Program Overview

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Government & Political Science

Course Overview

The BSc Government and Political Science is a four-year undergraduate degree that combines elements of politics, business, and law to provide students with a well-rounded and comprehensive perspective on current affairs and contemporary politics.

Course Outline

The degree is both intellectually stimulating and practically oriented, with a strong emphasis on practice as well as theory throughout the course. Students will undertake a considerable amount of project work that will require them to use their initiative in searching for data and information and in conducting research and analysis.

Course Practicalities

This course involves about 12 hours of lectures each week, as well as tutorials, field trips, and guest lectures. Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including essays, oral presentations, podcasts, research reports, social media analyses, submissions to government, letters to editors, and poster design.

Why Choose This Course

The BSc Government and Political Science offers a unique combination of politics, business, and law. Work placement has been an integral part of the degree since its establishment in 1999. Graduates are equipped for a wide variety of careers in politics, management, retail, banking, government departments, local government, voluntary groups, and journalism.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

A 14-week work placement is an integral part of the BSc Government and Political Science. Students undertake a work placement in Year 3 of the degree, at home or abroad. Recent student placements have included the civil service, government agencies, New York State Assembly, New York State Senate, Scottish Parliament, the European Parliament, banks, insurance companies, media organisations, PR companies, humanitarian groups, health boards, and local government.

Skills and Careers Information

The excellent transferable skills acquired in the BSc Government and Political Science open up many career paths. Our graduates work in different fields, including:

• Public service (home and abroad)
• Civil service (home and abroad)
• International organisations
• National parliaments and local government
• Political parties
• Public affairs
• Lobbying
• Journalism
• Television
• Voluntary sector

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest, and prospective students must also apply for and sit the Mature Student Evaluation (MSE) test. Applicants may also be called for interview. Candidates must have an interest in current affairs/politics.

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Fees and Costs

• Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
• The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
• See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
• Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
• Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.

How To Apply

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.

Mature Applicants

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.

QQI/FET Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process and whether there are routes available to this course.

Non-EU Applicants

If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.