Irish and Politics

Course Structure

Stage 1	Gaeilge 1 Comparative Politics Perspectives on Politics
Stage 1 Optional Courses	Celtic Mythology Irish Folklore Introduction to Modern Irish Literature Contemporary Europe World Politics Issues in Contemporary Politics
Stage 2	Gaeilge 2 Modern Political Thought Studying Politics
Stage 2 Optional Courses	Scottish Gaelic Language Irish Poetic Tradition 1650-1850 Skills in Irish Translation Irish Film Studies Irish Writing and the Short Story Politics and Policy of the European Union The Politics of Deeply Divided Democracy, Ethics & Economics Security and Terrorism International Organisations British Politics
Stage 3	Gaeilge 3
Stage 3 Optional Courses	Modern Irish Poetry Language, Identity and the Emergence of Modern Irish Literature The Politics of Irish Literature Contemporary Political Philosophy Contemporary Critical Theory Scotland and N Ireland: Points of Political Comparison The Politics of Sustainable Development War and Visual Culture The Far Right in Western Europe and North America Ethics, Power and International Politics National and Ethnic Minorities Northern Ireland: A Case Study Political parties, representation and democracy Political Parties and Election Politics, Public Administration and Policy-Making Arms Control Asylum and Migration in Global Politics

Contact Teaching Times

Large Group Teaching	6 (hours maximum) 5-6 hours of lectures per week
Medium Group Teaching	5 (hours maximum) 4-5 hours of tutorials or small group teaching per week
Personal Study	24 (hours maximum) 22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including independent reading, language practice, vocabulary development, guided study, online activities, coursework preparation etc

• E-Learning technologies
  A wide range of information associated with modules is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. Typically, lecture notes are provided through QOL for each module along with other support material. Much of the recommended reading is available through the same environment.
• Gaeltacht Course
  Students taking a BA in Irish spend a total of six weeks on a dedicated summer course in Rinn na Feirste in Donegal. Here students engage with native speakers while staying in accommodation with a host family. Intensive, structured tuition is provided by qualified native Irish speakers during the course involving approximately 60 hours of placement learning during each 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 camaraderie among students.
• Language enrichment classes
  Intensive 2-hour language enrichment classes provide students with opportunities to develop oral skills and develop their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. These classes are taught in very small groups (typically 12-15 students). Students will also be expected to attend one class per week on language accuracy.
• Lectures
  These introduce you to basic information about new topics as a starting point for your own further private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in larger groups of approximately 25-50 students). Only a small number of our modules are delivered in this way.
• Personal Tutor
  Students are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. This gives students one identified contact with whom to discuss any difficulties they might encounter and who can answer any queries they might have.
• 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 and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Seminars/tutorials
  Almost all of the teaching in Irish is carried out in small groups (typically 15 students). These provide significant opportunity for you to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of your classmates.

• The way in which you will be assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Language modules are assessed through a variety of written tasks, class tests, a formal written examination and an oral exam at the end of the year. All other modules are assessed through a variety of forms of coursework which may include book reviews, projects, presentations, essays and language tasks. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students at the beginning of their first year.

• Formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted
• General comments or question and answer opportunities during or at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Immediate, on-the-spot feedback from your teacher during language classes
• Individual consultations addressing specific queries with lecturers during designated consultation hours.
• Online or emailed comment to specific queries.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
• Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work.

Facilities

Queen’s has a world class library and its Special Collections in the library has a targeted policy for collecting resources relating to Ireland. The Language Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for language learning.

Entrance requirements

A level requirements ABB including A-level Irish

Irish leaving certificate requirements H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Irish

Access/Foundation Course Not normally considered as Access Courses would not satisfy language requirements.

Career Prospects

Introduction
Studying on this pathway will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, particularly in a world where critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness and communication skills are at a premium.

Typical careers include local government, teacher, language development officer, translator, manager, TV presenter, producer, writer and researcher. Graduates may also enter careers in business, management consultancy and software development

88% of our graduates are in employment or further study within 6 months of graduation. Starting salaries may be in the region of £21,800.

Employment after the Course
Former graduates in Irish have gone on to work as teachers, translators, language officers, and researchers. Many have taken up employment in the media as presenters and producers. Graduates may also enter careers in business, management consultancy and software development.

Employment Links
Queen’s has strong links with a number of employers including the Department for Communities, the BBC, Irish Language Broadcast Fund and other media companies, and employers are routinely invited to address the Irish students. Many of our students work in primary and secondary schools as classroom assistants and language assistants while studying for their degree. Other opportunities to gain employment experience are provided by media companies located in the area and theatre and community groups in Belfast.

Additional Awards Gained(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI)	£4,275
England, Scotland or Wales (GB)	£9,250
Other (non-UK) EU *	£4,275
International	£16,400

Tuition fees for 2020-21 have not been set. Those quoted above are for students commencing study in 2019-20. These will be subject to an increase for students commencing study in 2020-21.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

* The tuition fees that EU students starting courses at UK universities following the agreed transition period are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations. Please refer to www.qub.ac.uk/brexit

Additional course costs

Irish and Politics costs

Joint honours Irish students are required to spend 2 periods of residence in the Gaeltacht between Years 1 and 2 and between Years 2 and 3. The trips are subsidised by the School but each student is required to pay a contribution per residency (currently £180, i.e. £360 in total). Students have to pay their travel to and from the Gaeltacht.

Students have a compulsory year abroad in year 3 of their degree. Students who undertake a period of study or work abroad are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement. Students should be aware that placement and internship modules do not normally involve payment or financial support from either Queen’s or the placement/internship provider.

Placement options include:

Erasmus Work with British Council as Teaching Assistant: Students currently receive approximately €780 net per month and an Erasmus monthly grant of approximately €300 .
A limited number of Erasmus grants are available.
Erasmus Study Placement: Students currently receive an Erasmus monthly grant of €300.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.

How and when to Apply

How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).  Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/apply.

When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2020 from 1 September 2019.

Advisory closing date: 15 January 2020 (18:00).

Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions (www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions) which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

1. Applying through UCAS
   Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2019.
2. Applying direct
   The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
3. Applying through agents and partners
   The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

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