International Development

The Grad Dip in International Development is designed to provide you with an interdisciplinary understanding of the process of development by bringing together expertise in politics, economics, agriculture, political economy and other areas.



- The Graduate Diploma in Politics and International Relations is designed to accommodate the scheduling needs of working professionals in government, journalism, the NGO sector, and other fields who wish to deepen their education in politics and international relations while continuing their employment.

- It also serves as a pathway to the MA/MSc International Development. Applicants who did not achieve their full potential in their primary degree (e.g., did not obtain a 2H1) can be admitted to the Graduate Diploma and have the opportunity to transfer to the MA/MSc midway through.

Stage 1 Core Modules

POL40100 Politics of Development Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:

If you wish to transfer to the MA programme, you must take POL42330 Research Design in the Autumn trimester.



POL42330 Research Design Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Select the remaining option modules to complete 60 taught credits.

GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn 10

LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn 10

POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn 10

POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn 10

POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn 10

POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn 10

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

POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn 10

POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn 10

DEV40020 Gender and Development Spring 10

HACT40010 Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design Spring 10

HACT40020 Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management Spring 10

POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring 10

POL40370 International Political Economy Spring 10

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10

POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring 10

POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring 10

POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring 10

POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring 10

POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring 10

POL42580 Arab Perceptions of Conflict Spring 10

This programme is intended for applicants at least a lower or upper second class honours (2.2) or international equivalent in their primary degree.



Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.



English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement. See webpage for further info.

https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/undergraduate/entryrequirements/



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/.



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

W299: 1 year full-time

W300: 2 years part-time

Graduate Diploma International Development Graduate Diploma Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



W300 Graduate Diploma International Development Graduate Diploma Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Careers & Employability

Graduates of the programme have found employment with the official Irish aid programme, in Irish and international non-governmental organisations such as Trocaire, Goal, Action Aid and Oxfam, and with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations as well as in journalism, education, local community development, and many other areas such as:



• Public administration

• Journalism

• Media

• Civil society organisations

• Voluntary sector

• Academic institutions