Arts in NUIG

BellaVerita

Is there anyone here who is doing/has done Arts that can answer a few questions I have about it?

I've heard quite a lot of people say that Arts in general is a waste of time. I don't know what job I want and that's why I'm considering it. I would be taking English, Psychology and French as subjects for sure if I do Arts. Although I enjoy these subjects I don't think I necessarily want to become a Pyschologist or Journalist.

What kinds of jobs have Arts graduates gotten? Obviously jobs are scarce at the moment, will having an Arts degree even further lessen the chances of getting a job?
Also, what is the course itself like? Is it more difficult to make friends in a large course like arts than it would be in a smaller course?

Ok, that's it.. thanks in advance to anyone who answers:)

BellaVerita

One other thing, I'm kind of leaning more towards Arts becuase I'm afraid that if I do a course like English/Journalism, I will only be qualified in that one area. If I end up not enjoying an English/Jour. course or not being very good at it then I'm pretty much stuck then.

Ruire

BellaVerita wrote: »

Is there anyone here who is doing/has done Arts that can answer a few questions I have about it?

I've heard quite a lot of people say that Arts in general is a waste of time. I don't know what job I want and that's why I'm considering it. I would be taking English, Psychology and French as subjects for sure if I do Arts. Although I enjoy these subjects I don't think I necessarily want to become a Pyschologist or Journalist.

What kinds of jobs have Arts graduates gotten? Obviously jobs are scarce at the moment, will having an Arts degree even further lessen the chances of getting a job?
Also, what is the course itself like? Is it more difficult to make friends in a large course like arts than it would be in a smaller course?

Ok, that's it.. thanks in advance to anyone who answers:)

Final Year Arts here. It all, depends, of course, on what you want to do. I hated being told that, but it's true. I know plenty of people who get past First Year and then realise that they picked the wrong subjects.

Arts is only as useful as you can make it. There are no useless degrees (unless it's a blatantly made-up load of ****) as such.

Personally, I'm attempting to go into academia, but, to do so I'm looking at trying to get an overall First and go do a postgrad abroad. It's not easy and anyone who tells you it is isn't looking at much more than a 2.2 or low 2.1.

As for making friends, it's not hard. Most people find friends that last for years within the first semester. You just have to be open. If large classes are an issue, look into doing a BA Connect. Don't forget societies, they can provide pretty useful skills and look good on an otherwise sparse or dull CV.

Raging_Ninja

In itself, unelss you get lucky, you will probably not get a job in a field you studied for your BA (exception would probably be if you studied IT as Irish companies suffer a lack of programmers - though things could be different 3 years from now).

If you don't know what you want to do, Arts is a great way of finding out what you're interested in.

After that, you would probably want to go and do a postgrad.

Fooker

Technically you can go on to medicine after doing arts. If you are interested in doing something related to them, you should do it..

French is a good option as people are always looking for people with languages, you should get a job, but not necessarily the job you have always dreamed of.

If you don't know what you want to do and intend on doing very little, arts definitely is not the best option.

And yes societies etc. are very good for making friends, some classes are big, but you will have smaller groups in french and your tutorials in general.

Lockstep

Arts is fairly easy to pass but it's hard to get a first class honours in. Easy to learn but difficult to master is a good way of putting it.

It genuinely depends on what you want to do, if you're unsure of what you want, then it's a good thing to keep your options open with.


You could also do the BA Connect (Human rights, women's studies, Latin American Studies, Creative Writing, YOuth and Childcare Studies, film studies etc) where you study the same modules as a regular arts degree but do a year specialising in one of the above)

BellaVerita

Hi, thanks for all the replies,

Does doing the BA Connect mean that your main subject(Film Studies, Creative Writing etc.) will be seen as the subject that you're mainly qualified in? Or do they take your other Arts subjects into consideration also?

Fooker wrote: »

French is a good option as people are always looking for people with languages, you should get a job, but not necessarily the job you have always dreamed of.

