Information & Communication Studies - Digital Policy

MSc Digital Policy
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
With support from Microsoft Ireland, UCD's School of Information and Communication studies is establishing the Microsoft-UCD Digital Policy Programme with the goal of building digital policy training and capability in Ireland and Europe.

The innovative programme mixes the abstract and the applied with core modules from the School of Information and Communication Studies and optional modules from other Schools in the College of Social Sciences and Law (COSSL) and Computer Science. This programme introduces students to basic concepts and issues in digital policy, giving a historical and critical understanding of how to theorise digital objects and environments by learning to situate them in perspectives such as platform capitalism, governance, data infrastructures, information analytics, interface critique and software studies.

The MSc in Digital Policy is designed to prepare graduates for careers in evaluating, implementing, and studying core topical, theoretical, and methodological issues that arise in digital policy today. The course will take a multi-disciplionary approach to investigating the institutional and public policy dimensions of the prevalence of digital technology, as well as the underlying social conditions (economic, political, and cultural) and public/private sector contexts that give rise to such technologies and their governance.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The MSc in Digital Policy is designed to prepare graduates for careers in evaluating, implementing, and studying core topical, theoretical, and methodological issues that arise in digital policy today. The course will take a multi-disciplionary approach to investigating the institutional and public policy dimensions of the prevalence of digital technology, as well as the underlying social conditions (economic, political, and cultural) and public/private sector contexts that give rise to such technologies and their governance.

This MSc is available full time (one year) or part time (two years) and includes the completion of a thesis. The programme's core course modules are complimented by specific optional modules available within the school and through other select external schools.

Programme Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
• Understand both theoretical and applied issues in digital policy
• Demonstrate advanced conceptual knowledge of digital technologies and their implications for socio-political life
• Understand the dilemmas and tensions involved in regulating digital technologies

Applying knowledge and understanding:
• Critically appraise evidence from research papers concerning topics in digital policy
• Critically evaluate existing digital policies and policy proposals and their limitations

Making judgements:
• Systematically analyse the research literature in a key area of digital policy as part of their dissertation
• Decide, under guidance, on appropriate methodology and materials to be analysed for their dissertation

Communications and working skills:
• Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings to both specialist and non-specialist
• audiences from a digital policy perspective
• Work effectively with peers in learning, research, and presentation

Learning skills:
• Collect or source data using research methodologies taught on the programme
• Engage in independent research and analysis under supervision
• Write to a high academic standard

Stage 1 - Core
Research Theory and Practice IS40820
Data & Society IS40840
Digital Policy IS40910
Digital Policy II IS40960
Platform Governance IS41050
Thesis (30 Credits) IS41110

Stage 1 - Option
Artificial Intelligence IS40970
Information Ethics IS41020
Media Law LAW30190
Online Regulation LAW41150
Data Protection and Privacy: National and International Perspectives LAW41270
Politics of European Governance POL40970
Evidence-Based Policy Making SPOL40450

Applicants should present with a primary (bachelor's) degree in any subject with an overall score of 2.1 or higher.

Names and contact details of two referees who can assess their intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate

English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

While applications are accepted up to August of the year of entry, offers are made to suitably qualified candidates on a first-come-first-served basis so early application is recommended. Entry to the programmes is very competitive and the number of places is limited.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MSc Digital Policy FT (W471)
Deadline Rolling *

MSc Digital Policy PT (W472)
Deadline Rolling *

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

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