BA English and Irish at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

English and Irish explores the literatures and languages of both traditions, from Anglo-Saxon writing to contemporary Anglo-Irish, British and global literatures, alongside the Irish language as a medium for education, music, literature, drama and television. Students use a multimedia Language Centre and the Seamus Heaney Centre, and Irish has its own online learning platform.

Department: School of Arts, English and Languages | Duration: 3 years full-time (two periods of residence in the Gaeltacht between years 1-2 and 2-3) | Intake: Academic year 2027/28 (UCAS) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules include English in Transition, Issues in Contemporary Fiction: Gender, Race, Ecology and Introduction to English Language (20 credits each), plus Gaeilge 1 (40 credits); an optional module is Celtic Mythology (20 credits).

Career pathways

Students can progress to cognate postgraduate study such as MA English Literary Studies, MA Poetry, MA Creative Writing, MSc Software Development (conversion), MLaw (conversion) or a PGCE, or the MRes in Arts and Humanities. Queen's Degree Plus award accredits extra-curricular skills.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A level: ABB including A-level English and Irish (AS English at grade A acceptable in lieu of A-level English). A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts in the portfolio (Distinction* = A, Distinction = B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level H3 in English and Higher Level H3 in Irish. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree. Access courses, BTEC Extended Diplomas and HNC/HND considered if subject requirements for English and Irish are met. Offers are normally based on three A-levels; candidates are not normally interviewed. Typically five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above including English Language (last year's intake); GCSE English Language grade C/4 required. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate for 2027/28 entry. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time (two periods of residence in the Gaeltacht between years 1-2 and 2-3)

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