Would that be in Ireland, France or both?:) Do you know what kind of jobs you would get, having obtained a BA International degree rather than the standard 3 year BA?

Ruire

BellaVerita wrote: »

Hi, thanks for all the replies,

Does doing the BA Connect mean that your main subject(Film Studies, Creative Writing etc.) will be seen as the subject that you're mainly qualified in? Or do they take your other Arts subjects into consideration also?

I'm still trying to work that one out. It was sold to us as a specialisation, yet we have more ECTS for it than our other subjects.

Raging_Ninja

BellaVerita wrote: »

Would that be in Ireland, France or both?:) Do you know what kind of jobs you would get, having obtained a BA International degree rather than the standard 3 year BA?

Translation, TEFL, and the like. Again, more than likely you would need a postgrad.

keesa

I did Arts, finished last year and since the summer, I've gotten a job, applied for and turned down an interview for a research position, turned down a MSc, quit my job, and am working in Italy for the year. While my boyfriend with a proper science degree is unemployed. Arts is better, and not a waster course, but you will need a post grad of some sort to get a real job.

orlabobs

BellaVerita wrote: »

Is there anyone here who is doing/has done Arts that can answer a few questions I have about it?

I've heard quite a lot of people say that Arts in general is a waste of time. I don't know what job I want and that's why I'm considering it. I would be taking English, Psychology and French as subjects for sure if I do Arts. Although I enjoy these subjects I don't think I necessarily want to become a Pyschologist or Journalist.

What kinds of jobs have Arts graduates gotten? Obviously jobs are scarce at the moment, will having an Arts degree even further lessen the chances of getting a job?
Also, what is the course itself like? Is it more difficult to make friends in a large course like arts than it would be in a smaller course?

Ok, that's it.. thanks in advance to anyone who answers:)

The thing about Arts is that loads of people who get lower points, or had Arts way down on their CAO end up doing it, even though they didn't want to. But as a person who did want to do the course, I really like it. I did History, English, Soc and Pol and Geog in 1st year and kept on History and English for 2nd year.
If you think you may want to do teaching you need to have two teachable subjects in 2nd year.
But arts is really good. It is, as someone already said, easy to just get by and pass, but you do have to put work in in 2nd year and 3rd year if you want to get a good degree.
But it's not really heavy and if you get your work done on time you should be fine.
Also about making friends, ya - unless you make an effort you won't make friends in the course, in the bigger classes anyways. But I would suggest living in corrib village or gort na coiribe in 1st yr (corribs better for 1st yrs) and then you'll make friends with your housemates and friends from corrib. Also I would suggest that you join a society. I joined the musical society and i have a ton of friends from there.

But basically Arts is a really good basic degree - you can, depending on your subject choices, go to so many places.

And yes, it is a waster course - for some.... but not the course itself.

ApeLove

There are over a 1000 people in Arts...yup, some of them are wasters. There are also wasters in Science, and Engineering, and probably every class going.
It is not, however, a waster course. The course is what you make it, I'm taking the three subjects you're considering and would absolutely recommend them.
French is really useful and will make you more employable and you're in a good place jobs-wise if you manage to take psychology through but, as with anything, you're realistically looking at needing a postgrad to get a good job.
Don't worry about making friends in the slightest! NUIG put so much work in to get you meeting people with mentors, societies, small seminar groups etc...and you can sit near and talk to new people every day. It's November and I still meet people who are happy to chat away in every lecture.

Lockstep

Ultimately, arts is what you make of it. I got a 1:1 (Legal Science and History) while fitting in a load of extracurriculars, part time jobs and so on and am currently doing the LLB. If you just want to pass, you'll easily be able to achieve this but if you want to do better, you'll need to put in a lot more work.
If you're really worried about being employable, you can do IT, psychology, legal science or a language along with something you're personally interested in.

A lot of arts students claim they want to be teachers or lecturers: make sure you're going it for the right reasons though: it's quite common to see people not knowing what to do with their English and History degree and so give teaching a try without them really being interested in it which makes it hard on those who genuinely want to do the job.
Likewise, you'll need very high marks if you want to be a lecturer: most postgrads will require a 2:1 minimum and to get funding you'll be wanting a very high 2:1 or above.

