The undergraduate Deaf Studies degree at Trinity College Dublin offers you a unique opportunity to explore the rich culture, contributions, and contemporary issues of deaf people, both in Ireland and globally. As the only programme of its kind in Ireland, you will develop fluency in Irish Sign Language (ISL), the indigenous language of the deaf community and the third language of Ireland. This multidisciplinary course is ideal for those interested in linguistic diversity, cultural studies, and social justice, preparing you to engage deeply with the deaf community and its unique societal position.
Studied full-time on campus over four years, you will progress through a curriculum that includes an introduction to ISL and second language acquisition in your first year, moving towards advanced topics like ethics, media representation, and public health access in subsequent years. You will gain practical interpreting skills, guided by ethical practice, and undertake supervised placements in your final year, culminating in a Capstone research project. You will graduate with a high level of ISL competency and a comprehensive understanding of deaf studies, ready for careers as a disability officer, resource officer, or in research and administration within deaf community organisations.