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BACHELOR OF ARTS
Whether you’re passionate about literature, music, languages, philosophy, or culture, our Bachelor of Arts degree gives you choice and flexibility. Choose MH101 to shape your own academic journey.
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- Qualification
- Bachelor Of Arts Degree
- CAO Points
- 300
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH101
- Award Type and NFQ level
- UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
- Study Mode
- Full time
- Closing Date
- 01 February 2026
Overview
Build your degree around the future you want with the Bachelor of Arts degree (MH101) at Maynooth University.
A highly-versatile degree, MH101 offers you a choice of over 30 subjects. You can explore your options and discover your strengths – on your own terms.
Choose from over 30 subjects
With so many subjects to choose from, our Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree can take you in lots of exciting and rewarding directions.
From anthropology to accounting, mathematics to music technology, Chinese studies to criminology, your subject choices shape your unique pathway.
Try out subjects and change your mind
Our BA degree is ideal if you are not yet sure what career path you would like to follow.
Most arts subjects do not require any previous knowledge. At the start of first year, there is a 4 week window during which you can try out up to 4 subjects.
This gives you plenty of time to see what you think before deciding which subject combination suits you best.
The flexibility to define your own path
Studying arts lets you keep your interests broad until you discover what you enjoy.
From your first semester, you can tailor your degree to your interests and even your future career goals.
And if you are not sure what those goals are yet? It is the perfect degree to help you learn just what your strengths, interests and ambitions may be.
Essential skills for your future
Did you know that critical thinking, creativity, and communication are among the top skills employers expect from graduates? With MH101, you will gain these expertise and more:
- critical thinking: analyse problems from different angles, useful in all careers
- communication: write and speak persuasively and precisely, the top skill employers demand
- research and analysis: find and evaluate information in an age of misinformation
- cultural awareness: navigate global organisations, diverse teams and international markets
- empathy and people skills: understand human behaviour, essential for leadership and communication roles
- creativity and innovation: approach challenges with originality, the main skill AI cannot replicate
Choose MH101 to shape the future you want.
The Maynooth University Difference
Erasmus & Study Abroad
Spend a semester or year abroad and stand out with languages, culture and global perspective
97% of BA Arts grads employed or in further study
Our arts graduates are preferred by employers
Alumni Mentoring Programme
Connect with working Maynooth University graduates who share your background and can guide your career journey
Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research
SPUR is a paid active research based experiential learning programme
Course structure
Duration: 3 years (BA) or 4 years (BA International)
First year (60 credits)
32 MH101 subjects timetabled into 6 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.
- Double subjects have a 30 credit option in first year. You can take 2 double subjects in first year, but only one subject from each timetable group. You should only take 2 double subjects if you are really sure of your subject choices.
- 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 first year (groups 1 and 3).
- Most subjects require no previous knowledge - exceptions Mathematics (Pure), Music and Nua-Ghaeilge.
- If you are taking Statistics in first year you must also take Mathematical Studies or Mathematics (Pure).
- Optional first year only 15 credit Critical Skills courses can be taken with any subject combination.
- *30 credit option in some subjects: These subjects are marked with an asterisk*. Some double subject options cannot be taken together.
- **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 - note that Music in group 2 is only available when choosing Music in group 5 (30 credit double Music)
- Nua-Ghaeilge in group 3 - note that Nua-Ghaeilge in group 3 is only available when choosing Nua-Ghaeilge in group 4 (30 credit double Nua-Ghaeilge)
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.
Read more about the Programme Advisory Office.
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 Creative Writing and English | MH111 |
| BSc Quantitative Finance | MH402 |
| BA Accounting and Finance | MH403 |
| Single Major BBS or BBA (Business and Management / International Business / Marketing / Business and Global Cultures) | MH404 |
| BBA/BBS Business and Accounting | MH407 |
| BBA Business and Languages | MH409 |
| BA Finance (NEW) | MH410 |
| BSc Economics | MH415 |
| BA International Economics | 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 (with award pathways in Software Engineering and Interactive Digital Media) NEW | MH604 |
Erasmus/Study Abroad option after second year.
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
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 University BA graduates develop their careers include:
- Human resources & training
- Finance
- Psychology
- Law
- Marketing & advertising
- Business
- Publishing & information
- Librarianship
- Teaching – primary & post-primary
- 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
MH101 Alumni
Where will MH101 bring you
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“The strong foundations provided by MU allowed me to seamlessly progress into my professional career, and I am currently working as a TV Sports Reporter and Anchor for Virgin Media Sport.”
Seán O'Regan, TV Sports Reporter and Anchor, Virgin Media Sport
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Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Applicants
Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, third language.
Round 1 points 2026: First applicant = 625 points / Last applicant = 300 points
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.
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 |
Mathematics |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
Science |
No |
N/A |
N/A |
* This course requires 3 additional subjects.
How to apply
CAO application - minimum entry requirements for MH101
Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, third language.
- Choose MH101 on your CAO application.
- Choose your BA subjects (2, 3 or 4) when you register in September 2027. You will have up to four weeks to change your mind on your subjects.
Most BA 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
If you do not have a third language, consider the QQI route into MH101.
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.