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

Candidates should normally have achieved an upper second class honors degree (2.1) or equivalent, preferably with a social sciences component and excellent academic references. GPAs of at least 3.0 out of 4, or equivalent, will be expected from international applicants. All applicants whose first language is not English or who have not been educated through the medium of English will need to present evidence of English language competency.



Re-admittance to MSc: Students who have exited with a Postgraduate Diploma may apply to submit subsequently for the corresponding Master’s degree. Following completion of the Master’s requirements the student will inform the Registrar of his/her intention to rescind the Postgraduate Diploma and have the credit obtained during the Postgraduate Diploma integrated into the Master’s degree. The student will be required to submit the original Postgraduate Diploma and/or any duplicates that have been issued. The time limit for applying to complete the credits required for the Master’s degree will normally be up to 5 years following completion of the Postgraduate Diploma In exceptional circumstances, a longer time limit may be considered by the Dean of Graduate Studies. This arrangement is not available to students who exit with the Postgraduate Diploma as a consequence of failing to attain the pass requirements of the Master’s.



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet B and B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date 30th June 2025

1 year full-time.

Next Intake September 2025

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.