International Development

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.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

POL40100 Politics of Development Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A)5 of:

Option Modules

DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn 10

POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn 10

POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn 10

POL40970 Politics of European Governance 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

POL42330 Research Design Autumn 10

LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring 10

POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Spring 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Spring 10

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

POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring 10

POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring 10

POL41910 Political Violence Spring 10

POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring 10

POL42060 International Security Spring 10

POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists 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. 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/.



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://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

W299: 1 year full-time

W300: 2 years part-time

Commencing September 2025

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