Ethics - Theory & Practice

The MA Ethics, Theory and Practice is offered by UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life (CEPL) in association with UCD School of Philosophy providing philosophical training in Ethics, as well as enabling students to experience a context for professional Ethics through inter-disciplinary elements of the programme. Ethics is understood broadly as the study of how to act well, and includes elements of moral philosophy and political/social theory.



Graduates of this programme will be well-placed to understand and help deal with ethical issues in areas such as government, healthcare, business, agriculture, planning, education, law and journalism. Graduates will also have had the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of the nature of Ethics and its place in human life more generally. Having an understanding of Ethics, both at the level of theory and in its practical contexts is of obvious benefit in a very wide variety of career paths.

Module Trimester Credits

Stage 1 Core Modules

PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn 10

PHIL40030 Dissertation Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:

Students should choose three of the modules listed in below.

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B)10CR:

Students should choose 10 credits from the list below.

EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participation Autumn 10

GEOG40970 Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities Autumn 10

MKT30150 Responsible Marketing Autumn 5

PSY40270 Ethics in Psychological Research Autumn 5

EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality Spring 10

IS41020 Information Ethics Spring 5

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:

Students should choose one of the modules listed below.

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn 10

PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn 10

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring 10

PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring 10

PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring 10

This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Philosophy, or in another degree that has significant philosophical components; an upper second class honours, or international equivalent is required.



To qualify for a place on the MA in Ethics :Theory and Practice, students must hold a primary degree with at least a 2.1 (or international equivalent ), involving a significant amount of philosophy.



Candidates with an upper second class honours in a postgraduate conversion course such as a Higher Diploma in Philosophy may be considered. MA students may be required to attend an interview either via Zoom or in person.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), orequivalent. University English language requirements apply for students whose first language is not English



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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

W398 MA Ethics: Theory and Practice

Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



W399 MA Ethics: Theory and Practice

Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Graduates of our Philosophy Masters programmes have gone on to pursue successful careers in journalism, the civil service, industry, teaching, AI and technology, politics and consultancy. The MA in Ethics: Theory and Practice may be particularly suited for people wanting to work in regulation agencies and NGOs as well as areas of business and public service that have an ethical component.



Graduates should be well placed to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training in Ethics themselves. Ethical practice, good ethical judgement and responsibility is a highly significant aspect of all workplaces and in public life more generally.