Entry year
2022
2022
Entry requirements
ABB
ABB
Duration
3 years (Full Time)
3 years (Full Time)
UCAS code
QL52
QL52
Applications for 2021 entry are still open. View courses
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Overview
Students on the BA Irish and Politics will combine advanced learning of the Irish language with a study of Politics. You may choose from a wide range of modules in Irish such as film-making, the short story, poetry, and Gaelic identity. Politics examines areas such as conflict, co-operation, theories of society, the value and ethical basis of political ideas and action, and at politics in different national and historical contexts.
Irish and Politics Degree highlights
Modern Languages and Linguistics at QUB is 12th in the Guardian 2021 rankings.
Global Opportunities
- You will have a chance to spend up to a year studying business in the US or you can take a semester at another university in Europe.
Industry Links
- We have former students in senior positions in most Irish language sectors and we maintain good links with media production companies, the translation sector and language promotion agencies.
World Class Facilities
- Queen’s has an excellent library for Irish materials and an outstanding collection of resources relating to Ireland.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Queen’s has world-leading experts in the history of the Irish language and literature and had the highest ranked research unit including Irish and Celtic languages in the most recent Research Excellence Framework. Politics has internationally recognised experts in the politics of gender, the Middle East and the EU.
Student Experience
- Students have a unique opportunity to engage with native speakers through attendance at an annual Gaeltacht residential in Rannafast, Donegal. The course lasts 3 weeks at takes place at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2.
- Strong emphasis on Irish language and culture. Students complete 4 hours of language per week (interactive classes based on the national syllabus for Irish). Teaching on core and most optional modules is conducted through the medium of Irish.
- The Irish student society, An Cumann Gaelach, is one of the biggest in QUB. The society is extremely active and holds a range of events and activities each year (annual festival, Irish classes, concerts, annual dinner-dance, etc.)
https://www.facebook.com/ancumanngaelachqub
Brexit Advice
Information on the implications of Brexit for prospective students.
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Course content -
Course content
Course Structure
Stage 1 Compulsory Courses Gaeilge 1
Contemporary Europe
Perspectives on PoliticsStage 1 Optional Courses Irish:
Celtic Mythology
Irish Folklore
Introduction to Modern Irish Literature
Politics:
World Politics
Comparative Politics
Issues in Contemporary Politics
What is to be done? Sustainability, climate change and just energy transitions in the AnthropoceneStage 2 Compulsory Courses Gaeilge 2
Modern Political Thought
Studying PoliticsStage 2 Optional Courses Irish:
Kings and Warriors
Dúchas na Gaeilge: Skills in Irish Translation
Scannánaíocht na Gaeilge: Studies in Irish
Irish Writing and the Short Story
Scottish Gaelic
Politics:
The Northern Ireland Conflict and paths to Peace
Apocalypse! The End of the World
Politics and Policies of the EU
Politics of the Deeply Divided Societies
International Relations
British Politics in crisis?
Irish Politics
American Politics
Security & Terrorism
International Organizations
Identity Politics in Diverse SocietiesStage 3 Compulsory Course Gaeilge 3 Stage 3 Optional Courses Irish:
Modern Irish Poetry
Language, Identity and the Emergence of Modern Irish Literature
Politics:
Contemporary Critical Theory
Politics of Irish Literature
Women and Politics
Middle Eastern Politics
Earth, Energy, Ethics & Economy
Arms Control
National and Ethnic Minorities in European Politics
Politics of the Global Economy
N Ireland: A Case Study
Challenges to contemporary party politics
The Placement
The Global Political Economy of Energy
Contemporary Political Philosophy
European Cultural Identities
US Foreign Policy
Far Right in Western Europe and North America
Political Parties and Elections in Northern Ireland
Politics, Public Administration and Policy-Making
Security & Technology
The Placement
Radical Hope: Inspiring Present-day Sustainability TransformationsPeople teaching you
Dr Marcas Mac Coinnigh
Senior Lecturer in IrishArts, English and Languages
Professor Greg Toner
Professor of IrishArts, English and Languages
Professor Mícheál Ó Mainnín
Professor of IrishArts, English and Languages
Contact Teaching Times
Large Group Teaching 6 (hours maximum)
5-6 hours of lectures per weekMedium Group Teaching 5 (hours maximum)
4-5 hours of tutorials or small group teaching per weekPersonal 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 etcLearning 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.
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.
Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:- 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.
Assessment
Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
- 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.
Feedback
As students progress through this course they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module convenors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your 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:
- 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.
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Entry Requirements - E-Learning technologies
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Entry Requirements
Entrance requirements
Selection Criteria
In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.
Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
For last year's intake, applicants for this BA programme offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
Offers are normally be made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than that asked from first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
Access courses, BTEC Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas can be considered, provided the subject requirements for entry to Irish are also fulfilled.
The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.
If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
- Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
- Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes
INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)
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Careers -
Careers
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)
Prizes and Awards
Students receive a certificate of distinction for first class performance in the Stage 3 oral.
The Donohoe prize is awarded for the highest mark in the Irish oral examination in Stage 2.
The Emrys Evans Book prize is awarded at Stages 1 and 2 for the best performance in the written language examination.
There are a number of undergraduate prizes available to top-performing students in Irish. In addition to Foundation Scholarships recognizing outstanding achievement in Stage 1, we have a range of endowed prizes.
John Devlin Fund: Awarded annually to the Final Year student with the highest overall mark in the Irish Language module at Stage 3.
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.
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Fees and Funding -
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £4,530 Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,530 England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250 EU Other 3 £17,400 International £17,400 1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
For further information please refer to www.qub.ac.uk/brexit-advice/information-for-students.
All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
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.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. A programme may have up to 6 modules per year, each with a recommended text.
Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a final year includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
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.
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/.
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Apply
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/students.When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2022 from 1 September 2021.Advisory closing date: 15 January 2022 (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.
Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2022) subject to the availability of places.
Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen’s for entry to this course until 30 June 2022. If you apply for 2022 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
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: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.
Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students
- 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 2021. - 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. - 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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Fees and Funding - Applying through UCAS