Degrees Offered

• BA Single Honours Irish (UCAS Code: Q504)
• BA Joint Honours Archaeology and Irish (UCAS Code: VQ45)
• BA Joint Honours English and Irish (UCAS Code: QQ53)
• BA Joint Honours French and Irish (UCAS Code: QR51)
• BA Joint Honours History and Irish (UCAS Code QV51)
• BA Joint Honours International Studies and Irish (UCAS Code: LQF5)
• BA Joint Honours Irish and Politics (UCAS Code: QL52)
• BA Joint Honours Irish and Social Anthropology (UCAS Code: QL56)
• BA Joint Honours Irish and Spanish (UCAS Code: QR54)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Professor Gregory Toner
Irish and Celtic Studies
School of Modern Languages
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3695
E: celtic@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/lla

Entrance Requirements

• A-level
  BBB including A-level Irish grade B
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Irish

BA Joint Requirements
For BA Joint Honours the requirements are stated separately under each programme.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

The Irish language continues to form an integral part of Irish cultural life as a medium for education, music, literature, drama and television. The language has been spoken for over 2,000 years and boasts a vast early literature of world significance. The emphasis at Queen's is on Modern Irish language and literature as essential elements of contemporary Irish culture and society. Insight into the country's earlier heritage is developed through the study of mythology, poetry and saga.

Course Content

Level 1
At Level 1, the two language modules are concerned exclusively with core oral and written language skills. Learning is enhanced by small-group teaching and computer-assisted language learning methods. Literary skills are developed in the module 'Modern Irish Literature', which focuses, in particular, on prose writing (short stories, novelettes and autobiography). Students are exposed to a wide range of contemporary authors with particular emphasis on texts in Ulster Irish. The fourth module at Level 1 explores the surviving remains of Celtic mythology and religious belief in Ireland and the Continent.

Compulsory
Irish Language 1
Irish Language 2

Optional
Celtic Mythology
Modern Irish Literature

Levels 2 and 3
The language modules at Levels 2 and 3 not only build on the language skills acquired at Level 1, but also contain a literary strand examining contemporary poetry, the short story and the novel. The other modules at Levels 2 and 3 cover a wide variety of topics including folklore, early Irish sagas, and Irish dialects. Students also have the opportunity to learn some Scottish Gaelic, a language and tradition closely related to Irish.

Compulsory
Irish Language and Literature 3
Irish Language and Literature 4
Irish Language and Literature 5
Irish Language and Literature 6

Optional
Early Irish Myths and Sagas
Irish Folklore
Language and Literature in Late Medieval Ireland and Scotland
Middle Irish
Old Irish
Scottish Gaelic Language
The Irish Language in Contemporary Ireland
Ulster Poetry 1650-1850
Varieties of Irish

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable our students to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BA in French and Irish we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. The School of Modern Languages is the smallest School in the University and because of this we foster a supportive learning environment in which we get to know each of our students individually. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Seminars/tutorials:  Almost all of the teaching in Modern Languages is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) in English, French and Irish.  These provide significant opportunities for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students in Modern Languages will typically attend two different types of seminars – one type focuses on written language skills (involving intensive work on developing linguistic competence, vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, comprehension and translation skills, essay-writing skills etc.), the other type is devoted to studying topics relating to the culture, literature, cinema, art, society, history or linguistics of the language studied. Students should expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Oral classes:  where you will have opportunities to develop oral skills and apply grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 6-12 students) and are facilitated by native speakers.

• Lectures: are normally delivered in larger groups of approximately 40 students. They introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments. Only a few of our modules are delivered in this way.

• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  computer-based grammar learning packages in the Language Centre; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes in project- based work and for presentations etc.

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Year Abroad/Gaeltacht Residence Course:  This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which you can study at university, work as an English-Language Teacher, or undertake a paid work placement etc. in a French-speaking country. This feature of our degree programme gives you the opportunity for personal and professional development, further develops communication and language skills, and the experience of living abroad is important for developing intercultural awareness. Students also spend a total of six weeks at the beginning of levels 2 and 3 on a residence course in Rinn na Feirste in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Here students engage with the spoken language in its native environment while staying in accommodation with a host family. Intensive, structured tuition is provided by qualified native Irish speakers during the course. In addition to the benefits for oral competence in Irish, the residence course provides a unique opportunity for immersion in Gaeltacht culture and establishes a tremendous esprit de corps among students.

• Personal Tutor:  You are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with you on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.  This gives you one identified contact to discuss any difficulties you might encounter and who can answer any queries you might have.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. In level 1 language classes, you are assessed through a variety of language tasks (such as translation into English, translation into French and Irish, comprehension, writing summaries etc.), in-class tests, language exams, and oral exams.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work 

Careers

Studying for a degree in French and Irish at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.

The First Destination Survey showed that none of our language graduates were unemployed six months after graduating in 2010. A Higher Education Funding Council report for 2008 also showed that 3.5 years after graduation, languages students have the fourth highest mean salary (after graduates in Medicine, Pharmacy and Architecture).

Students graduating from French and Irish in Queen’s have pursued careers in a wide range of sectors, including teaching and education, academic research, translation at home and in the EU, broadcasting and the media, civil service, community development.

The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links

Consultations

We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, in Irish, the BBC, Irish Language Broadcast Fund and other media companies who participated in the course design for the MA in Irish Film and Script Production. An Gúm and Foras na Gaeilge, and other schools and community groups in Belfast provide opportunities for placements for students.  In French, employers such as Santander and the British Council, as well as Rolls Royce, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Ulster Carpets’ Export Marketing division have provided placements for our students.

Graduate Careers and Achievements

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many eminent figures; for example:

Irish:

• Ferdia Mac an Fhailigh, Chief Executive, Foras na Gaeilge
• Méabh Ní Mhuirí, Presenter, BBC Radio Ulster
• Seán Ó Maoilsté, Founder, Cult Úr

French:

• Kathy Clugston, Radio 4 presenter
• Edward Hughes, Professor of French, Queen Mary University of London
• Siobhan Lavery, Senior Sales executive, U105 radio station

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.ukfor further information concerning the types of jobs that attract languages Graduates.

Further study is also an option pursued by French and Irish graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics as shown on the School website.  

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plusinitiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Summer School: students receive intensive language teaching in each year and attend a staff-led summer school in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

Support: staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme, and a structured feedback framework, helping Level 1 students integrate into university life.