Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH109
CAO Points : 371
Closing Date : 01 July 2023
On the BA Media Studies, youll combine creative and practical storytelling with the development of your critical understanding of media, a vital skill since media industries are constantly expanding with new platforms emerging each year and new issues materialising like fake news.
- Youll get to research and analyse media cultures, genres and industries as well as the role of media in society and politics, and then youll apply this in your practice of media design and production and interactive storytelling.
- Youll develop your employability and professionalism through your exploration of media and cultural industries and working lives.
- Media Studies can be combined with Computer Science to develop a broad expertise in Media Technologies.
Why choose this degree?
- To gain practical experience through hands-on instruction in creative media practice.
- To learn about the impact of a range of media forms in society, culture and politics.
- To broaden your educational experience by studying Media Studies along with Arts subjects (such as languages, business, social sciences, computer science).
Youll engage in TV production, interactive storytelling and the study of media theories. Youll also be able to choose specialist topics such as TV studio production, mobile
journalism, scriptwriting, advertising, media and gender and media and politics among others.
Youll get to choose what capstone project you do: short film production or digital team project. Youll also develop your employability by engaging in professional development modules that help you prepare for the working world. And you can take a number of specialist modules like live radio, global cinema, media law, podcasting and authorship in film and TV among others
FIRST YEAR
- 30 credits of Media Studies theory and practice modules
- Choose up to 2 additional Arts subjects (or Critical Skills) from groups 1-5 (max 1 per group). The only compatible double subject is Mathematics (Pure).
SECOND & THIRD YEAR
- Media Studies as a Double Major or Major/Minor with 1 of your 1st year subjects
- Optional 10 credit Electives in 2nd year
Students may apply to study overseas after 2nd year (on Erasmus or Study Abroad) and graduate with a BA (International) after 4 years. See the International Studies website for details.

Academic
Department of Media Studies
Department of Motherhood Project
Department of Arts and Humanities Institute

Academic
Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
English | Yes | N/A | H5 |
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 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. Late application (for existing CAO applicants) accepted up to 1st May 2023.
Mature applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2023 to the Access Office.
Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
01 February 2023
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish & 3rd language & H5 English required.
The Maynooth Education
Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.
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.
APPLY TO THE CAO
WWW.CAO.IE
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.
Categories of applicant:
- School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
- Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
- EU/EFTA/UK students
- International students (outside the EU)
- QQI (Further Education) students
- Transferring students
- Deferring students