Geopolitics & the Global Economy

The MA in Geopolitics & the Global Economy equips students with an in-depth understanding of international relations, war, and conflict resolution as well as national, local and regional economic development, global economic processes, global political events and the knowledge economy.



​The course includes fieldwork in an overseas location such as Berlin or Madrid. Students acquire a solid grounding in the key knowledge and skills required by a geographer specialising in political or economic geography. Students can choose whether to study the political geography of Europe or US foreign policy in detail and can select a number of optional courses to focus on subject areas that interest them. These optional courses introduce the opportunity for interdisciplinary study with courses offered in political science, history and American studies.



Applications are welcome from graduates from any discipline, though undergraduate disciplines with a thematic link to geography, political science, history, economics or sociology may be advantageous. The programme would also be suitable for those with a professional background in related fields who might wish to develop and broaden their skillset.



Please be aware that the modules for the part-time route are only available during working hours, from Monday to Friday. This course is not offered in the evenings or online. Instead, it is designed to spread your learning requirements over two years, which is ideal for those who are currently employed and can only attend campus for one day per week. If you are worried about managing your work and study commitments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

GEOG40390 Research Design Autumn 5

GEOG40450 Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy Spring 10

GEOG40700 International Fieldwork Spring 10

GEOG40520 Dissertation Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:

Students must choose at least 10 credits from the list below.

GEOG40820 GIS Principles and Applications Autumn 10

GEOG40970 Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:

Choose 25 credits from the list below.

AMST40580 News Media Today Autumn 10

AMST40590 Trump's America Autumn 10

AMST40620 Journalism & International Aff Autumn 10

ECON42600 Development Economics Autumn 5

GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn 10

POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn 10

AMST40310 Challenges in US Foreign Policy Spring 10

AMST40570 The U.S. and the Middle East Spring 10

AMST40650 Politics and Digital Storytelling Spring 10

AMST40700 Cyber, AI and Intern Conflict Spring 10

ECON42730 Global Economic History Spring 5

GEOG41190 Advanced Qualitative Methods Spring 5

POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring 10

POL40370 International Political Economy Spring 10

POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring 10

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10

-This programme is intended for applicants with an honours bachelors degree (NFQ Level 8) or international equivalent in any discipline including geography, political science, history, anthropology, economics and sociology, or professionals working in related fields.

-Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class honours (2:1) degree or international equivalent at bachelors level. Applicants with a 2.2. may be considered after interview in exceptional circumstances.

-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), or equivalent.

-Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

-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. 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

W262 - Full-Time: 1 Year

W420 - Part Time: 2 Years

W262 Geopolitics & the Global Economy Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



W420 Geopolitics & the Global Economy Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Careers & Employability

Graduates work in government agencies, international aid agencies, global multilateral agencies, human rights institutions, think-tanks, research bodies and private firms in roles such as researchers, lecturers, aids workers, GIS specialists, planners and local government officials.



Graduates now work in organisations such as:

UN

World Bank

UNICEF

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Deloitte & Touche