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Irish Studies  (ISC1)

Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Aoife Whelan
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 10

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:
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness


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

In order to progress to Stage 2, Irish Studies students must have passed the two core Irish Studies modules offered in Stage 1, 'Introduction to Irish Studies' and 'Introduction to Irish Cultural Studies'.

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
 IRST10010 Introduction to Irish Studies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IRST10020 Introduction to Irish Cultural Studies Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 AH10070 Dublin: Its Museums and Collections Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 CCIV10010 Introduction to Celtic Civilization Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 CCIV10040 Vikings in the Celtic World Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 ENG10130 Contemporary Irish Writing Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 IRFL10010 Introduction to Folklore Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 SPOL10180 History of Irish Social Policy Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 IR10040 Teanga na Gaeilge I Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 IR10050 Irish for Beginners/Gaeilge do Thosaitheoirí Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 IR10210 Cultúr na hÓige Gaelaí Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 ARCH10050 Intro archaeology of Ireland Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 CCIV10020 Early Ireland: Continuity & Change Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 CCIV10030 The British Celts Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 HIS10310 Ireland's English Centuries Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 HIS10320 The Making of Modern Ireland, 1800-2000 Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students may wish to take additional option modules from the list below if their credit load allows for this or in place of a Spring elective. This list is intended as a guide only and students may progress to Stage 2 without taking any option modules from this list.
 IRFL10040 Ethnography of the Everyday Spring  5

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