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BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

    Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

    CAO/MU Apply code : MH101

    CAO Points : 307

    View QQI details

    The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree - MH101 - The CAO's Most Popular First Preference Course

    • The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 has been among the top preference CAO courses for a number of years, receiving most first preference applications. By choosing the Maynooth BA degree, a wide variety of interesting subjects is opened up to you.
    • Hundreds of subject combinations are available and you don't have to make any decision on your subject choices until you have sampled as many as you wish over the first four weeks of first year. Simply list MH101 on your CAO preferences - no individual subject preferences are required for the CAO. 
    • Flexible second year pathways and lots of choice are also part of what makes the MH101 degree so appealing to our applicants. 

    >>See the Course Structure tab for details and links to more information about the 32 subjects/groupings/pathways after first year.

    CAO Application:

    • Choose MH101 on your CAO application.
    • Choose your BA subjects (2, 3 or 4) when you register in September 2025. You will have up to four weeks to change your mind on your subjects. 

    Most Arts subjects require no prior knowledge. Some BA subjects require specific Leaving Certificate grades. These extra requirements are not checked by the CAO but are checked by the University when it comes to subject registration in September. 

    >>See How to Apply tab for details.

    For more details on the course structure click here

    First Year (60 credits)

    32 MH101 subjects timetabled into 6 groups - scroll down to see the groups

    • Each year of study is 60 credits - each subject in MH101 is 15 credits - make your subject choices when you register in September - option to change your mind for up to 4 weeks after registering
    • Choose 2 or 3 or 4 subjects - maximum 1 subject per group due to timetabling of subjects
    • Subjects requiring 30 credits: beginner Chinese Studies, French, German and Spanish. Students take extra language modules and these extra 15 credits are timetabled in group 7. Mathematics (Pure) requires 30 credits in 1st year (groups 1 and 3)
    • Most subjects require no previous knowledge (exceptions Mathematics (Pure), Music and Nua-Ghaeilge)
    • Group 7: only relevant to those students taking the optional extra 15 credits that are available in Anthropology, Computer Science, History, International Development, Law. Language and Culture subject is available to non-beginner Chinese Studies, French, German or Spanish students only
    • Optional 1st year only 15 credit Critical Skills courses can be taken with any subject combination.
    Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
    Geography* Business (International)* English* Anthropology* Computer Science* Accounting
    German  Business (Management)* International Development* Economics Music* Chinese Studies
    Law* Business (Marketing)* Mathematical Studies Finance Sociology Classical Studies

    Mathematics (Pure)

    (groups 1 & 3)*

    		 Criminology

    Mathematics (Pure)

    (groups 1 & 3)

    		 Music Technology Spanish French
    Philosophy History*   Nua-Ghaeilge   Geography**
      Music (extra 15 credits)       Mathematical Physics
              Media, Film & Cultural Studies
              Medieval Celtic Studies
              Politics
              Psychological Studies
              Statistics
    Critical Skills Critical Skills Critical Skills Critical Skills Critical Skills Critical Skills

    *30 credit option in some subjects:

    These subjects are marked with an asterisk*. Some double subject options cannot be taken together. 

    Group 6 Subjects: only relevant if taking a 30 credit option in these subjects:

    Business (optional extra 15 credits) | English (optional extra 15 credits) | **Geography (optional extra 15 credits) - if choosing Geography in group 6, the only subject available to you in group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in second year) | Music in group 2 (optional extra 15 credits only available if taking Music in group 5)

    Group 7 Subjects: only relevant if taking a 30 credit option in these subjects:

    - Anthropology (extra 15)
    - Chinese Studies (extra 15 required)
    - Computer Science (extra 15)
    - French (extra 15)
    - German (extra 15)
    - History (extra 15)
    - International Development (extra 15)
    - Law (extra 15)
    - Spanish (extra 15)
    - Language and Culture (this subject option is for non-beginner French, German or Spanish students)

    The Programme Advisory Office assists first year students in making decisions regarding the best combination of subjects to suit them.

    Second and Third/Final Year (60 credits per year)

    Options from second year:

    • Freedom to choose how much of each subject you would like to study from second year (some limitations exist). Students decide at the end of first year what their preferred pathway is, when they are more familiar with the subjects and what they entail.
      • Double Major: take two subjects equally to degree level.
      • Major/Minor: place a greater emphasis on one subject, but continue to study a second subject.
      • Single Major: specialise in just one subject in your final years.
    • It may be possible to progress into a specialised degree at the end of first year depending on your first year subjects and results: 
    BA Finance MH401
    BSc Quantitative Finance MH402
    BA Accounting and Finance  MH403
    Single Major BBS or BBA (Business and Management / International Business / Marketing and/or with Global Cultures) MH404 
    BBA/BBS Business and Accounting MH407
    BBA Business and Languages MH409
    BSc Economics MH415
    BA International Economics (NEW) MH416
    LLB Law Single Major MH501
    BCL Double Major (Law and Arts/Law and Accounting/Law and Business/Law and Criminology) MH502
    BA Criminology  MH504
    BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering/ BSc Multimedia, Mobile and Web Development (through Arts) MH601
    For more details on the course structure click here

    No results

    After graduation
    > As an arts graduate you will have versatility on your side. Some seek graduate employment and others opt for postgraduate specialisation.
    > Over the course of your three or four year degree you are given the opportunity to gain valuable skills including the hugely important ability to think critically and analytically. Our Arts students are encouraged to become flexible thinkers who are ready for the challenges of the modern workplace in the years following graduation.

    Some of the areas in which Maynooth BA graduates develop their careers include:

    • Human resources & training
    • Finance
    • Psychology
    • Law
    • Marketing & advertising
    • Business
    • Publishing & information
    • Librarianship
    • Teaching – primary & second level
    • Social policy
    • Leisure
    • Travel & tourism
    • Media & communications
    • Translation
    • Arts & culture
    • Management consultancy
    • Computing & IT
    • Civil service
    • Medicine (graduate entry programmes)
    • Economics
    • Public relations
    • Political lobbying

     

    This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
    Subject Required Ordinary Level Grade Higher Level Grade
    Irish Yes O6 H7
    English Yes O6 H7
    Language Yes O6 H7
    Math No N/A N/A
    Science No N/A N/A

    International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements

    Mature Students

    Mature Applicants 

    Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21.

    Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

    Mature applicants who have a disability 

    If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

    For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

    01 February 2025

    Additional Information

    Leaving Certificate Applicants 

    Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language. Round 1 points 2024: 307

    HEAR and DARE

    DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

    HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

    Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

    The Maynooth Education

    Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.   

    CAO Application

    • Choose MH101 on your CAO application.
    • Choose your BA subjects (2, 3 or 4) when you register in September 2025. You will have up to four weeks to change your mind on your subjects. 

    Most Arts subjects require no prior knowledge. Some BA subjects require specific Leaving Certificate grades. These extra requirements are not checked by the CAO but are checked by the University when it comes to subject registration in September. 

    Subject Minimum Requirements

    Required

    • Nua-Ghaeilge: H4 Irish (no beginner option)
    • Music: H5 Music
    • Mathematics (Pure): H2 Mathematics

    Recommended: we recommend students have achieved the following grades at Leaving Certificate level in order to meet the demands of these subjects

    • French, German, Spanish non-beginner level recommend H4 or better in the subject. Beginner option also available.
    • Accounting, Business (International), Business (Management), Business (Marketing), Economics, Finance: O4/H7 Mathematics
    • Computer Science, Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Studies, Music Technology, Statistics: O3/H7 Mathematics

    CAO Applicant Information

    The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

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