Bachelor of Arts

Designed to give students the freedom to explore a wide range of subjects, shape your degree around your own interests and career aspirations.

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Qualification: Bachelor of Arts Degree
CAO Points: XXX - YYY
CAO/MU Apply code: MH101
Award: Undergraduate Degree (8)

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Overview

The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree - MH101

MH101: one of the varied degree programmes offered by the MU Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

With almost 1,800 undergraduate students enrolled in 2024 - 25, the MU Faculty of Arts and Humanities reflects a thriving global academic community. The Faculty is proud to be ranked in the Top 500 worldwide for Arts & Humanities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 - a testament to excellence in teaching, learning, and research.

MH101 students enjoy a wide and flexible Bachelor of Arts degree, which includes over 30 subjects, allowing for personalised and interdisciplinary study paths. Whether you're passionate about literature, music, languages, philosophy, or culture, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University is a dynamic place to begin your academic journey.

32 MH101 subjects are timetabled in 6 groups and you can choose 2, 3 or 4 subjects in 1st year - maximum 1 subject per group.
Choose MH101 on your CAO application. Choose your MH101 subjects (2, 3 or 4) when you register in MU in September 2026. You will have up to four weeks to change your mind on your subjects.
Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language.
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.
Flexible second year pathways and lots of choice are also part of what makes the MH101 degree so appealing to our applicants.
Erasmus/Study Abroad option after 2nd year.

How it works

Choose your first year mix (60 credits)

Pick 2–4 subjects from six timetable groups, with a maximum of one subject per group. Some subjects have a 30-credit option or a beginners’ route.

Shape your pathway in year 2

Decide whether to keep studying two subjects (Double Major), focus on one (Single Major), or balance both (Major/Minor).

Progress to specialist degrees or study abroad

Your subject choices can lead to named degrees, professional routes, or an Erasmus or international year abroad.

Learn flexibly, supported by experts

Enjoy a flexible timetable, small-group teaching, and guidance from the Programme Advisory Office as you build your own degree.

In pictures

Course structure

Subject Timetable
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

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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, with the option to change your mind for up to 4 weeks after registering.
Choose 2 or 3 or 4 subjects, with a maximum of 1 subject per group due to timetabling of subjects.
Double subjects have a 30 credit option in 1st year. You can take 2 double subjects in 1st year, but only one subject from each timetable group due to timetabling of subjects. You should only take 2 double subjects if you are really sure of your subject choices.
Subjects requiring 30 credits include 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, with exceptions being Mathematics (Pure), Music and Nua-Ghaeilge.
Group 7 is only relevant to students taking the optional extra 15 credits available in Anthropology, Computer Science, History, International Development and 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.

Second and final year content

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

Hear from our students

From first lectures to final year milestones, our students talk about their journeys, the friends they’ve made, and the moments that shaped their time at Maynooth University.

My English degree gave me the ability to analyse, write, and think creatively.

“From the first day, I felt part of a community that really values creativity. There’s always someone around to share ideas or offer feedback.”

Emily Walsh, English Graduate

Studying English at Maynooth inspired me to become a teacher.

“Studying English at Maynooth University gave me the confidence to express my ideas and think independently.

James O’Neill, English Graduate

Entry Requirements

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirments table
Subject	Required	Ordinary Level Grade	Higher Level Gradee
Irish	Yes	O6	H7
English	Yes	O6	H7
Language	Yes	O6	H7
Math	No	N/A	N/A
Science	No	N/A	N/A

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How to apply

Minimum requirements

Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language.

Choose MH101 on your CAO application.
Choose your BA subjects (2, 3 or 4) when you register in September 2026. 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.

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Bachelor of Arts

Overview