Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts (Professional Pathways)

The University of Limerick offers a unique undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Pathways). This degree combines modules from across the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Department of Economics to offer four distinct pathways of study.

Course Features

There are three distinct features of this degree:

1. Pathway Options: Students can select from one of four career-oriented 'pathway' options: Public Affairs, Social, Economic and Physical Planning, Communication and Digital Translation, and Social, Economic and Environmental Change.
2. Transferable Skills Modules: Alongside their chosen pathway, students participate in a specially designed core set of transferable skills modules, including ethics, values, and leadership, data literacy, and applied critical thinking and problem-solving.
3. Cooperative Education Work Placement: Students benefit from an extended, eight-month Cooperative Education work placement, providing valuable experience in the world of work and opportunities to make connections between their learning and workplace requirements.

Pathways

The four pathways are:

• Public Affairs: Designed for those who want to play a role in shaping, guiding, and understanding how society, economy, political, and administrative systems operate.
• Social, Economic and Physical Planning: Designed for those who see themselves having a role in planning for the future, either in terms of social and economic development or physical planning.
• Communication and Digital Translation: Designed for those with an interest in communication and acting as interpreters and translators of the increasingly digital world.
• Social, Economic and Environmental Change: Designed for those interested in understanding and shaping how the world needs to change in a more equitable and sustainable direction.

What You Will Study

Each pathway has its own set of modules, including:

• Public Affairs Pathway: Modules in economics, sociology, politics, and public administration.
• Social, Economic and Physical Planning Pathway: Modules in geography, economics, and public administration.
• Communication and Digital Translation Pathway: Modules in digital culture, journalism, communications, and linguistics, with the option to study a language.
• Social, Economic and Environmental Change Pathway: Modules in geography, economics, sociology, politics, and public administration.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Grades: 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7
• English: O6/H7
• 2nd Language: O6/H7
• Maths: F6/O6/H7
• Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements.

How to Apply

Students can apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Irish students must apply via the CAO, while EU and non-EU students have different application processes.

Fees and Funding

Student course fees are broken into three components: Student contribution, Student Levy, and Tuition Fees. The current student contribution is 2,500, and the Student Levy is 104. Tuition fees vary depending on residency, citizenship, and course requirements.

Scholarships

Several scholarships are available, including the All Ireland Scholarships, Bursary for my Future Scholarship, and Civic Engagement Scholarship.

Your Future Career

Graduates from the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Pathways) are likely to find careers across various areas, including public affairs, social and economic planning, communication and digital translation, and social, economic, and environmental change. Potential career opportunities include policy analyst, urban planner, digital content creator, and sustainability consultant.

Follow-on Study

Some students may choose to pursue further study options, such as postgraduate studies in planning, digital transformation, youth and community work, or business management.