Politics & International Relations - International Development
MSc International Development
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MSc 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.
- Oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies
- World-renowned staff drawn from many countries.
- Includes additional research components including a dissertation and is particularly suitable if you want a career in research or academia.
Vision & Values Statement
This programme aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in international development - either as a practictioner or as an academic/policy specialiist. Learning is designed to be participatory and a critical, but constructive, approach to interdisciplinary development issues (ecconomic, politival and other) is encouraged.
Programme Outcomes
acquaint students with cutting edge development issues
allow students to comment critically on development interventions
develop methodological research expertise
develop oral presentation skills
enhance group work skills
enhance students' abilities to assess development practice on the ground
equip students with the skills to work in the field of international development
Subjects taught
The MSc International Development is a 90-credit programme. Full time students must take three 10-credit modules in the autumn trimester, Students must also submit a thesis worth 30 credits that will be written during the summer term.
Core and Option Modules for MSc International Development (credits in parentheses)
Please note that these are subject to change
Autumn Trimester
Core Modules
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics (10)
POL40100 Politics of Development (10)
POL41860 Governance, Pol, Dev (10)
Option Modules
LAW40760 NGO Law (10)
POL40050 Theories of Internat.Relations (10)
POL40140 International Political Theory (10)
POL40970 Politics European Governance (10)
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights (10)
POL41650 Global Political Econ ofEurope (10)
POL41800 Theories of Int'l Rels Stream2 (10)
POL41910 Political Violence (10)
POL41930 Psychology of Conflict in MENA (10)
POL42040 Gender & the Political System (10)
POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists (10)
Spring Trimester
Core Module
POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Politics (10)
Option Module
GS40100 Gender, Harm and Justice (10)
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy (10)
POL40370 International Political Econom (10)
POL40540 Comparative European Politics (10)
POL40610 EU Foreign and Security Policy (10)
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights (10)
POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security (10)
POL41780 The Politics of Inequality (10)
POL41870 Econ & Policy Analysis 1 10cr (10)
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies (10)
POL42000 Political Theory and the EU (10)
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis (10)
POL42060 International Security (10)
POL42070 Politics of (mis-)information (10)
POL42350 Connected_Politics (10)
Summer Trimester
POL42310 Thesis (30)
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. Click here for further info.
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.
Application dates
The following entry routes are available:
MSc International Development FT (W303)
Deadline
Rolling*
MSc International Development PT (W304)
Deadline
Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
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. No
Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree 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/international law etc.
Credits
90
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.
Fees
MSc International Development (W303) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8525
nonEU fee per year - € 19900
MSc International Development (W304) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5600
nonEU fee per year - € 9950
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme.
Enrolment dates
Next Intake: 2020/2021 September
Post Course Info
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