Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH101
CAO Points : 316
The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts is our most popular degree with 36 subjects across 6 subject groups.
Arts at Maynooth challenges students to consider new perspectives and new ways of approaching problems and ideas. You will have the opportunity to gain a deep knowledge and understanding of your choice of subjects (choose up to 4 subjects from the 36 available in 1st year) while developing critical thinking, analysis and communication skills. Being adaptable and reflective are key requirements in today's workplace and by fully engaging with your Bachelor of Arts programme, you will best position yourself for graduate employment or graduate studies once you complete your BA degree.
We offer progression options into specialised degrees at the end of first year, depending on the student's subjects and results. The possible transfer pathways are listed in the Course Structure tab.
We have further enhanced opportunities to develop key skills through our Critical Skills, Electives and Experiential Learning options:
- Critical Skills: optional, 1st year only. 15 credit course, with a specific focus on developing skills such as effective communication, creative thinking and problem solving - skills that will benefit you in your learning and future employment.
- Elective Streams: optional, 2nd year only. 10 credit short course outside your main subjects which allows you to expand your university education and broaden your perspective. Compatible Electives will depend on the timetable for your choice of subjects in MH101.
- Erasmus or Study Abroad year after 2nd year: optional. Graduate with a BA International after four years.
- We are developing our Experiential Learning programme to include: Community Based Service Learning, Enquiry/Project Based Learning, Undergraduate Research and Community Engagement and Volunteering.
- If you would like help deciding on your options, the dedicated Programme Advisory Office are there to assist students in making decisions regarding the best combination of subjects to suit them.
First year
The 36 Bachelor of Arts subjects are timetabled into 6 groups. Most subjects require no previous knowledge. Those that have extra Leaving Certificate requirements are listed in the How to Apply tab on this page. Students make their subject choices when they register in September and may make changes to these choices within the first four weeks of the semester.
- A year of study is 60 credits. Each Bachelor of Arts subject is 15 credits. Students choose four, three or two subjects - maximum of one per group.
- Some subjects may be taken as a double subject (i.e. 30 credits) in 1st year. These subjects are marked with an asterisk*. Some double subject options cannot be taken together.
- Only one subject may be chosen in each group. An extra timetabled group of subjects exists (not one of groups 1-6) for the optional extra 15 credits that are available in Anthropology, Computer Science, French (beginners), German (beginners), History, International Development, Law, and Spanish (beginners).
- Subjects requiring 30 credits: beginner level French, German and Spanish require 30 credits in 1st year as you will take extra language modules. Mathematics (Pure) requires 30 credits in 1st year (groups 1 and 3);
- Optional 1st year only 15 credit Critical Skills courses are available in all groups.
- At the start of 1st year the Programme Advisory Office assists students in making decisions regarding the best combination of subjects to suit them.
Group 1: Geography* | German | Law* | Mathematics (Pure - groups 1 & 3)* | Philosophy
Group 2: Business (International)* | Business (Management)* | Business (Marketing)* | Criminology | European Studies (15 credits across group 2 & 6) | Greek | History*
Group 3: English* | International Development* | Mathematical Studies | Mathematics (Pure - groups 1 & 3)
Group 4: Anthropology* | Economics | Finance | Latin | Music Technology | Nua-Ghaeilge
Group 5: Computer Science* | Music | Sociology | Spanish
Group 6: Accounting | Chinese Studies | French | Geography* | Greek & Roman Civilization | Mathematical Physics | Media & Cultural Studies | Medieval Celtic Studies | Old Irish and Celtic Languages | Politics | Psychological Studies | Statistics
* Subject may be taken as a double (i.e. 30 credits) in 1st year. Some double subject options cannot be taken together. In the case of Geography, if choosing the Geography subject in Group 6, the only subject you may choose in Group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in 2nd year)
2nd and 3rd (final year)
Options from second year:
- Freedom to choose how much of each subject you would like to study from second year (some limitations exist). Students decide at the end of first year what their preferred pathway is, when they are more familiar with the subjects and what they entail.
- Double Major: take two subjects equally to degree level.
- Major/Minor: place a greater emphasis on one subject, but continue to study a second subject.
- Single Major: specialise in just one subject in your final years. Single Major options exist for Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English, Finance, History, Geography.
- It may be possible to progress into a specialised degree at the end of first year depending on your subjects and results. These are the possible transfer options having completed the first year of the Maynooth Arts degree (see Course Finder for details about requirements):
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BA in Classics MH101 BA Finance MH401 BA International Finance and Economics MH401 BA Accounting and Finance MH403 Single Major BBS or BBA (Business and Management / International Business / Marketing) MH404 BBS Business and Accounting MH407 LLB Single Major MH501 BCL Double Major (Law and Arts / Law and Accounting / Law and Business / Law and Criminology) MH502 BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering/ BSc Multimedia, Mobile and Web Development MH601
MH602
| Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | No | N/A | N/A |
| English | No | N/A | N/A |
| Language | No | N/A | N/A |
| Math | No | N/A | N/A |
| Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Mature student applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any required written tests, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2020 to the Access Office. Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
01 February 2020
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & third language. Recommended minimum 03/H7 Leaving Certificate Mathematics if choosing Music Technology.
CAO application
Choose MH101 on your CAO application. You will choose your BA subjects (up to four) when you register in September 2020 but you will have up to four weeks to change your mind on your subjects. Students admitted to MH101 are required to meet the individual subject requirements in MH101 Arts (see below for details). These subject requirements are not checked by the CAO but are checked by the University when it comes to subject registration in September.
- French, German, Spanish advanced level require H4 in the subject. Beginner option also available which has no minimum grade requirement
- Nua-Ghaeilge: H4 Irish (no beginner option)
- Music: H5 Music
- Mathematics (Pure): H2 Mathematics
- Accounting, Business (International), Business (Management), Business (Marketing), Economics, Finance: O4/H7 Mathematics
- Computer Science, Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Studies, Music Technology, Statistics: O3/H7 Mathematics