Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in History

The Bachelor of Arts in History is a four-year degree program offered by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at the University of Galway. This innovative program provides students with the opportunity to study history in a global context, exploring the local and the global past and how they shape the present.

Program Structure

The BA in History offers students a choice of three Learning Pathways to follow for their degree:

• BA Historical Studies: Continue with History (major) and two other subjects (minors) taken in Year One.
• BA History, Politics, and Philosophy: Continue with History (as major) and take both Sociology & Politics and Sociological Studies (as minors).
• BA History (joint-honours): Continue with History (Major) and one of the subjects taken in Year One (double major).

Year One

In Year One, students study History alongside two other Arts subjects of their choice. Students have maximum freedom of choice about other subjects in Year One. If interested in taking History with two minor subjects to degree level, students need to choose two minor subjects in First Year from the following list:

• Journalism and Global Media
• Political and Sociological Studies
• Economics and Public Policy
• Philosophy
• French
• Italian
• German

Year Two

In Year Two, students tailor their studies to their interests and career goals by choosing their Learning Pathway.

Year Three

In Year Three, students have the chance to broaden their horizons:

• Apply to spend a semester or full year studying at one of the university's global partner universities across Europe and North America.
• Take a history-related work placement within, for example, a museum, archive, or another educational setting.
• Pursue their own historical passions by undertaking an Independent Research Project on a topic of their choice.

Year Four

In the final year, students refine their skills and specialize in areas that interest them most:

• Continue on their chosen Learning Pathway.
• The final year also supports students' transition into professional life or postgraduate study.

Unique Features

The program has several unique features, including:

• Global focus: Explore the local and the global past and how they shape the present across a wide range of exciting modules focusing on Ireland, Britain, continental Europe, North America, Australasia, and Africa.
• Taught by internationally recognized experts actively engaged in research and historical practice in themed areas such as Ireland in a Global Context, Activism and Justice, Childhood, Youth and Family, and Religion and Society.
• Opportunities to apply to study abroad with partner universities across Europe and North America.
• Gain practical experience in archival research and information skills by taking the specialist module, Using Archives and Special Collections in Research.
• Wide choice of complementary minor subjects.
• Real-world readiness: Graduate with a strong portfolio of transferable analytical, critical, and communication skills that are highly valued by employers.

Careers

The BA in History provides students with a broad range of knowledge as well as valuable skills for careers in an array of interesting work settings. Recent graduates have gone on to work in international development, the diplomatic and civil service, NGOs, journalism, publishing, marketing and media, the heritage industry, education, or undertaken postgraduate studies.

Potential Roles

Potential roles for graduates include:

• Teacher
• Public policy and the civil service
• The diplomatic corps
• Working in Publishing
• Programme manager at an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation)
• Librarian and archivist
• Parliamentary assistant
• Working in technology start-up for academic events and abstracts management

Skills Gained

Skills gained by taking the degree include:

• The ability to think critically about information presented
• How to access, handle, and assess a wide range of types of evidence
• How to engage in written and oral debates
• Working in teams and managing joint projects
• The ability to work independently
• Global fluency about varied cultural contexts

Study Abroad

Students on the BA in History can apply to study abroad for one or two semesters at one of the university's partner universities in Europe or North America. This optional opportunity can be a transformative part of the degree.

Work Placement

For Year Three, BA in History students may apply to undertake a Work Placement that applies the research skills developed in this degree program in a work setting. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain professional experience and boost career prospects.

Who Teaches This Course?

The course is taught by a team of internationally recognized experts, including:

• Dr. Róisín Healy
• Dr. Gearóid Barry
• Dr. Sarah-Anne Buckley
• Professor Enrico Dal Lago
• Dr. Shannon Devlin
• Dr. Chris Doyle
• Dr. Tomás Finn
• Professor Alison Forrestal
• An tOllamh/Professor James Livesey
• An tOllamh/Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne
• Dr. Laurence Marley
• Dr. Ciarán McCabe
• Dr. Andrew Newby
• Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh
• Dr. Kevin O'Sullivan
• Dr. Anita Rupprecht
• Dr. Jackie Uí Chionna

Learning and Assessment

The course is designed to instill respect for evidence, the ability to read sources closely, and to train students in how to communicate their findings effectively. The skills of critical thinking, collaboration, and self-starting on major projects are all skills that are relevant to future employment.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and any three other subjects recognized for entry purposes.

Alternative Pathways

The Access Centre at the University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programs.

Fees, Costs, and Funding

Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee ---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|--- | All | 3,098 | 2,500 | 20,750 | 140 | 2,640 | 5,738 | 20,890

Scholarships

High-achieving undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for a range of prestigious scholarships that recognize academic excellence and support students in reaching their full potential.