UCD College of Social Sciences and Law Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí UCD

BSc Social Sciences Single Major Internal Transfer  |  Applies to Stage 2 Students, 2021-22

Transferring into Stage 3 Single Major in Archaeology, Philosophy, Economics or Politics. 

Who is eligible to apply for a Single Major?

You are eligible to apply if you are a Stage 2 student in BHSOC010 (CAO code DN700) already studying one of these four subjects (as a Joint Major, Major with Humanities Minor, Major with Language Minor, or as a thematic degree). 

Which Subjects are available in Single Major?

  • Archaeology
  • Economics
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations

How and when do I apply?

You may apply to transfer into a Single Major programme to the school of each subject. The deadline for transfer applications is the end of May 2022. Applications will be approved by the end of June 2022. If successful, you will begin Single Major studies in September 2022, and finish your degree as such.

Different subjects have different conditions for allowing the transfer (see below). Each subject has a designated contact for applications.

Why specialise to a single major?

By the end of Stage 2, you will have established your initial knowledge base of the two or three subjects that you have been studying, and ready to build on this through Stages 3 and 4. Intensive study of a single subject in Stages 3 and 4 would allow you to develop a deep and broad command, and would be excellent preparation if you are already considering a Masters course in that subject. A Single Major requires 50 credits of subject modules in Stage 3 and another 50 credits in Stage 4, together with 10 credits of electives in each year. 

What does not change in your degree:

  • Total credits required for your degree: 240 ECTS, meaning 60 ECTS per stage.
  • The modules and grades that you achieved in Stages 1 and 2 will remain on your transcript, and your Stage 2 results will still  contribute to your final GPA.
  • The Social Sciences programme team remains the same.
  • You will still have opportunities to study abroad or undertake a 30 ECTS internship in Stage 3 (although new conditions may apply)
If you are interested in applying for transfer to single major

Changing to a single major is an important decision and is not reversible, so please consider this carefully. Go through the Stage 3 and 4 modules in your target subject, and discuss it with the relevant contact person listed in the subject sections below.

Further information, including how to apply, can be found under each individual subject below.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Subject conditions for Archaeology Single Major

  • You must be a current student on BHSOC010 studying Archaeology through a Joint Major, Major/Minor or Archaeology, Geography & History ("Landscapes & Society") thematic
  • You must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.08 in Stage 2.
  • You must be elgible to progress to Stage 3 in your degree (i.e. have passed all Stage 1 credits and at least 50 credits in Stage 2).
  • Single Major students will complete the following in Stage 4:
    • A Research Proposal (5 credits)
    • A Research Project (10 or 15 Credits)
    • ARCH30790 Communicating Archaeology 
  • For students transferring from the Archaeology, Geography and History (‘Landscapes and Society’) programme, the above conditions apply, but in addition:
    • If you have only taken THREE Level 1 Archaeology modules in Stage 1, then you need to take a fourth as their elective in Stage 3. This may impact international exchange or internship opportunities. Please discuss this with the School of Archaeology.
  • Students transferring from Archaeology with Chinese, who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3, will be exempt from the above subject conditions. Instead your application will be reviewed on an individual basis and an academic plan for your progression into the Single major agreed with the programme director. Archaeology with Chinese students who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3 should complete the form to commence the exemption/alternative process before submitting their transfer application. Details, including the deadline for this application can be found on the Social Sciences website.

Applications and Contact for Archaeology Single Major

Email Dr. Neil Carlin (neil.carlin@ucd.ie) copying  student.archaeology@ucd.ie between 1 April - 31 May 2022 with the following information

  • Subject Line: "Application for Single Major Archaeology"
  • Email from your UCD Connect email address
  • Provide your student name, student number and current programme
  • Confirm that you wish to apply for Archaeology Single Major
  • Your student record will be reviewed following Trimester 2 exams and you will be contacted regarding the outcome.

