Bachelor of Arts (MI002)

Year 1

In your first year, you choose four subjects from groups 1-11. You can select any subject combinations, however, at least three of the subjects must be from Mary Immaculate College and no two subjects can be from the same group. When choosing your subjects in Year 1, it is essential to have at least two subjects from different Year 2 subject groups bearing in mind that Economics, Politics & International Relations and Public Administration & Leadership are first year subjects only and those who choose Psychology in Year 1 may not be offered a place in Psychology in Year 2.

Years 2-4

Towards the end of Year 1, you will receive advice and guidance before selecting the subjects you will continue with from years 2-4. At the beginning of Year 2 (Part II) you will choose two of the four subjects taken in first year. You will continue with these two subjects to degree level as joint honours. No more than one subject can be taken from any one of the following groups outlined below.

Foundation Studies & Electives

All First Year Liberal Arts students take the Foundation Studies course. Its aim is to equip them with basic literary and computing skills. These modules examine academic writing at university level where writing style, essay structure and referencing of sources are explored in a task-based approach. Research skills include: formulating research questions; sourcing material; searching databases; case studies; action research and questionnaires. The IT component of Foundation Studies identifies and equips students with the computer skills needed to achieve success in their college studies.

In Year 2, students take two elective modules from a range of areas that may include: Gender Studies, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Information Technology (IT) and Léann Dúchais (Irish Heritage Studies). MIC are also introducing a number of electives in education which will be particularly suited to those who wish to pursue a career in teaching.

Undergraduate Dissertation

In your final year, you will complete an Undergraduate Dissertation in one of your major subjects. This is a unique opportunity to complete an extended piece of research and analysis in your chosen topic, designed with guidance and direction from an academic supervisor in your chosen subject. The undergraduate research dissertation will develop your research and analytical skills with a view to employment or further study.

Note: Students of Psychology must undertake their undergraduate dissertation in Psychology, either singly or jointly with their other major subject.

School Leavers

Applicants are required to hold the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include Mathematics, Gaeilge or another language, and English.

Applicants must obtain:

• Grade H5 on a Higher Level paper in at least two subjects
• Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects (Higher or Ordinary Level)

Minimum Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics satisfies the minimum entry requirements (Foundation Mathematics is not reckonable for scoring purposes).

Additional Course Requirements:

• Students opting to study Gaeilge are normally required to hold at least grade H5 in the Leaving Certificate or an approved equivalent.
• For Music, there is no formal entrance examination but prospective students must have a satisfactory standard of music literacy and the ability to play an instrument and/or sing.
• Students wishing to study Spanish (advanced) must meet the University of Limerick’s entrance requirements for this subject. For further information please refer to the UL website: www.ul.ie/courses/Spanish.php
• Students wishing to study Economics must hold an O4 or H7 grade in Mathematics.

Additional special qualifications specific to individual subjects or disciplines may be determined by the respective departments in accordance with Academic Council regulations.

Language Waivers: Please contact the MIC Access Office for information on Language Exemptions granted on disability grounds; Access/Disability Officer Maura Moore is available on +353 61 204927 / Maura.Moore@mic.ul.ie. Deadlines apply.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Link modules will be accepted for points purposes but they will not qualify as a subject for matriculation purposes.

GCE/GCSE Applicants

For further information about minimum grades and entry requirements, click here or please contact the MIC Admissions Office at E: Admissions@mic.ul.ie.

Mature Applicants

If you are at least 23 years old on 1 January of the year of entry to college, you are considered as a mature applicant. 

Mature applicants wishing to apply for MI002 must apply for entry through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and 1 February is the normal deadline for applications through CAO; late applications may be accepted up to 1 May.

Applicants applying to MIC on the grounds of ‘Mature Years’ for entry in September 2019 are not required to complete a separate Mature Supplementary Form for this programme, however applicants must fully complete all sections of the CAO application, including Mature Applicant sections 1-11, and in addition submit a Personal Statement to the Admissions Office. See Personal Statement Guidelines.

Key 2019 CAO Dates for Mature Applicants

• 5 November 2018: CAO online application facility opens
• 20 January 2019: Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30
• 1 February 2019: Normal closing date for applications
• 1 May 2019: Closing date for late applications
• 6 May 2019: Online change of mind facility becomes available (free of charge)
• 13 May 2019: Online change of mind closing date for MIC mature application assessment

The CAO has a video guide for Mature Applicants wishing to apply, and it can be accessed here.

Interview/Written Test

All mature applicants will be invited to attend for interview and short written test.  Mature applicants who do not meet the normal minimum entry requirements may be considered for admission, if, having attended for interview and written test they satisfy the College Authorities as to their ability to benefit from and sustain the programme.

Offer of Place

Mature students who have completed an interview and written test will be contacted by the College to indicate whether or not they are being offered a place, and all places will then be offered by the CAO.

Further Information

For further information about applying as a mature applicant, please contact the MIC Admissions Office on +353 61 204348 / 204929 or email Admissions@mic.ul.ie. 

Foundation Certificate for Mature Learners

This programme is aimed at mature learners who wish to continue their education. Students achieving a merit on the Foundation Certificate will be offered a place on the Bachelor of Arts (MI002) in MIC, subsequent to completion of a CAO form and supplementary form before 1 February. For further information, click here or contact the MIC Admissions on T+353 61 204348 or E: Admissions@mic.ul.ie

Special Entry Route for QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants

A limited number of places per year will be awarded to applicants through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), which gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place on a higher education programme. Entry requirements vary for each degree programme.

Please see this Quick Guide for more information on the entry requirements for each of MIC’s programmes (page 14-25).

International Applicants

For further information about applying as an international applicant, click here; for International Fees, click here. 

You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying on +353 61 204328 /  774790.