Ruire

Lockstep wrote: »

A lot of arts students claim they want to be teachers or lecturers: make sure you're going it for the right reasons though: it's quite common to see people not knowing what to do with their English and History degree and so give teaching a try without them really being interested in it which makes it hard on those who genuinely want to do the job.
Likewise, you'll need very high marks if you want to be a lecturer: most postgrads will require a 2:1 minimum and to get funding you'll be wanting a very high 2:1 or above.

Though, as a word of warning - some of those postgrads which say they require a 2.1 are sometimes full with people on Firsts (depending on what institution it is, of course). The minimum course requirement is, in this case, only applicable where there are more places than qualified applicants.

Also, just a point - if people really want something, surely they'll work harder at it than those who aren't really interested in it, and be able to provide a much better case.*

*I am sometimes optimistic, y'know.

PeadarGalway

Lockstep wrote: »

Ultimately, arts is what you make of it. I got a 1:1 (Legal Science and History) while fitting in a load of extracurriculars, part time jobs and so on and am currently doing the LLB. If you just want to pass, you'll easily be able to achieve this but if you want to do better, you'll need to put in a lot more work.
If you're really worried about being employable, you can do IT, psychology, legal science or a language along with something you're personally interested in.

A lot of arts students claim they want to be teachers or lecturers: make sure you're going it for the right reasons though: it's quite common to see people not knowing what to do with their English and History degree and so give teaching a try without them really being interested in it which makes it hard on those who genuinely want to do the job.
Likewise, you'll need very high marks if you want to be a lecturer: most postgrads will require a 2:1 minimum and to get funding you'll be wanting a very high 2:1 or above.

This. Exactly.

I just graduated with a first in French and English, went blindly into the hDip and dropped out there recently. Don't just glide into teaching as a 'sure I'll see if I like it' option!
Arts can be a great course, if you put in the effort in. Its an extremely social course and you'll make some of your best friends in your tutorials and smaller classes. Nothing wrong with striking up a convo with the randomer sitting beside you in a lecture either!! Like the others have said, it is a very easy course to pass. This is down to the sheer numbers involved, many of whom don't want to be there in the first place and who sail through. Not being ignorant, just stating it how I saw it. But if you put in the time the course can be interesting, insightful and a worthwhile endeavor.

Good luck with your choices

quigg

Anybody know if you do IT in arts in first year and do well in your exams can you then move to Computer Science. This was my first choice but I didn't get enough points in the leaving.

Raging_Ninja

quigg wrote: »

Anybody know if you do IT in arts in first year and do well in your exams can you then move to Computer Science. This was my first choice but I didn't get enough points in the leaving.

I don't think so. You could I suppose make an appointment with the dean of the faculty though, to see what your options are.

Reillyman

quigg wrote: »

Anybody know if you do IT in arts in first year and do well in your exams can you then move to Computer Science. This was my first choice but I didn't get enough points in the leaving.

Do you actually know what Computer Science is? It involves an awful lot of maths so I'd say you'd need a C3 in HL maths as a requirement too.

BellaVerita

Thanks for all the replies, they've been really helpful. Just wondering about one more thing; does doing a language for Arts require a minimum grade in that subject in the L.C? I don't see it stated anywhere on the NUIG site or qualifax but just wanted to double check.:)

orlabobs

BellaVerita wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, they've been really helpful. Just wondering about one more thing; does doing a language for Arts require a minimum grade in that subject in the L.C? I don't see it stated anywhere on the NUIG site or qualifax but just wanted to double check.:)

As far as I'm aware, no. Infact, you can do german and spanish (I think) and welsh without any prior knowledge. Not sure about French. But with German, even if you did very poorly in the lc you can't do beginner german, you have to go into the advanced class with all the brains, which can be very tough.

quigg

Yes I know what Computer Science is and I have a C2 in higher level maths

BhoscaCapall

I think it very much depends on whether or not you get lucky with the subjects blocks. If you are able to do at least 2 subjects of interest then you are laughing, if not it could be quite tricky.