Application Conditions for Economics Single Major

  • You must be currently studying Economics through a joint major, major/minor, Philosophy, Politics & Economics thematic or Economics, Mathematics & Statistics thematic in BHSOC010 (CAO code DN700)
  • You must be elgible to progress to Stage 3 in your degree (i.e. have passed all Stage 1 credits and at least 50 credits in Stage 2).
  • By the end of Stage 2, you must have achieved a GPA of at least 3.4 in the following modules:
    • ECON20010
    • ECON20020
    • ECON20040 (or STAT10060 for EMS students), at least a B- grade
  • As a Single Major student, you will then be required to enrol in the following modules in either Stage 3 or Stage 4:
    • ECON30130, ECON30290, ECON30120, ECON30420 
    • MATH20330 or MST20050 or MST20070, if not already taken and passed
  • Students transferring from Economics with Chinese, who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3, will be exempt from the above subject conditions. Instead your application will be reviewed on an individual basis and an academic plan for your progression into the Single major agreed with the programme director. Economics with Chinese students who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3 should complete the form to commence the exemption/alternative process before submitting their transfer application. Details, including the deadline for this application can be found on the Social Sciences website.
  • If you transfer you will remain registered to DN700 (4 year degree) and still have the option to do an internship or go study abroad if you are eligible, and will receive a BSc in Economics when you complete your degree.  You will not join the DN710 (3 year degree).  
  • Further information is available through the School of Economics website

Applications for Economics Single Major

Applications are open 11 April - 31 May 2022

Please use this form to make your application.

Your student record will be reviewed following Trimester 2 exams and you will be contacted regarding the outcome.

Further information is available through the School of Economics website

Subject Conditions for Philosophy 

  • Students must be currently studying Philosophy through joint major, major/minor or PPE in BHSOC010 (CAO code DN700).
  • Philosophy has no minimum GPA conditions for switching into Single Major in Stage 3, and has no conditions for taking particular modules.
  • You must be elgible to progress to Stage 3 in your degree (i.e. have passed all Stage 1 credits and at least 50 credits in Stage 2).
  • NB transferring into Single Major Philosophy will result in a change of programme code and a different exit title of “BA in Philosophy”.  This is the internationally recognised degree title of a single major in Philosophy.
  • Programme structure of BA Philosophy is available here.
  • Students transferring from Philosophy with Chinese, who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3, will be exempt from the above subject conditions. Instead your application will be reviewed on an individual basis and an academic plan for your progression into the Single major agreed with the programme director. Philosophy with Chinese students who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3 should complete the form to commence the exemption/alternative process before submitting their transfer application. Details, including the deadline for this application can be found on the Social Sciences website.
  • To discuss the Philosophy Single Major please email Dr. Dan Deasy (daniel.deasy@ucd.ie)

Applications and Contact for Philosophy Single Major

Email Philosophy@ucd.ie between 1 April - 31 May 2022 with the following information

  • Subject Line: "Application to Transfer to Single Major BA Philosophy)
  • Email from your UCD Connect email address
  • Provide your student name, student number and current programme
  • Confirm that you wish to apply for Philosophy Single Major: BA Philosophy
  • Your student record will be reviewed following Trimester 2 exams and you will be contacted regarding the outcome.

Conditions for Politics & International Relations Single Major

  • Students currently studying Politics a Joint Major, Major/Minor or the PPE thematic degree in BHSOC0101 (CAO code DN700) are welcome to transfer into Single Major, without any minimum GPA condition. 
  • You must be elgible to progress to Stage 3 in your degree (i.e. have passed all Stage 1 credits and at least 50 credits in Stage 2).
  • However, there are four Level 1 core modules (INRL 10010, POL 10170, POL 10160, POL 10120) and four Level 2 core modules (INRL 20040, POL 20010, POL 20020, POL 20050). Students are welcome to transfer into the Single Major in Politics and IR while missing some of these core modules, but they must ensure that all of these core modules are complete by the end of Stage 4, e.g. by using up their elective places. This may impact your opportunities to study abroad or go on an internship, so please discuss this in advance with the School of Politics & International Relations if you have queries.
  • Students transferring from Politics & International Relations with Chinese, who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3, will be exempt from the above subject conditions. Instead your application will be reviewed on an individual basis and an academic plan for your progression into the Single major agreed with the programme director. Politics & International Relations with Chinese students who are not in a position to travel abroad at stage 3 should complete the form to commence the exemption/alternative process before submitting their transfer application. Details, including the deadline for this application can be found on the Social Sciences website.

Applications and Contact for Politics and International Relations Single Major

Further information is available on the SPIRe current students website page

Email spire@ucd.ie between 1 April - 31 May 2022 with the following information

  • Subject Line: "Application for Single Major Politics & International Relations"
  • Email from your UCD Connect email address
  • Provide your student name, student number and current programme
  • Confirm that you wish to apply for Politics and International Relations Single Major
  • Your student record will be reviewed following Trimester 2 exams and you will be contacted regarding the outcome.