Comparative Social Change

Course Overview

This M.Sc. in Comparative Social Change is offered jointly by the Department of Sociology at Trinity and the School of Sociology at University College Dublin to develop students’ knowledge of the main currents of social change today, the social, cultural and economic forces which are driving them and the different forms they take across states.



The course has a significant international dimension drawing on the rich and informative experiences of other EU member states, North America, the four Asian Tigers, plus the BRIC countries, particularly Brazil, China and India. In addition, the course provides advanced training in conceptualising, designing and conducting comparative research across countries and the role that this can play in policy development. It provides students with both the theoretical frameworks and practical research skills necessary to understand the processes and pressing issues presented by global social change. It aims to show students how everyday experience and practices are shaped by broader social and economic processes.



As the programme is jointly delivered by Trinity’s Department of Sociology and the School of Sociology at UCD, students benefit from a greater range of staff expertise, both in terms of teaching and research supervision, in the areas of comparative research methodologies and social change. Policy-relevant and practice-based components, such as fieldwork projects, have been designed to contribute to the training and employability of the next generation of researchers.



Is This Course For Me?

The Masters in Comparative Social Change is relevant for students with a background in Social Sciences who are interested in pursuing careers in research, policy development, the public sector, non-governmental organisations and national or local government.



Course Structure

The Masters is worth 90 ECTS, while the Postgraduate Diploma carries 60 ECTS (exit point only). Students who have exited with a Postgraduate Diploma may apply to submit subsequently for the corresponding Masters degree

Course Content

Students take three core modules, which include: Globalisation and Social Change: India, China, Brazil; Introduction to Comparative Social Change: Concepts and Cases; Research Methods.



Students also select three elective modules, which may vary year to year. Electives offered in recent years include: The Migration Challenge; Comparative Educational Perspectives; Economic Globalisation and Social Change; Gender and Social Change in a Comparative Context; Comparing Healthcare Systems; Migration, Labour and Conflict; Nationalism and Social Change; Religion in Comparative Perspective; Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age; and Social Change and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, Issues and Challenges.



In addition, students will complete a dissertation not exceeding 20,000 words.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should normally have a primary degree in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline.



A Student Grade Point Average (GPA) Equivalent 3.0 out of 4.0 is required (where the grading scale is 0.0 to 4.0) or equivalent result where other grading scale is presented.



Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but can confirm professional qualifications and/or experience will be considered. Applicants may be called for an interview.



All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). Test results must be less than two years old.



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

Closing Date 30th June 2026

1 year full-time.

Next Intake September 2026

Career Opportunities

Students receive academic training in social change issues, such as gender, education and the labour market, which can be applied to real-world problems. This training has the potential to open career opportunities in fields such as advocacy, the media and communications. Furthermore, policy-relevant and practice-based components, such as fieldwork projects, have been designed to contribute to the training and employability of the next generation of researchers, adding an extra dimension to the M.Sc. programme.



Students also learn valuable writing, communication, problem solving and policy assessment skills which can be applied to a wide range of careers and further postgraduate study.