I'm in second year and absolutely flying in the subject I care about, 95%+ in the hardest module. However at this rate I will be failing the year because of the other subject (which I didn't even choose to do).

janey166

Hey could someone answer a question for me about second arts: I'm doing spanish and soc and pol but I want to transfer from spanish to english would this be possible without going back to first year? I heard that some colleges allow similar transfers is this true?

western

janey166 wrote: »

Hey could someone answer a question for me about second arts: I'm doing spanish and soc and pol but I want to transfer from spanish to english would this be possible without going back to first year? I heard that some colleges allow similar transfers is this true?

its not possible, you will have to go back to first year as you dont have a 1BA
in english.

Raging_Ninja

janey166 wrote: »

Hey could someone answer a question for me about second arts: I'm doing spanish and soc and pol but I want to transfer from spanish to english would this be possible without going back to first year? I heard that some colleges allow similar transfers is this true?

Did you do English in first year?

If you did, then it could be possible by talking to the head of the faculty. You've left it awful late in the year to decide that you want to change, which will make it less likely that you will get it (without having to repeat 2nd year) considering you've also now missed the exams for first semester.

iamanengine

Hey peeps,im just wondering,i desperatley want to do arts but 525 seems way to high for me,im gunna put it down 1st anyway but can anyone give me more information about what my options are if i do psychology through arts?can i then continue on to do another degree in psychology?

orlabobs

iamanengine wrote: »

Hey peeps,im just wondering,i desperatley want to do arts but 525 seems way to high for me,im gunna put it down 1st anyway but can anyone give me more information about what my options are if i do psychology through arts?can i then continue on to do another degree in psychology?

Erm.... unless it went up big time, arts is not 525..... it's more like 360ish

Ruire

iamanengine wrote: »

Hey peeps,im just wondering,i desperatley want to do arts but 525 seems way to high for me,im gunna put it down 1st anyway but can anyone give me more information about what my options are if i do psychology through arts?can i then continue on to do another degree in psychology?

You can, but there's only a certain number of the class (doing the BA omnibus), the top 15 I think, allowed to progress beyond first year. Once you get through, you're in the second year BA (Psychology) with the rest of them.

iamanengine

orlabobs wrote: »

Erm.... unless it went up big time, arts is not 525..... it's more like 360ish

i wrote that wrong 525 is just psychology which is way to high,through arts is yeah,around then300 and something mark. any guess as to how many that 15 people is out of?i dont fancy taking the risk and then not making the top 15

orlabobs

iamanengine wrote: »

i wrote that wrong 525 is just psychology which is way to high,through arts is yeah,around then300 and something mark. any guess as to how many that 15 people is out of?i dont fancy taking the risk and then not making the top 15

Ya, it's ridiculously hard to get into that top 15. Theres like about 300 or more that take psychology every year. However, the top 100 can keep psychology as one of your arts students and after your degree you can transfer to straight psychology I think

iamanengine

orlabobs wrote: »

Ya, it's ridiculously hard to get into that top 15. Theres like about 300 or more that take psychology every year. However, the top 100 can keep psychology as one of your arts students and after your degree you can transfer to straight psychology I think

Ok..thats fairly decent then if i just keep it on which would be do-able and if not i could always just do something easy...like medicine

thanks for your help

plasmaguy

I did Arts in NUIG but am now working in the IT industry as there are more jobs there. Because you do Arts doesn't mean you will end up teaching or something, far from it.

If you want to do Arts cause you'd eventually like to be a teacher, well fair play, but there is a long grind ahead even if you qualify..have to do HDip, then probably substitute teaching and all that, might be years before you get a permanent job and even then with average pay.

Arts is an interesting course though.

Lavo_x

Does anyone know what kind of grades are needed to do psychological studies in second year??