Tertiary degree · Level 8 · Humanities

BA (Honours) in Politics, Society and Media starting in Ballyfermot, Dublin

A new four-year degree on how politics, society and the media shape each other. It mixes practical and academic modules with work placements. It suits students who care about social issues and want to communicate and campaign.

How tertiary degrees work: you apply directly to the further education college, not through the CAO, and you don't need CAO points. You start in the further education college and then move on to the university or technological university to finish the full degree. Applications usually open early in the year; 2026 closing dates ranged from March to May.

Key facts

How long
4 years full-time (Years 1-2 in further education, Years 3-4 at TU Dublin)
Award
BA (Honours) in Politics, Society and Media (TU Dublin); QQI Level 5 Certificate after Year 1
Where you study
  • Years 1–2: City of Dublin FET College Ballyfermot, Southwest Campus, Dublin → Years 3–4: TU Dublin (School of Media)

Entry requirements

  • Leaving Cert with five subjects at O6/H7, or four at O6 plus LCVP with a distinction
  • Or Leaving Cert Applied with a distinction
  • Or a QQI Level 4 award with at least a distinction
  • Mature applicants (23 or over on 1 January of the application year) welcome, possibly with interview
  • Interview at the further education college; no prior knowledge of politics or media needed
  • B2 English for non-native speakers (not needed with a full Irish QQI Level 5/6 award)

How to apply

2027 application link not yet published – check the NTO page. Apply directly to the college, not through the CAO. Apply directly to the further education college through the fetchcourses.ie link, not through the CAO.

Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Politics, public policy and decision-making
  • Social structures, inequality and social change
  • The media, communication and advocacy
  • Hands-on research on real issues
  • Work placement in Year 1 and again in Year 3

Where it can lead

  • Communication, policy and advocacy roles
  • Administrative careers in politics and public administration
  • Civic society and NGOs
  • Media careers
  • Further study: MA in Journalism, Public Relations or Political Communication

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Politics and Society, History, Languages

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

This degree is also offered starting in

Apprenticeships in Journalism and Information

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test → Try the free 3-minute test

Information from the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie), checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.