Queen's University Belfast

Irish Studies

Irish Studies is a broad field of area studies utilising a range of disciplines to explore holistically the history, culture and society of the island of Ireland and its global relationships.

The modules available reflect the range of Irish Studies expertise across the university, and are designed to enable students to undertake research across a wide range of themes in and approaches to Irish Studies, to obtain research methods training in one or more disciplines, and to prepare to write a major dissertation in their chosen field of specialisation.

The aims of the programme are:
• To enable graduates to undertake interdisciplinary postgraduate studies in Irish Studies and gain various benefits:
• An advanced appreciation of the value of interdisciplinarity in Irish Studies.
• An advanced understanding and experience of relevant research methods and skills.
• An advanced appreciation of the value of academic approaches to some issues of historical and cultural debate and of contemporary public concern in Ireland.
• A deepened knowledge of specific themes in Irish Studies reflecting the student's personal interests and research agenda.

For current general University entry requirements for this pathway go to http://www.qub.ac.uk/ado

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject with evidence of study of Ireland, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants who hold a 2.2 Honours degree in a relevant subject with evidence of study of Ireland or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, who can also demonstrate relevant professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL).

Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy for more information.

Applicants may be required to submit a piece of written work in support of their application.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year full-time or 3 years part-time.

Morning and afternoon classes

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
Students of the Institute of Irish Studies go on to pursue careers not only as scholars, but also in a wide range of occupations, including the media, in the heritage sector, public administration and in business.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Professional Opportunities
Our students have found employment in the media, in the heritage sector and tourism, in business and in university administration, particularly in study abroad services.

Further enquiries

Professor Peter Gray, Professor
School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics - Professor History
email: p.h.gray@qub.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)28 9097 3433, +44 (0)28 9097 5226

Subjects taught

All students take the following core module:
IRS7011: 'Belfast: Place, Identity and Memory in a Contested City' offers a unique introduction to Irish Studies through the study of Belfast - Ireland's second city and the capital of Northern Ireland – its history, culture and society, and relationship to the rest of the island and the wider world.

AND
Student must choose at least ONE research methods course from the list below:
ANT7007 – Advanced Anthropological Methods - Spring Semester
ENG7163 - Literary Research Methods - Autumn Semester
HAP7001 – Approaches and Debates in Research Design – Autumn Semester
MHY7020 – Becoming an Historian – Autumn Semester
SOC9012 – Approaches to Social Research – Autumn Semester

Course Details
The MA is arranged into a number of core and optional modules (courses).

Detailed Programme Information
For detailed programme information please see the Irish Studies Gateway: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/IrishStudiesGateway/

Dissertation
Dissertation
IRS7010 - Irish Studies Dissertation (triple weighted) - a 15,000 word piece of original research supervised by a specialist member of staff

Elective Modules
Students choose FOUR optional modules, under guidance from the Programme Director, from a list of those relevant to Irish Studies from across the faculty. These currently include:

ANT7008 – Advanced Anthropological Perspectives– Autumn Semester
ANT7053 - MA Specialisation (Anthropology of Ireland) – Spring Semester
ENG7261 – Reading Historically: The Irish Novel in the 20th Century - Spring Semester
ENG7305 - Irish Poetry - Spring Semester
FLM7012 - Political Conflict and Form in Cinema – Autumn Semester
MHY7011 - Individually Negotiated Topic in History - Autumn Semester
MHY7025 - Presenting Sources - Spring Semester
MHY7035 - Theory in History - Spring Semester
MHY7077 - Public History Internship (with placement in a museum/heritage centre in Northern Ireland) - Spring Semester
MHY7081 - Topics in Irish History - Spring Semester
MHY7090 - Pathways Through History - Autumn Semester
PAI7021 - The Politics of Northern Ireland - Autumn Semester
PAI7022 - Politics of the Republic of Ireland - Spring Semester
PAI7027 - Conflict Intervention – Spring Semester
PAI7028 - Violence, Terrorism and Security - Autumn Semester
SOC9062 - Conflict & Change in Northern Ireland AND SOC9069 – University Research and Civil Society– Spring Semester

Modules from other programmes may be selected with the approval of the programme director.

Some options may require that particular methods courses be taken or the student to have a particular academic background. The dissertation may be supervised by Institute staff or, subject to the agreement of the Head of School, by members of co-operating academic departments.

For detailed programme information please see the Irish Studies Gateway: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/IrishStudiesGateway/

Part-time Students
Part-Time Students
Part-time students complete three taught modules in Year 1, three taught modules in Year 2, and submit their dissertation by May of Year 3.

Comment

Irish Studies highlights

Internationally Renowned Experts
• The MA in Irish Studies is unique in offering a broad range of options in the social sciences as well as the humanities, making our programme truly interdisciplinary.
• There are more than 70 teaching and research staff in the university who specialise in Irish Studies related subjects and who work closely with the Institute.

Student Experience
• The Institute is the oldest centre for Irish Studies research in the world (founded in 1965), and has strong links with Irish Studies centres and programmes in Ireland, the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada and Australasia.
• The Institute hosts a lively research culture featuring regular seminars, conferences, workshops and reading groups in which postgraduates are encouraged to participate.
• Queen's has world-class resources for research in Irish Studies and collaborates closely with many partner institutions and organisations in Northern Ireland and beyond.
• The MA in Irish Studies at Queen's provides students with an unrivalled opportunity to examine Ireland in its global contexts, with options from Literature, History, Politics, Conflict Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology. The MA allows students to pursue challenging cross-disciplinary themes such as heritage and identities, language and arts, peace and conflict, reflecting the rich cultural legacy of Ireland across the world.
• Students can explore the possibilities and opportunities in interdisciplinary work in one of the world's leading centres of Irish Studies research.
•The MA in Irish Studies at Queen's provides students with an unrivalled opportunity to examine Ireland in its global contexts. With options from Literature, History, Politics, Anthropology, and Sociology. The MA allows students to pursue challenging cross-disciplinary themes such as heritage and identities, language and arts, peace and conflict, reflecting the rich cultural legacy of Ireland across the world. Students will explore the possibilities and opportunities in interdisciplinary work in one of the world's leading centres of Irish Studies research.
•Based in Belfast, we have unrivalled access to the people that were part of the Peace Process in Northern Ireland.
•The Institute supports a series of weekly research seminars and a number of annual research events in Irish Studies.

Assessment method

Taught modules are usually assessed by a combination of written assignments and class participation. Students who have reached a pass in these will submit a dissertation (not exceeding 15,000 words).

A combination of written assignments and class participation. Students who have reached a pass in these will submit a dissertation (not exceeding 15,000 words).

Written language assignments

Creative practice

Dissertation (not exceeding 15,000 words) or practice as research project, which will include a critical reflection of approximately 3,500 words