Studying folklore involves the exploration of traditional popular culture, in the past and in the present. It is primarily concerned with the history and culture of ordinary people, and with the evolution and role of tradition at a vernacular level. As an academic discipline, Folklore (or ethnology) involves the exploration of oral literature, social tradition, material culture, popular belief and practice, as well as traditional music and song.

It explores the dynamics of communal memory and of culture as a collective phenomenon. It looks at the nature of popular tradition and the way in which such tradition is transmitted, usually outside of official channels and often across vast distances of time and space.

Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that examines the variety and diversity of Irish history, society, cultural practice and the complex processes through which Ireland and Irish identities have been constructed.

This course is for you if you have an interest in the Irish language and you would like to develop your skills in speaking and communication and also learn more about the literature and history of the Irish people.

All lectures are conducted through Irish. You will study amongst other topics, the language, literature, oral tradition, and film - spanning a period from Fionn and the Fianna to TG4. 

Italian accepts both beginners and non-beginners. Indeed, most of our students are beginners, so if you are thinking of stretching yourself with a new language you’ll be in good company! We strongly encourage our students to spend a year abroad as part of their degree. Studying abroad is a valuable experience, which enables you to perfect your language skills and immerse yourself in a different culture.

Alternatively, if you wish to study more than one language, with a year abroad consider. you will have the option to spend a year studying in Italy, one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries. At UCD you will be immersed in Italian culture, from Dante to contemporary Italian writers. 

As so much of European culture looks back to Classical Antiquity, studying Classics will give you insights not just into the ancient past but also into the ideas and texts that shaped the present. Three subjects are offered within the BA degree, which you can take separately or combine:

• Greek & Roman Civilisation
• Latin
• Greek

Greek & Roman Civilisation explores the Classical World, through history, literature, art, archaeology, mythology and philosophy. You do not need any previous knowledge of the subject, nor will you have to learn the ancient languages.

Language is something we take for granted but it is one of the most important skills we possess as human beings. It is hard to imagine any activity that does not involve language in some way. This makes linguistics (the scientific study of language) one of the most intriguing and interesting subjects.

Mathematics has long played a central role in our quest to fully describe and understand the natural world. Nowadays, it is also a vital tool in many of the social sciences. Those who concentrate on this subject will gain an understanding of mathematical concepts and learn how to prove key facts and solve problems using deductive reasoning.

Some first year modules build on the foundations laid at Leaving Certificate or equivalent, while others will introduce exciting new aspects of the subject. It is not assumed that you will have met everything before and each topic is carefully introduced and built upon

Music is a universal form of expression, one that captures our imagination in countless ways. In UCD, we equip students with the skills necessary to understand a wide variety of musical practices. Study music in UCD if you love performing, listening to, and talking about music.

Develop your musicianship through both theory and performance. Deepen your knowledge of musical history and cultures. Analyse the important role music plays in contemporary life. Learn how to research and write about specific musical genres and topics. 

Philosophy is essentially about dialogue and discussion, about giving reasons and examples, about counter-arguments and counter-examples. We read the work of great philosophers, but we also challenge their arguments and conclusions. Although all the modules are based on lectures, many of these are highly interactive. In addition, philosophy is rare in the university for offering small-group tutorials for all of its modules.

Portuguese is a global language, spoken across four continents by more than 250 million people. Studying Portuguese offers valuable career opportunities in many areas of business and society both in Ireland and abroad. During your degree at UCD, you will delve into the language and the cultural diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world. You will also enhance your critical thinking, intercultural understanding and communication skills.

If you are interested in people, you will be interested in sociology. It is relevant for understanding almost every aspect of our lives. We are all part of society, we are connected with each other and we are affected by the people around us. In the same way, we shape the social context for others as well. Sociology provides you with the mindset and the research tools to observe the social world, make connections, understand differences, norms, cultures or inequalities.

Spanish is a truly global language, spoken by more than 400 million people around the world. Taught through interactive language classes, Spanish is not only accessible in the initial stages of learning, it is also richly rewarding for those interested in the more advanced subtleties of linguistic study.

In tandem with learning to communicate effectively in Spanish, a combination of lectures, tutorials and group work enables you to pursue your own readings of and reflections upon works by major authors. This will deepen your knowledge of Hispanic culture, as well as sharpening your critical faculties.

If you are interested in studying Statistics with an Arts and Humanities or Social Science subject, then this degree could be for you.

Statistics is the science of transforming data into knowledge and understanding, providing a principled approach to making data-informed decisions. Statistical methods enable us to gain insights from data, and with the advent of powerful computing technology, these methods have become widely used in many sectors. 

DCU’s BA in Journalism is a top degree in Ireland designed to equip you with practical skills in reporting and writing for different media as well as providing you with essential knowledge in politics, law, ethics, society and culture. This degree will really appeal to you if you have an enquiring mind because the world needs journalists to analyse, examine and reveal how things work and what the future holds for people.

Journalism is the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines or news websites, or preparing news for broadcast. This four-year course offers you the opportunity to learn all of the skills you need to work in the media – whether in TV or radio broadcasting, creating content and news online, or producing content for newspapers, magazines or social media platforms.

This one-year course in Journalism, Digital Media, and Public Relations equips students with the essential skills required to thrive as modern media professionals. The program blends core theoretical concepts with practical training across various media formats, teaching students how to craft and deliver compelling stories for a digital age. By exploring the use of multi-platform technology to engage diverse public audiences, learners develop a deep understanding of how to navigate the evolving news landscape while mastering the communication strategies vital for both journalism and public relations careers.

This practical journalism course focuses on developing multimedia skills to prepare students to work across all platforms: social, mobile, broadcast, digital and print journalism.

You will be trained to become a skilled digital content creator who can demonstrate essential skills and use of new technologies for the fast-moving 21st century media workplace. These includes smartphone photography and video journalism and the use of Adobe CC software for digital page production, social media campaigns and digital editing (sound and video). 

Journalism is an important, exciting and dynamic field. It tells us about ourselves. The platforms through which we tell our stories are evolving, and in UL we offer students a chance to engage with and deliver stories across all digital and social media platforms. We help develop real-world practical and critical thinking skills in students so that their journalism is informed by a balanced sense of justice, accuracy and life-experience. 

Students of the BA in Journalism and New Media learn core practical journalism skills and, through the study of two specialised subjects, develop their capacities to engage critically with society and the structures of power that operate within it.

This one-year course will develop journalism industry skills for use in a multi-platform environment. Students will learn various ways of storytelling including podcasting, radio, video, print, and online publication. Students on this course will be prepared for a career in multi-media journalism, learning key skills such as research, content creation and podcast production.

Podcasting is a powerful tool for adult learners, especially in the field of journalism. It offers flexibility, allowing learners to engage with content at their own pace and time. For those interested in journalism, podcasts provide real-world examples of storytelling, interviews, and news reporting. Podcasts also create opportunities for discussions on current events, media literacy, and critical thinking. Furthermore, adult learners can experiment with creating their own podcasts, enhancing skills like research, interviewing, and audio editing. This handson experience deepens their connection to the journalistic process, offering an interactive approach to learning.