Bachelor of Arts Course content
Key information
Pathways
In year 1, you choose four subjects from the groups below, selecting no more than one subject in each group. You will study these subjects for the whole of your first year. When choosing your year 1 subjects, it is essential to have a least two subjects from two different year 2 subject groups as subjects within the same group cannot be studied together. It is important to bear in mind that places in Psychology are limited from year 2.
| Group 1 | Psychology OR German OR Geography |
|---|---|
| Group 2 | English |
| Group 3 | Digital Culture and Communications |
| Group 4 | Gaeilge OR Economics |
| Group 5 | French |
| Group 6 | Linguistics with TESOL† OR Mathematics |
| Group 7 | Sociology~ |
| Group 8 | Politics and International Relations OR Japanese |
| Group 9 | Public Administration and Leadership OR Spanish |
| Group 10 | History OR Music and Dance |
Notes
French, German, Japanese and Spanish are available at both beginner and post-Leaving Certificate level. Gaeilge is only available at advanced/post leaving certificate level.
Places in Psychology are not limited in the first year, but there are only 30 places available for years 2-4. Those places are allocated on a competitive basis based on semester 1 grades.
Towards the end of first year, you will select two subjects to continue with and specialise in to degree level (years 2-4). Note – A limited number of subjects are available as Single Honours – this is where you will study one subject for the remainder of the degree. See the end of the table for subjects available as Single Honours. The table below displays the groups from years 2-4. Your selection is based on your year 1 subjects and you cannot choose two subjects from the same group. The table at the end of this section illustrates all the combinations available to degree level.
| Group 1 | Psychology^ OR German OR Geography |
|---|---|
| Group 2 | Politics and International Relations OR English OR Japanese |
| Group 3 | Digital Culture and Communications OR Gaeilge OR Economics |
| Group 4 | Public Administration and Leadership OR Spanish |
| Group 5 | Sociology~ OR Linguistics with TESOL† OR Mathematics |
| Group 6 | History OR French OR Music and Dance |
~ Subject available as Single Honours to degree level
^ Places on Psychology are limited after year 1
† Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Popular subject combinations chosen by LM002 students include:
- English & History
- English & Sociology
- Psychology & Sociology
- History & Politics & International Relations
- Digital Culture & Communications & Sociology
- Digital Culture & Communications & English
- English & Geography
- Economics & Politics & International Relations
- Geography & History
- Politics & International Relations & Public Administration & Leadership
The table below shows the full list of subject combinations you can choose from years 2 to four of your degree.
| Subject | Available with | Not available with |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Culture and Communications | English, French, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Gaeilge, Economics |
| Economics | English, French, Geography, German, History, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Gaeilge, Digital Culture and Communications |
| English | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Politics and International Relations, Japanese |
| French | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, Gaeilge, Geography, German, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with History, Music and Dance |
| Gaeilge | English, French, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration and Leadership, Psychology^, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Economics, Digital Culture and Communications |
| Geography | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Psychology, German |
| German | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Music and Dance, Mathematics, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Geography, Psychology |
| History | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, Gaeilge, Geography, German, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with French, Music and Dance |
| Japanese | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with English, Politics and International Relations |
| Linguistics with TESOL† | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Spanish | Not available with Mathematics, Sociology |
| Mathematics | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Spanish | Not available with Linguistics with TESOL†, Sociology |
| Music and Dance | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, Gaeilge, Geography, German, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with History, French |
| Politics and International Relations | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with English, Japanese |
| Psychology^ | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration and Leadership, Sociology~, Spanish | Not available with Geography, German |
| Public Administration and Leadership | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Sociology~ | Not available with Spanish |
| Sociology~ | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Public Administration and Leadership, Spanish | Not available with Linguistics with TESOL, Mathematics |
| Spanish | Digital Culture and Communications, Economics, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Linguistics with TESOL†, Mathematics, Music and Dance, Politics and International Relations, Psychology^, Sociology~ | Not available with Public Administration and Leadership |
^ : Places in Psychology are limited after Year 1
† : TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
~ : Sociology is available as Single Honours to degree level
Off-Campus programme
In semesters 4 and 5 (year 2 Spring and year 3 Autumn) you will participate in an off-campus programme. Semester 4 is dedicated to a period of cooperative education/work experience. Semester 5 is spent on study abroad in one of our many partner institutions across Europe, the Americas, and Australasia. UL's dedicated Coop and Careers Office will help you find you the work placement that best suits your course of study and your aspirations, while UL Global will find you a place at one of our partner institutions most suited to your course of study in a part of the world that appeals to your intellectual and cultural curiosity.
Final Year Project
In your final year, you will complete a Final Year Project in the subject(s) of your choosing. This is a unique opportunity to complete an extended piece of research and analysis in your chosen topic, designed with guidance and direction from an academic supervisor in your chosen subject. The Final Year Project will develop your research and analytical skills with a view to employment or further study.
Frequently asked questions
How many subjects do I pick?
In the first year, you select a total of four subjects from the groups (1-10), selecting no more than one subject from each group.
When choosing your year 1 subjects, it is essential to have at least two subjects from the different year 2 subject groups bearing in mind places in Psychology are limited from year 2.
When do I choose my subjects?
You will be given information on all subjects prior to your enrolment with University. You will then choose your 4 subjects prior to beginning your first Semester.
How many subjects do I continue to study from year 2?
There are two options available:
Joint Honours – You continue with two subjects from year 2 to 4. This subject combination is available for all subjects but please refer to the subject combination table to see which subject combinations are possible.
Single Honours – You can choose continue with one subject from year 2 to 4. Single Honours is available only for Sociology.
When do I select my subjects for year 2?
You will select the subjects that you will continue with to degree level during weeks 6 and 7 of the second (spring) Semester of Year 1
What does Single Honours mean?
Single Honours means that you specialise in 1 subject from the second year onwards. This means you will study four modules in that one subject each semester. Sociology is the only subject to offer this option. All other subjects are only available in combination with other subjects.
What does Joint Honours mean?
Joint Honours means that you will specialise in 2 subjects. This means you will study your 2 chosen subjects in equal amounts: 2 modules per subject each semester.
Can I take a new subject from year 2?
No. You pick the subjects to continue based on your selection in year 1.
What are broadening modules?
Broadening modules allow you take a module which is not a core component of your subject choice. For example, you could choose to study a module on Violence in Society, Contemporary Moral Issues or Beginners Japanese.
What are skills-based modules?
Skills modules are provided in this programme to give you the skills you will need for University. For example, you will take a module on Preparation for Academic Success in your first semester of year 1.
Do I have to go on Erasmus/Study Abroad?
Yes. This is a compulsory element of the programme. The UL Global office will assist you with your study placement.
Do I have to go on Cooperative Education?
Yes. This is a compulsory element of the programme. The Cooperative Education and Careers Division will assist you with your work placement.
