Irish and Spanish BA

Students on this course will receive intensive tuition in Irish and Spanish. You may also chose from a wide range of modules relating to Irish culture and society such as film-making, the short story, poetry, Gaelic identity, mythology and Scottish Gaelic, as well as a wide variety of literary, historical, social, cultural and linguistic aspects of Spanish-speaking countries across the globe. The degree takes four years to complete (which includes the study abroad year).

Celtic Studies students are the happiest graduates in UK (The Times, 2023)

Irish and Spanish highlights

Global Opportunities

After Stage 2, you will spend an academic year working or studying in a Spanish-speaking country. Students have the possibility to go to Spain and Latin America and the choice to teach, study, complete a work placement, or volunteer. All students receive training focused directly on living and working/studying abroad.

Industry Links

We have former students in senior positions in most Irish language sectors and we maintain good links with media production companies, the translation sector and language promotion agencies. Students have the option of doing a work placement in final year.

World Class Facilities

Queen’s has an excellent library for Irish materials and an outstanding collection of resources relating to Ireland, Spain and Latin America.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Queen’s has world-leading experts in the history of the Irish language and literature and in Spanish and Latin American literature and culture. Languages research at Queen’s was ranked 3rd in the UK in REF 2014 for Research Intensity.

Student Experience

The Irish student society, An Cumann Gaelach, is one of the biggest in QUB. The society is extremely active and holds a range of events and activities each year (annual festival, Irish classes, concerts, annual dinner-dance, etc.) https://www.facebook.com/ancumanngaelachqub

Further Study Opportunities

Students completing this course may proceed to the MRes which is a research preparation degree, allowing students to explore in depth a topic of their choice. It is an ideal preparation for PhD research. Other PG courses of possible interest for graduates of Irish include the MA in Arts Management and the MA in Translation

Student Experience

Strong emphasis on Irish language and culture. Students complete 4 hours of language per week (interactive classes based on the national syllabus for Irish)

Irish has a bespoke online platform for language learning called Learning Branch (this contains a range of subject-specific language tasks and mirrors content in language modules)

Students have a unique opportunity to engage with native speakers through attendance at an annual Gaeltacht residential in Rannafast, Donegal. The course lasts 3 weeks at takes place at the end of both Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Spanish is 7th in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.

Students can study Spanish from Beginner level, post AS level, and post A level.

Spanish and Portuguese Society: Students can get involved in a vibrant student network that organizes activities throughout the year (e.g. tapas nights, language intercambios) and includes many ERASMUS students at Queen’s as well.