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First Year Student Frequently asked questions
The mainstay undergraduate programme of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies is the BA (Omnibus) degree. This is a programme based around full academic subjects, within which there are various core and optional modules. Students are required to take four subjects in First Arts, and to take two of these to Second Year and to complete the BA with these two subjects in Final Arts.
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There are two Semesters in the year. Semester 1 begins in September and ends in December,
Semester 2 begins in January and ends in April. One academic course/module in each Semester is assessed by end-of-Semester examinations in December and in April, with repeat opportunities in May. Continuous assessment may also form part of these modules. A third course/module which will run for the entire academic year will be examined solely by Continuous Assessment. There are no August Examinations.
Students choose four (4) subjects, not more than one (1) from any of the following groups:
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Group 1 |
Group 2 |
Group 3 |
Group 4 |
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Archaeology |
Legal Science |
Classics |
English |
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French |
Psychology / Psychological Studies |
Geography |
Economics |
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Mathematics / Mathematical Studies |
Celtic Civilization |
German |
Childrens Studies
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Human Rights |
Irish Studies |
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Film Studies |
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Womens Studies |
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Group 5 |
Group 6 |
Group 7 |
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Sociological & Political Studies |
History |
Gaeilge |
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Information Technology |
Applied Mathematics |
Italian |
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Welsh |
Spanish |
Philosophy |
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Léann an Aistriúcháin |
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Creative Writing |
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Theatre and Performance
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NB: Subjects in Italics are part of the BA CONNECT Programmes only and may not be taken by students on the BA (Omnibus) programme (GY101)
What is the difference between the BA (Omnibus) and the BA (International)?
The BA (Omnibus) is a full-time programme normally offered over three years. There is also a four-year variant, the BA (International), where a student completes a year abroad in their third year of study, before returning to complete Final Arts the following year.
Are there restrictions on taking any subjects into second year?
The BA (Omnibus) programme, being subject-based in its first year, requires students entering Second Arts to have completed four subjects in their first year. Students are obliged to carry through Second and Final Year, two subjects out of the four subjects engaged and passed in First Arts. Normally, a Pass in First Arts in a given subject entitles a student to proceed to Second Arts in that subject except in the following circumstances (please refer to University undergraduate Prospectus for complete details):
| 1 |
A pass at First Arts in Beginners’ German, Léann an Aistriúcháin, Legal Science and Psychology does not guarantee admission to Second Arts in those subjects. Students are advised to consult the regulations governing admission to Second Arts in those subjects as set out in the Calendar and also to consult the departments concerned. A combination of two or more subjects in which progression to Second Arts is restricted, may not be taken in First Arts. The combination of any two of the above subjects may not therefore be engaged. |
| 2 |
Only students obtaining at least 50 per cent in Beginners’ German will be admitted to Second Arts German. Students not reaching this standard in German may be admitted to the Second Arts course in the subject if they satisfy the relevant Department as to their competence in the subject having spent a second year taking the subject at First Arts level or following a relevant period of residence abroad as specified by the Department. |
| 3 |
Students registering for Modern Languages or Gaeilge should note that they will be required to pass (40% or higher) the language component of the subject (in addition to passing the subject overall) in order to progress to Second Arts in that subject. |
| 4 |
Students obtaining honours in First Arts Applied Mathematics may proceed to Second Arts Applied Mathematics at honours level. Students obtaining pass in First Arts Applied Mathematics as a subject may proceed to Second Arts Applied Mathematical Science at pass level. |
| 5 |
The subject Mathematical Studies commences in Second year. Students having a clear pass in First year Mathematics (Honours course) or a sufficient standard in First year Mathematics (Pass Course), may be invited by the department of Mathematics to consider this subject, in which a pass or honours grade may be awarded on the merit of the marks attained. |
| 6 |
A pass in either of the subjects Mathematics or Applied Mathematics is a prerequisite for admission to Second Year Applied Mathematical Science. |
| 7 |
There are limits in the numbers of students admitted to Second Arts in Legal Science (100) and Psychological Studies (100). Places for Legal Science will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student’s first year of attendance (2009-10), where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects outright (40% or higher). Places for Psychological Studies will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student's first year of attendance (2009-10), where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects outright (40% or higher). |
Are there class-size limits in some subjects in first year?
A class limit of 120 places operates in Information Technology in First Arts; places are offered in the first week of registration.
Are there class-size limits in some subjects in second year?
There are limits in the numbers of students admitted to Second Arts in Legal Science (100). Places will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student’s first year of attendance (2009-10), where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects outright (40% or higher). There are limits in the numbers of students admitted to Second Arts in Psychological Studies (100). Places will be decided on academic merit, based on the results of the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student’s first year of attendance (2009-10), where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects outright (40% or higher).
Italian, German, Spanish and Welsh - do I need prior knowledge of these languages if I take them as First Arts subjects?
Italian, German, Spanish and Welsh may be taken at First Arts without previous knowledge of those languages. Welsh is only available as a First Arts subject.
How do I study Psychology to degree level?
Two separate degree programmes are offered for applicants through the C.A.O. system:
(1) B A (Psychology) - CAO code GY104
(2) B A (Omnibus entry) - CAO code GY101
The subject Psychology is offered at First Arts of the BA Degree (Omnibus Entry - CAO Code GY101). Students of the BA (Omnibus- GY101) who successfully complete Psychology at First Arts may proceed to Second Arts with the subject Psychological Studies and one other of the subjects successfully completed at First Arts (refer progression rules above). Students of the BA CONNECT programmes (GY110, GY111, GY114, GY115) who successfully complete Psychology at First Arts may proceed to Second Arts with the subject Psychological Studies (refer progression rules above), one other of the subjects successfully completed at First Arts and their specialism. There is a cap of 100 places in entering Second Arts in Psychological Studies, which is decided on merit-order of the results of the First Arts Examination and is based on the results of the First Sitting of the First Arts Examinations in the students first year of attendance, where the student must have passed all four First Arts subjects outright (40% or higher).
The subject Psychology is offered as a double subject in Second and Final Arts of the BA (Psychology) – CAO Code GY104, to students who entered that programme and completed First Year successfully. Places (15) may be awarded to students to transfer from the BA Degree (Omnibus Entry) only and will be decided on academic merit, based on the results obtained at the First Sittings (Semester 1 and Semester 2) of the First Arts Examinations in the student’s first year of attendance, where the student must have passed First Arts by passing all four subjects outright (40% or higher). There will be no facility for repeating the Examination with a view to obtaining a Second Year place.
When and how are my subjects examined ?
Each subject is modularised (i.e. subdivided into modules) and in First Arts there are three modules. The marks achieved in these three modules will be aggregated to provide a subject result. Subjects must be passed at 40% or higher. Please refer also to special requirements for subjects with restricted entry to Second Arts. There will be Examinations at Christmas, 15th to 18th December (Semester 1) and at the end of the academic year, 20th to 23rd April (Semester 2). There will also be continuous assessment in each subject throughout the year. As at least one module in each of your subjects will be assessed by means of continuous assessment only, attendance and participation at lectures is extremely important to success.
What happens if I fail some modules?
Repeat exams will be held 18th May – 21st May for failed Semester 1 modules and from 25th May to 28th May for failed Semester 2 modules.
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: +353 (0)91 493954 Fax: +353 (0)91 495508 E-mail: collegearts
nuigalway.ie
This page was last updated Thursday, May 12, 2011
