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History - BA Arts  (HSC1)

BA (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of History
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Fionnuala Walsh
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 10

Curricular information is subject to change.

History is the pursuit of how we got here and the stories that we tell ourselves to explain the past. We explore histories of race, class, gender, migration, capital, medicine, violence, religion and environment within the dynamics of an ever-changing world. Working from ordinary to extraordinary, local to global, fact to fiction you will develop critical thinking, argument and analysis skills that lie at the heart of careers in media, government, culture and education.

Stage 1 of the History syllabus is designed to introduce you to the study of history at university level. The choice widens in Stages 2 and 3 where there are more than 40 modules on offer. Visiting Professors of American history are attached to the UCD School of History & Archives, offering specialist modules. The UCD School of History often gets enquiries from students who may not have had the chance to take History as a Leaving Certificate subject. If you enjoy reading, your overall examination performance in English, for example will offer a fair guide to your aptitude and you are most welcome to take History in UCD. History has proved particularly popular among students who have made careers in the media or in the civil service ranging from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the EU.


UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Networking
  • Project management
  • Creativity
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness
  • Life-long learning


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
  • Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Language skills e.g. Chinese and Spanish via UCD Centre for English & Global Languages
  • Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills


Stage 1

Students may progress to Stage 2 having passed HIS10390 Creating History and at least one other History Level 1 module.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
HIS10390 Creating History Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10070 The Making of Modern Europe: 1500-2000 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10080 Rome to Renaissance Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10450 Radicals and Revolutionaries Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10310 Ireland's English Centuries Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10320 The Making of Modern Ireland, 1800-2000 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Choose at least one option module from the list below.
Students may choose additional Spring trimester option modules in place of electives if they wish.
HIS10440 The United States, 1776-1991 Spring  5