About this course

This degree offers students a unique opportunity to study the history, politics, culture, literature, and language of Ireland. The interdisciplinary nature of the course provides students with a broad grounding in the humanities and social sciences, equipping graduates with a diverse and versatile skills set suitable for a wide-range of careers.

Introduction

You will explore Irish identity and society from a number of perspectives including the historical, the linguistic, the political, the literary and the ethnographic. You will then have the opportunity to develop expertise in your chosen area of study through the range of modules available in your second and third year.

The role of Ireland as an emerging independent nation, as well as part of a broader matrix of British and global history is explored. Its outstanding contribution to English literature in writers such as Wilde, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, Bowen, McGahern, Heaney, and Edna O’Brien feature as part of this absorbing degree. Students can undertake in-depth study of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ and explore the lessons which can be drawn from the region’s peace process for divided societies around the world. Students will also have the option of studying the Irish language, with modules catering to beginners as well as those who may already have a background in the language.

What you'll learn

Knowledge and understanding of Ireland, it’s culture, history and politics
Ability to formulate informed, sensitive and well-articulated arguments
Debate skills
Ability to integrate a diverse range of primary and secondary materials (such as literary and historical texts, oral interviews, sound recordings, visual screenings of events, places and people) into your work
Bibliographical, library and internet research skills
Opportunity to learn the Irish language

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Year one introduces you to Irish literature, Irish legends, Irish history and gives you the chance to learn the Irish language.

Students take 60 credits of optional modules in each semester.

Students may take a maximum of 30 credits of non-IRIS modules.

FILM101 is a pre-requisite for FILM102.

Modules

Optional modules	Credits
ENGLISH LITERATURE IN IRELAND: JONATHAN SWIFT TO WB YEATS (IRIS103)	15
NORTHERN IRELAND BEFORE THE 'TROUBLES': FROM PARTITION TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND ARMALITES (IRIS107)	15
BEGINNERS' IRISH LANGUAGE 1 (IRIS141)	15
CLOSE READING (ENGL103)	15
INTRODUCTION TO FILM LANGUAGE (FILM101)	15
POWER, BELIEF AND IDENTITY: MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN WORLDS, C. 500-1600 CE (HIST115)	15
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH POLITICS (POLI101)	15
FIELDTRIP TO IRELAND AND STUDY METHODS (IRIS102)	15
MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY IRISH WRITING: FROM JAMES JOYCE TO SALLY ROONEY (IRIS104)	15
IRELAND'S BATTLE OF IDEAS (IRIS114)	15
BEGINNERS' IRISH LANGUAGE 2 (IRIS142)	15
WAYS OF READING (ENGL113)	15
APPROACHES TO FILM (FILM102)	15
PEOPLE, POWER AND POLITICS: APPROACHES TO MODERN BRITISH HISTORY C. 1880-2016 (HIST116)	15
BRITISH POLITICS IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE (POLI102)	15

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.

Year two

Year two builds on the themes introduced in year one and also to specific research methods to build your skills.

Students take 15 credits of required modules and 45 credits of optional modules in semester one and 60 credits of optional modules in semester two.

Registration onto IRIS217 is subject to a suitable placement being sourced.

Registration onto HLAC220 is only for students planning to undertake a Work Placement Year.

Modules

Compulsory modules	Credits
RESEARCH METHODS FOR IRISH STUDIES (IRIS230)	15

Optional modules	Credits
BEGINNERS' IRISH LANGUAGE 1 (IRIS241)	15
BEGINNERS IRISH LANGUAGE 2 (IRIS242)	15
CONTINUING IRISH LANGUAGE 1 (IRIS243)	15
WRITING MAGAZINES / MAGAZINE WRITING: HISTORY, LITERATURE AND THE PERIODICAL (ENGL299)	30
MAKING HERITAGE HAPPEN (HLAC205)	15
PLACEMENT YEAR PREPARATION (HLAC220)	15
UK GENERAL ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS SINCE 1945 (POLI204)	15
IRISH STUDIES IN ACTION (IRIS217)	15
CONTINUING IRISH LANGUAGE 2 (IRIS244)	15
BANNED: FICTION, SEX AND THE LIMITS OF DECENCY (ENGL298)	30
SAINTS, SCHOLARS AND SEA MONSTERS: IRELAND AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC, C.400 - C.850 (HIST234)	15
WAR STORIES: PERSONAL HISTORIES OF WAR IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (HIST265)	15
LIVING THE GLOBAL EIGHTEENTH CENTURY (HLAC200)	15
MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS (HLAC206)	15

Year three

Year three pulls together everything from your first two years of study, and gives you the option to focus on your preferred route of Irish Studies, whether that be Irish history, Irish literature or Irish politics.

Students must take:

EITHER:
Semester one
60 credits of optional modules

Semester two
IRIS310 – Dissertation (30 credits)
30 credits of optional modules

OR:

Semester one
45 credits of optional modulesl

Semester two
45 credits of optional modules

Semester one and two
IRIS400 – Dissertation (30 credits)*

IRIS400 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.

Up to 15 credits of optional modules may be taken from cognate subjects elsewhere in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures with prior permission from the subject lead.

