electives from other related disciplines, all of which are designed to generate an understanding of the complexity of public leadership. As you progress through second, third and fourth years you will encounter a range of more specific subjects, both core and electives, in the areas of public policy, international development, political economy, political theory, civic engagement, social justice, European politics, local government and many others. 

This course explores a wide variety of religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and various forms of Christianity, and as well as offering students the unique opportunity to study indigenous religions, western esotericisim, new religious movements, Japanese religions, anthropology of religions, sexuality and Islam with specialists in these fields.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) makes available to you a wide range of Humanities and Social Science subjects in a course that is comparable to Arts degrees nationally and worldwide.

Students of the course are encouraged to see the world anew through the study of subjects such as English Literature, Sociology, Irish and other Modern European Languages, Religious Studies, Psychology and others and, over a three year period, not only to develop expertise in two subjects areas but to develop a questioning and creative approach to the modern world.

NB The individual subject option is not required on CAO application - it is chosen at college registration

This is an interdisciplinary degree with emphasis on both political science and sociology. Students will study aspects of political life and behaviour and explore concepts such as freedom, democracy and equality. The study of Sociology explores topics like culture, identity and diversity. 

Students studying for an arts degree take three subjects in first year, and go forward with two subjects in second and third year. There is also the possibility of an international study year abroad.