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Information & Communication Studies  (ICJ5)

BA (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Information and Communication Studies
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Claire McGuinness
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 25
Stage 3: 25
Stage 4: 25

Curricular information is subject to change.

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:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Project management
  • Creativity
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness
  • Life-long learning


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • 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 2

Students must select at least five level 2 option modules in stage 2.

Stage 3

Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. You should note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.

Stage 4

Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. You should note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.

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 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20140 Exploring Text with Python Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20150 Critical Research Skills Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20160 Theories of Media and Communication Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20180 Fandoms and Subcultures Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20200 Media Industries Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20030 Contextual Design Inquiry in Organisations Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20120 Computer-Mediated Communication Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20130 Social Studies of ICTs Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20170 Critical Data Studies Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules
 IS20210 Media, Politics and Society Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30020 Web Publishing Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30050 Information Architecture: Designing the Web Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30460 Gender and diversity in the digital age Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30510 Deep Tech: Futures of Information Technology Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30370 Digital Media Ethics (formerly Information Ethics) Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30380 Digital Storytelling Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30450 AI, Ethics and Society Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30470 Technology and Human Rights Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30500 Digital Media & Climate Crisis Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30020 Web Publishing Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30050 Information Architecture: Designing the Web Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30460 Gender and diversity in the digital age Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30510 Deep Tech: Futures of Information Technology Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30370 Digital Media Ethics (formerly Information Ethics) Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30380 Digital Storytelling Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30450 AI, Ethics and Society Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30470 Technology and Human Rights Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 25CR:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits from the option list below. Please note that there are 5 and 10 credit modules available.
 IS30500 Digital Media & Climate Crisis Spring  10

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
Stage 2 - 30.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS027 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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