Irish Studies
UCAS code Q540
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
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
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
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 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
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
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
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 Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
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
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- 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
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
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
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
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
Combine this subject
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
- Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
- Choose joint or major minor subjects
- Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
- Same number of credits as single honours students
- Same classes as single honours students
- Appeal to a wide range of employers
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.
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).