Modules

Optional modules	Credits
IMAGINING THE MIGRANT SELF: HISTORY, LITERATURE AND THE POLITICS OF CULTURE (ENGL486)	30
WAR WRITING (ENGL488)	30
CIVIL WAR AND THE SELF: HUMAN HISTORIES OF THE NORTHERN IRISH TROUBLES 1969-2019 (HIST385)	15
FROM THE IRA TO THE FAR RIGHT: UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD (POLI324)	15
CONFLICT AND POLITICS IN NORTHERN IRELAND (POLI815)	15
WRITING FOR RADIO: BROADCASTING IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY BRITAIN AND IRELAND (ENGL487)	30
JAMES JOYCE: A WRITING LIFE (ENGL499)	30
DISSERTATION IN IRISH STUDIES - SECOND SEMESTER (IRIS310)	30
DISSERTATION IN IRISH STUDIES (WHOLE SESSION) (IRIS400)	30

Combined degree

Choosing this subject as a combined degree

You will explore Irish identity and society from a number of perspectives including the historical, the linguistic, the literary and its material culture. You then have the opportunity to choose modules in order to specialise in a specific area.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

The programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, lecture-classes, seminar presentations and small group discussions. Lectures provide a basic framework and introduce students to the key topics and central concepts of the subject. They provide core material for the course and are arranged on the assumption that lecture notes form a shared starting point for tutorial discussion, essay writing and revision.

Seminars are small discussion groups of 10-15 students. Both methods of teaching require preparation and interaction on both sides. Students are encouraged to lead discussions, and are given credit for seminar presentation and contributions to discussion in some modules.

Academic advisors are also responsible for meeting their advisees to guide their academic progress and assist them in their course choices. The learning experience is monitored by the issuing of module evaluation questionnaires, which are used to assess student feedback. All tutors keep office hours when they are available to see students on a drop-in basis, and students may also contact tutors by arrangement via email.

How you're assessed

All modules include assessed coursework of one kind or another – essays, analytical exercises, projects, seminar performance. There is no one standard means of module assessment, although essays, end of semester examinations and seminar presentations are the most common. The different types of assessment help evaluate your different skillsets and talents. Details of the assessment method for each module are contained in the module descriptors distributed to students at the beginning of each module.

Liverpool Learning Framework

At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.

You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:

Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges

We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.

We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

Learn Chinese
Study in a bustling world heritage city
Improve employment prospects
Study Chinese culture
30 minutes from Shanghai
Learn new skills

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

Australia
Canada
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
USA

More about taking a year abroad

Semester abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Inspire your future career or studies
Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
More likely to earn higher salary
More likely to be employed after graduating

More about taking a semester abroad

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
Study abroad without adding an extra year
Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

A dedicated languages degree
A language as a joint or major/minor degree
Language modules (selected degrees)
Language classes alongside your studies

Your experience

The Institute of Irish Studies is part of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures and is based in 1-7 Abercromby Square. The Institute of Irish Studies runs an acclaimed public-lecture series, and as a student you will gain the opportunity to meet and engage with prestigious speakers from across the globe. Former speakers have included two Nobel Laureates, three Presidents of the Republic of Ireland, four Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, a Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and numerous prize-winning authors and cultural commentators.

Irish Studies Joint Patronage

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.

Why Irish Studies at University of Liverpool?

The Institute has played a significant part in Ireland’s recent history. The Director, Professor Peter Shirlow, has undertaken conflict transformation work in Northern Ireland and has used that knowledge in exchanges with governments, former combatants and NGOs in the former Yugoslavia, Moldova, Bahrain and Iraq
The Institute attracts a high calibre of public lecturers. In recent years, speakers have included President Michael D. Higgins, President Mary McAleese, former Irish President Mary Robinson, Roddy Doyle, Seamus Heaney, John Hume, Peter Mandelson, US Senator George Mitchell and Paul Muldoon
The city of Liverpool has always had strong links with the north and south of Ireland. There are excellent links between the Institute and the the Liverpool Irish community providing opportunities for research aand voluntary work
Exciting events such as the ones for Liverpool Irish Festival. These have included lectures by the authors Blake Morrison and Patrick McCabe, the filmmaker Peter Lennon and the Keeper of Antiquities of the National Museum of Ireland Dr Eamonn Kelly.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

Match with an ambassador

Olivia and Ronan share their experience of Irish Studies

Careers and employability

An Irish Studies degree provides you with a range of transferable skills will allow you to pursue a career in many different areas. Alternatively, many of our graduates go on to undertake further academic research.

Recent employers of Irish Studies graduates include:

British and Irish Local Government
English language schools abroad
Local education authorities
National museums
Newspaper groups
FTSE 100 companies’ graduate schemes Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

100% of Irish studies students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,790
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £1,465 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £27,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £13,500 (applies to year in China)

The fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. You can find information on the general and subject-specific costs you could expect to incur on our study costs webpage.

We’re showing the scholarships available to students from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

Ruth Cannell Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will support undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film with their year abroad.

Whiteley Award

This award offers £3,000 per year for a UK undergraduate student from an under-represented background who has successfully completed the Liverpool Scholars or Pathways to Medicine programme.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £26,500 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification	Details
A levels	BBB Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBC from A levels, with A in the EPQ. You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.
T levels	T levels considered in a relevant subject. Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.
GCSE	4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma	Applications considered. BTEC applications are encouraged. We evaluate each BTEC application on its merits.
International Baccalaureate	30 points overall with no score less than 4 or pass the IB Diploma plus 5,5,5 in 3 HL subjects.
Irish Leaving Certificate	H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher	BBB in Advanced Highers, combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level.
Access	Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit.
International qualifications	If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
If you are returning to learning, have had a disrupted education or are switching career pathways, the one-year Go Higher diploma qualifies you to apply for University of Liverpool arts, humanities and social sciences programmes
Applications from mature students are welcome.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification	Details
IELTS	6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT	If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test	125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
Pearson PTE Academic	61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic	70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500	Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990	Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511	0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991	0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced	176 overall, with no paper below 162
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature	Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B	Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score	Pre-sessional English course length	On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5	6 weeks	On campus or online
5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0	10 weeks	On campus or online
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0	12 weeks	Online
5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0	20 weeks	On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5	30 weeks	On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0	40 weeks	On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

Send us a message Phone: +44 (0) 151 794 5927

Last updated 5 February 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions