Irish Studies

The MA Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that examines the variety and diversity of Irish history, society and cultural practice. It asks a series of questions about Ireland and Irishness, including how did the Irish come to be the way they are, and to what extent are they different from other nations? How has Irish identity changed over time? What are the causes for this process?



This MA introduces students to a wide range of sources and resources, issues and debates about the many-faceted experiences of the people who have lived in Ireland from the earliest times to the present. You will avail of UCD’s unrivalled expertise in many fields related to Irish Studies. Being in Dublin naturally also provides students with easy access to many of Ireland’s key cultural institutions and libraries.



Provides students with small group teaching and personalised supervision that students need at a graduate level

Pathway for further specialisation

Nationally and internationally unrivalled concentration of expertise

Stage 1 - Core

People, Place and IdentityIRST40060

Are the Irish Different?IRST40080

Thesis/Research ProjectIRST40100



Stage 1 - Option

Intro archaeology of IrelandARCH10050

Introduction to Early Irish 1CCIV30070

Early Irish Myths & SagasCCIV30110

Geography of the Growth and Development of DublinGEOG30080

Irish Foreign Policy, 1919-73: A Place Among the NationsHIS31760

Landscape and Environment in Ireland, 1500-1800HIS42490

De Valera's IrelandHIS42590

Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century IrelandHIS42660

Irish for Beginners/Gaeilge do ThosaitheoiríIR10050

An Béal BeoIR30200

Teanga na Gaeilge 4IR40030

An Nualitríocht: Gnéithe de litríocht na Gaeilge ó 1900 i leithIR40200

Folklore and FolkloristicsIRFL40120

The Life CycleIRFL40160

The Narrative ArtIRFL40170

Calendar CustomIRFL40180

Studies in Irish MusicMUS20030

Music in IrelandMUS20610

Sounding Ireland OnscreenMUS41050

Nationalism and Social ChangeSOC40620

This programme is intended for applicants with a humanities and social sciences background.



An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or the international equivalent in a related area is required. Applicants who do not meet the 2.1 entry requirement will be looked at on a case by case basis and relevant work experience will be taken into account.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to apply?

The following entry routes are available:

MA Irish Studies FT (Z195)

Deadline Rolling *



MA Irish Studies PT (Z196)

Deadline Rolling *



* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

90

Z195: 1 year full-time

Z196: 2 years part-time

Mode of delivery: Face-to-Face

MA Irish Studies (Z195) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7315

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MA Irish Studies (Z196) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 4390

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability

Graduates of this MA are trained not only to acquire, manage and communicate detailed knowledge in a creative, productive and supportive environment, but also to compare and contrast differing sources of information derived from archival, printed, visual and electronic formats. The programme enables students to hone their skills in research, critical thinking, oral and written communication, and the use of relevant computer software packages, such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. This degree is ideally suited to students seeking to deepen their knowledge of Irish Studies and to enhance their employment-relevant skills, while also providing a pathway for further specialisation in a relevant area or topic at doctoral level. Potential careers might include journalism, heritage and tourism, or academia.