Bachelor of Arts in International Insurance and European Studies

General Information

This is a unique programme in Ireland in that it combines an in-depth knowledge of an important element of the financial services industry with a European Studies element. International Insurance and European studies is a truly interdisciplinary degree. The student is afforded the opportunity to develop skills in the areas insurance/risk management. At the same time, students will achieve a high level of proficiency in a European language and an understanding of sociocultural make-up of a European country.

The insurance industry in Ireland accounts for almost 9% of GDP in Ireland and employs tens of thousands of people in the various parts of the industry.The international insurance sector is increasingly important and today Ireland is a key provider of insurance services within the European Single Market.

Course Structure

The programme is of four year’s duration. During the whole of this period students study a modern European language chosen from the range on offer. Students are introduced to risk management in the first semester of the first year. At this stage they also begin their legal and management studies.They will be required to choose either sociology, politics or history as an European studies elective.This will be studied for the duration of the degree. In the second semester, consideration is given to the role of life insurance and students continue their studies of management, law and their chosen elective.

In the first semester of the second year students bring together the idea of risk and insurance and are introduced to the law of European institutions, accounting and information management. In the second semester, students are required to complete a work placement in a risk management context to obtain the practical experience that will be used to underline the theory they will learn in the forthcoming years.

In the first semester of the third year students are required to study risk management at a third level institution outside Ireland.Arrangements have been made for students to study under the Socrates scheme in countries such as Belgium,The Netherlands, Finland, France, Spain and Germany.These studies provide students with an international perspective and are an essential part of the degree.

In the final half of the third year students return to the University of Limerick and continue to study insurance law and claims, life insurance, underwriting, marketing and their European studies elective.

In the final year the first semester consists of the study of insurance organisations, law of tort and businesses information systems. In the final semester, the international nature of insurance is explored further in the international insurance course as well as the reinsurance / ART modules.

During the final two years, students are required to complete a project that is risk or insurance related.This allows a student to select a subject that interests them which can be explored from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Entry Requirements

Basic entry requirements:Applicants are required at the time of enrolment to hold the Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two Higher Level subjects and a Grade D3 in four Ordinary or Higher level subjects (including English, Mathematics, and Irish or another language).

Additional Language Requirements

Applicants are required to hold at least the following in the Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent): Grade C3 in Higher Level French or German or Spanish. For Students taking the two-language option with Irish / Gaeilge, a Grade C3 in Higher Level Gaeilge is required. For Students taking Beginners’ Spanish in this programme, a C3 at Higher Level in a language other than English is required.

We welcome applications from Mature Students. Application forms for mature students are available the UL Admissions Office.

Career Prospects

There is a strong demand for students qualified in the area of risk and insurance. Excellent opportunities exist within the insurance industry and the wider financial services sector. On completion of the degree students will have gained seven exemptions from the ten examinations for the Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, an internationally recognised professional body.