UCD College of Arts and Humanities

University College Dublin

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UCD is the largest English-speaking university in Europe. Located close to the city-centre, it is the ideal destination for your postgraduate courses, with a beautiful campus, unrivalled range of MA’s and world-class teaching and facilities. UCD is in the top 1% of universities worldwide and #1 for Employability. UCD Arts & Humanities is a leading centre for research, creative practice and innovation, with 240 world-class teachers and scholars, 2,500 students, 7 Schools and the Clinton Institute for American Studies. UCD Arts & Humanities is where a rich academic heritage meets bold, forward-thinking futures. Our academic excellence is reflected in our world rankings: 41st for English Literature & Language and the Top 100 for History and Performing Arts (QS World University Rankings, 2025). As an MA student at UCD you will have direct access to UCD’s extensive range of unique literary, creative and cultural resources, archives and collections.

Why study at the UCD College of Arts and Humanities?

Top ranking College: 41st for English Literature & Language; 92 for Arts and Humanities; Top 100 for History and Performing Arts (QS World Rankings 2025)

Inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, where your voice is heard, your research matters and your future is supported.

Extensive cultural heritage collections and state of the art facilities on a beautiful modern campus.

Unbeatable choice of Masters: 33 dedicated courses on offer.

UCD is ranked #1 in Ireland for Employability, with a dedicated Career Network and globally connected alumni community.

12,000 UCD

postgraduate students

31

courses

6

Scholarships at this university listed on FindAMasters

118th

globally for UCD in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The College of Arts and Humanities is ranked 92nd.

Dublin Ireland

main campus

About the UCD College of Arts and Humanities

We are home to seven individual Schools: Art History & Cultural Policy, Classics, English, Drama & Film, History, Irish Celtic Studies & Folklore, Languages Cultures & Linguistics, Music and the Clinton Institute for American Studies.

Flagship MA’s include:

Our study and library facilities are excellent. Our extensive cultural heritage collections include:

We enjoy close partnership with the UCD Humanities Institute, the Museum of Literature Ireland, and the Creative Futures Academy .

As an MA student at UCD, you will be part of a warm, inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, where your voice is heard, your research matters and your future is supported. You will get to work with and learn from the top-ranking professors. Our faculty is committed to enabling you to realise your potential and to thrive academically. They will challenge you to engage in research-informed debate and analysis and to approach complex issues with a creative and open mind. Our research excellence, impact and engagement demonstrate our real-world relevance of our subjects in today’s rapidly changing work environment.

We are proud of our Irish roots and our global reach built through our international student community, the work of our faculty and the impact and diverse graduate destination. As highlighted by our rankings, we are recognised nationally and internationally for innovation and excellence in teaching and research, as well as for our contribution to intellectual and cultural life in Ireland and abroad. UCD is Number 1 for Employability in Ireland. We place a strong emphasis on employability. Through specialist modules, mentoring, alumni networking, and industry links, we help students prepare for diverse careers in education, the arts, media, heritage, public policy and cultural industries.

View the prospectus for the UCD College of Arts and Humanities

Student life at the UCD College of Arts and Humanities

At UCD, you will join a globally connected graduate community of ambitious, creative and curious students. Our MA programmes attract students from Ireland, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

UCD’s campus is modern, green and student-focused, with libraries, cafes, a student centre and performance venues all easily accessible. As an Arts and Humanities MA student, you will join a welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant community. With small class sizes, you will build close working relationships with world-class lecturers and fellow students alike. You will also have access to dedicated graduate facilities, including exclusive study rooms and offices, unparalleled archive access, dynamic academic forums, networking events, and alumni mentoring.

Thanks to UCD’s proximity to the city centre you will be in easy reach of Dublin’s dynamic cultural heartbeat. From literary festivals to live music and world-class museums to theatres and archives, the capital city enjoys an action-packed cultural calendar right through the year.

What’s more, our strong links to creative and cultural industries provide valuable connections for students planning careers in Ireland and beyond.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a background in the subject to apply?

Most programmes require an undergraduate degree in a related field, but we welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds, especially for interdisciplinary MAs. Each course page outlines entry requirements in detail.

What student support services are available?

UCD provides academic, personal and career support services including writing centres, counselling, peer mentoring and graduate career services. You will also have access to our International Office, which provides visa, housing and orientation support.

What kind of careers do UCD Arts & Humanities graduates pursue?

Our graduates work in a wide range of sectors including education, media, publishing, public policy, cultural heritage, and the arts. Many go on to PhDs or further study. Our MA programmes build transferable skills in critical thinking, communication and research, highly valued across industries.

What’s life like on campus?

UCD’s leafy campus offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful environment for study and direct access to city life. Facilities include cinemas, the new state-of-the-art Trapdoor theatre and media lab, archives and libraries. In addition UCD houses a gym, a 50m pool, cafés, student accommodation, and social areas. It’s a great place to live, learn and connect.

What funding or scholarships are available?

UCD offers a range of scholarships for international and domestic students. The College also supports funded research opportunities through specific projects and external bodies. Learn more on our scholarships page.

Register your interest with the UCD College of Arts and Humanities

Main campus

University College Dublin

Dublin

Ireland

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