Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours)

The Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours) is a flexible and engaging degree program that allows students to shape their academic journey around their interests and goals. With 23 subjects to choose from across 7 subject groups, students can create a unique degree that matches their passions and develops valuable skills for a wide range of careers.

Course Overview

• Title of Award: Bachelor of Arts (Joint-Honours)
• CAO Code: GY101
• CAO Points: 350 (2025)
• Average Intake: 850
• Delivery: On Campus
• NFQ: Level 8
• QQI/FET/FETAC Places: 30
• Award Type: Major
• Next Intake: September 2026
• Duration: 3 years (4 years for BA International)

Why Choose This Course?

• Unique Course: Allows students to shape their own degree from 23 subjects across 7 subject groups.
• Top Ranked: Study at one of the Top 250 Universities in the world for Arts and Humanities (QS Subject Rankings 2025).
• Field Work: Explore subjects like Geography and Archaeology, and gain hands-on experience in the field.
• Employability: Gain skills employers are looking for, such as problem-solving, creative thinking, communication skills, and empathy.

Course Information

What Will I Study?

In Year One, students select three subjects from a range of 23 subjects, grouped into 7 subject areas. When considering what subjects to pick, start with what interests you. Perhaps you might choose a subject you love studying at school, a subject that aligns with your future career goals, or maybe one you've never tried before.

In Year Two, students continue with two of these three subjects. There are a small number of subjects that have specific progression requirements from Year 1 to Year 2.

Curriculum

This is a sample of modules available, and these may vary from year to year.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

• Optional Subject: Ancient Classics (20 Credits)
  • Required CC1101: Mythology and the City in Ancient Greece - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required CC1100: Classics in 20 Objects - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required CC114: Written Words & Spoken Languages in the Ancient World - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required CC1102: Empire and Literature in Ancient Rome - 5 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional Subject: Archaeology (20 Credits)
  • Required AR1104: Material Culture and Museums - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required AR113: Prehistoric Ireland & Europe - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required AR1105: Medieval Ireland and Europe - 5 Credits - Semester 2
  • Required AR1106: Sites and Monuments in the Landscape - 5 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional Subject: Celtic Civilisation (20 Credits)
  • If you choose this subject, you cannot choose International Development.
  • Required SG111: Early & Medieval History of the Celts - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required SG1101: Medieval Celtic Literature B - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required SG1100: Medieval Celtic Literature A - 5 Credits - Semester 1
  • Required SG116: Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore - 5 Credits - Semester 2
• Other subjects and their respective modules are also available.

Year 2 (60 Credits)

• Optional Subject: Ancient Classics (30 Credits)
  • This subject is available if you studied Ancient Classics in the previous year/semester.
  • Optional CC230: Beginning Latin Part 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Optional CC2105: Heroic Epic - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Optional CC2103: Mediterranean Origins - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Optional CC232: Beginning Latin Part 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
• Optional Subject: Archaeology (30 Credits)
  • This subject is available if you studied Archaeology in the previous year/semester.
  • Required AR2103: Archaeology and Irish Identity Celts, Christians, Vikings - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Required AR2107: Ancient Civilizations - Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, Mesoamerica - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Required AR2108: Space, Place and the Irish Landscape - 5 Credits - Semester 3
  • Required AR236: Interpretation in Archaeology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
• Other subjects and their respective modules are also available.

Year 3 (60 Credits)

• Optional Subject: Ancient Classics (30 Credits)
  • This subject is available if you studied Ancient Classics in the previous year/semester.
  • Optional CC3102: Studying Greek Figured Pottery - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Optional CC316: Barbarians - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Optional CCS315: Intermediate Latin 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Optional CC230: Beginning Latin Part 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 5
• Optional Subject: Archaeology (30 Credits)
  • This subject is available if you studied Archaeology in the previous year/semester.
  • Required AR343: Public Archaeology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Required AR3104: Archaeological Post-excavation - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Required AR3106: The Bronze Age Roots of European Civilization - 5 Credits - Semester 5
  • Optional AR325: Minor Dissertation - 5 Credits - Semester 6
• Other subjects and their respective modules are also available.

Unique Features

• The flexibility to shape your own degree from 23 different subjects.
• Unique subject combinations across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Creative Arts.
• The opportunity of a full academic year of study abroad if you are studying a language subject.
• Pathways to Psychology, Law, and other professional qualifications.

Careers

Our BA (Joint-Honours) opens doors to many different career paths and postgraduate opportunities. This degree not only deepens your knowledge in your chosen subjects but also equips you with valuable skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and adaptability. Graduates go on to careers in fields such as:

• Education
• Creative Arts and Media
• Journalism and Broadcasting
• Finance and Marketing
• Public Relations and Human Resources
• Psychology, Law, and more

Study Abroad

For students studying a European language, you'll spend a full academic year in third year immersed in your chosen language, gaining real-world experience while studying abroad. This is your chance to boost your language skills, explore new cultures, and grow in confidence - all while living in another country.

Accreditation and Awards

Students who have studied Psychological Studies as one of their two subjects to degree level can apply to the Higher Diploma Psychology (Conversion) Psychology. By combining the one-year HDipPsych (Conversion) with the BA with Psychological Studies, students will have covered the course content equivalent to that of the University of Galway's BSc in Psychology program.

Learning and Assessment

Each individual subject in the BA (Joint-Honours) will be assessed separately. Assessments vary from module to module, but you can expect to have a mix of essays and written assignments, in-class presentations and group assignments, as well as some written examinations.

Entry Requirements and Fees

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognized for entry purposes.
• To study Gaeilge as a subject, students will need a minimum grade H5 in the Leaving Certificate.
• To study French as a subject, students will need a minimum grade H4 in the Leaving Certificate.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

• Course Type: All
• Year: 3,098
• EU Tuition: 2,500
• Student Contribution: 19,250
• Non-EU Tuition: 140
• Levy: 2,640
• Total Fee: 5,738
• Total EU Fee: 19,390

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.

International (Non-EU) Application Information

Students applying for full undergraduate degree programs from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via the University of Galway application portal. The application portal opens on the 1st of October each year for the following September.