This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Higher Diploma in Irish Folklore should provide students with the requisite skills, knowledge and experience to enable them to formulate and complete their own research projects in the field of folklore studies. It is possible to complete the Higher Diploma over 2 years on a part-time basis.
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.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL20010 | The Study of Folklore: Origins and Development | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL20030 | The Narrative Art | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL30030 | The Life Cycle | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL40020 | Seminars and Dissertation 1 | Autumn | 15 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL20090 | Folklife & Ethnology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: Core Modules |
IRFL30070 | Seminars and Dissertation 2 | Spring | 15 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Select Two Modules |
IRFL30090 | Collectors of Song and Music | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Select Two Modules |
IRFL20050 | Healers and Healing | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Select Two Modules |
IRFL20100 | Oral history and tradition | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Select Two Modules |
IRFL30020 | Calendar Custom | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Select Two Modules |
IRFL30100 | Popular religion and belief | Spring | 5 |
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.
Irish Folklore offers a number of scholarships for graduate students in the subject, including the Máire Mac Neill Scholarship, the Onfel and Isobel Thomas Scholarship (for students wishing to incorporate a course of study at a Scandinavian university as part of their MA studies), and the Dónall Ó Móráin Bursary (for students wishing to pursue their studies on an aspect of Folklore pertaining specifically to the Irish language). For further information please see http://www.ucd.ie/icsf/en/study/scholarshipsawards/ .
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
In the normal course, entry requirements will consist of an undergraduate degree at honours level (NFQ Level 8) in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences. The School may also consider applicants with equivalent qualifications/professional experience.
Applicants are required to submit original academic transcripts.
Applicants are also required to submit two references, preferably both relating to academic performance.
For applicants with equivalent professional qualifications, applicants will be required to submit a focussed statement of 500 words stating why this particular programme is right for the candidate at this point in their career (to be part of the online application).
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of their language proficiency. Applicants will have reached an overall 7 in IELTS with no individual band lower than 6.5, or equivalent. The School is willing to consider applicants who achieve IELTS 6.5 if they attend a five-week pre-sessional language course offered by the UCD Applied Language Centre.
A basic reading knowledge of the Irish language is recommended for Graduate Diploma students. This can be acquired concurrently with the student’s Graduate Diploma studies.
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
The programme is designed for students and scholars without any previous background in general folkloristics or comparative ethnology, with the aim of providing them with a broad knowledge of the essentials of these subjects. The course is suitable as a conversion course which could provide a pathway to higher degrees in Irish Folklore.
You will need:
A primary degree at third level and a complete transcript of academic history including grades for each subject taken.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Higher Diploma in Irish Folklore:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z257 Higher Diploma in Irish Folklore Higher Diploma Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |