Politics & International Relations

- 90 credit, part-time programme including six optional 10-credit modules (no particular module is required)

- MA students have the option of pursuing an internship in lieu of a thesis.

Vision and Values Statement
This programme aims to provide a comprehensive and critical grounding in key issues in politics and international relations and to allow students critically engage with cutting edge issues in the discipline.

Student Internships
SPIRe's MA Internship opportunities.

Related Programmes
MA Politics FT

Subjects taught

The MA Politics and International Relations is a 90-credit programme.

Part time students take a total of 90-credits over the two-year duration of the part-time programme. It is advisable for students to take any core modules in Year 1. As the Research Design module is provided to support students writing their thesis, it is advised to take this in the second year of study.

MA students have the option of pursuing an internship in lieu of a thesis.

Core and Option Modules for MA Politics and International Relations

These are the current modules for 2022/23 but are subject to change. Each of the following modules carries 10 credits unless otherwise specified.

Core Modules

POL42330 Research Design (Autumn) - Should be completed in Year 2
Option Modules

Autumn
POL40050 Theories of Internat.Relations
POL40140 Global Issues in Pol Theory
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics
POL40970 Politics European Governance
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights
POL41510 Middle East & North Africa
POL41650 Global Political Econ ofEurope
POL41800 Theories of Int'l Rels Stream2
POL41860 Governance, Pol, Dev
POL42040 Gender & the Political System
POL42440 Political Economy of Security

Spring
POL40100 Politics of Development
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy
POL40370 International Political Economy
POL40540 Comparative European Politics
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights
POL41640 Qual Research Methods for Pol
POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security
POL41780 The Politics of Inequality
POL41870 Pol Economy & Comparative Dev
POL41930 Psychology of Conflict in MENA
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies
POL42000 Political Theory and the EU
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis
POL42060 International Security
POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists
POL42430 Social Theory & IR

Please note, to be enrolled on POL42430 in Spring, students must have taken and passed either of the following two modules: POL41800 or POL40050.

Summer Trimester Core Module (Year 2)
POL42300 SPIRe Internship (30 credits) or
POL42310 Thesis (30 credits)

Entry requirements

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law. 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.

- 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.

Application dates

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MA Politics & International Relations PT (W292)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

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

Duration

2 years part-time.

Post Course Info

Careers & Employability
Graduates work with a wide variety of international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations such as:
Public Affairs Consultant
Government Social Researcher
Diplomatic Advisor
Public Relations Officer
Political Advisor

Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in:
European Parliament
OSCE
European Institute for the Media
Korean Delegation to the OECD
KPMG Management Consulting
Queen's University Belfast

More details
  • Qualification letters

    MA

  • Qualifications

    Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Part time

  • Apply to

    Course provider