About Politics - Arts (ba (hons)) in University College Cork

A degree in Politics gives you a flexible qualification for the 21st century, providing you with sought-after analytical and practical skills in research, communication and IT.

Politics is available in all three years of the BA degree, and you may study it as a single, major, or joint honours subject.

Politics is built around three pillars with contributions from the Department of Government, the School of History and the Department of Philosophy.

Year 1 modules

• PO1001 Introduction to Politics
• Politics in Ireland
• International Politics and Key concepts in Political Theory.

The BA Politics at UCC is taught jointly by staff from the Department of Government, the School of History and the Department of Philosophy. Our staff are drawn from a broad range of specialist backgrounds creating a diverse and innovative learning environment for students.

Over the course of the degree, you can participate in field trips to Irish and international political institutions, contribute to national policy analysis by making submissions to policy reviews, publish your work in the student online journal Government and Politics Review and attend and speak at a wide range of conferences organised by staff across the course.

Students have amazing opportunities during their degree, such as the Washington Ireland Programme in Washington DC, the Kosovo International Summer Academy and the Fleishman Hillard EU Internship Programme in Brussels.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Study abroad

If you are studying through the BA International, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities abroad. We currently have links with universities in Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden Mexico, and the USA.

Work placement

If you study through the BA or the BA International, you will have the opportunity to avail of a work placement in Year 2. You can find out more here.

Skills and Careers Information

We aim to help our students develop a broad set of skills that will enhance their development as resourceful and reflective citizens. Politics graduates have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills and we emphasise effective communication skills throughout the programme. This means a focus on clear and insightful writing but also on effective oral communication, from making presentations to contributing to classroom discussions.

Our graduates have gone on to become:

• political advisers
• journalists
• officials in international organisations
• teachers
• business analysts
• campaign coordinators for charities, interest groups and political parties
• policy analysts
• administrators
• recruitment consultants

and of course, a small number have become politicians!

Politics and Society is now a Leaving Certificate subject and this has opened up significant teaching opportunities for our graduates. 

Academic qualification equivalents

 1.    All India Senior School Certificate 

 2.    Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 

 3.    Indian School Certificate (Year 12) 

Band 1 Programmes

Minimum average of 90% + in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum average of 80-89% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Band 3 Programmes

Minimum average of 75-79% in any of the recognised secondary school qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Where Maths is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% in Maths is required.

Where a Lab Science subject is required for a specific degree programme, a minimum score of 85% is required in the appropriate Lab Science subject.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

University College Cork Highlights