English, Drama & Film BA

At University College Dublin, the BA in English, Drama & Film places strong emphasis on learning by doing. Alongside academic study, students gain hands-on experience through performance-based classes, cultural engagement, and real-world opportunities that connect theory with practice. Purpose-built facilities, rich library resources, and strong links to Ireland’s arts and media sector ensure students graduate with practical skills, confidence, and professional awareness — and this is brought together through experiences such as:

• Practice-based drama modules that focus on acting, physical theatre, staging performance, and creative collaboration in workshop-style classes

• Organised theatre visits to major professional events such as the Dublin Theatre Festival and Dublin Fringe Festival, allowing students to engage directly with contemporary performance

• On-campus cinema facilities used for film study and screening, supporting in-depth analysis of cinema across genres, periods, and cultures

• Optional third-year internships available through the Arts and Humanities internship pathway, enabling students to gain workplace experience in media, publishing, arts organisations, communications, and cultural institutions

• Group projects and seminar-based learning that encourage discussion, collaboration, and critical debate across literature, drama, and film

• Extensive research resources through the James Joyce Library, including specialist collections in literature, film, theatre, and media studies to support essays and final-year dissertations

• Student societies such as Drama Society and Film Society, offering additional opportunities to perform, produce, analyse, and engage creatively outside the classroom

Graduates of the BA in English, Drama & Film at University College Dublin leave with highly transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, research, and creativity. These strengths open doors to roles such as journalist or content writer, media and communications executive, arts or cultural coordinator, and secondary or further education teacher, while also allowing graduates to move confidently into business, public service, and creative industries:

• Career support at UCD – Students are supported by the UCD Careers Network, which offers one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview support, skills workshops, careers fairs, employer talks, and a structured mentoring programme that connects students with experienced graduates working in relevant fields

• Internships and real-world experience – Through UCD’s academic internship pathways, students can gain valuable workplace experience during their degree, helping them build professional networks and strengthen their employability before graduation

• Graduate employability and outcomes – UCD consistently reports strong graduate outcomes, with arts and humanities graduates progressing into employment or further study across media, education, publishing, communications, cultural organisations, and public sector roles

• International recognition and long-term value – This programme awards an NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor of Arts, a qualification that is widely recognised by employers and universities in Ireland and internationally

• Wide range of graduate destinations – Alumni work in areas such as journalism, broadcasting, publishing, education, arts administration, heritage and museums, public relations, marketing, policy, and creative production

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students often continue into postgraduate study at UCD or other leading universities. Options include master’s programmes in English, Film Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, Journalism, Arts Management, or Education, as well as research-focused MPhil or PhD pathways for those interested in academic or scholarly careers.