Politics & Data Science

MSc Politics & Data Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc Politics and Data Science programme is specifically tailored to address the transformative impact of generative AI, large language models, and machine learning on political processes and their ethical implications. This cutting-edge degree is an ideal choice for applicants from diverse backgrounds, aiming to explore the intersection of politics and advanced data science in the digital era.

The curriculum delves deeply into the ways generative AI and large language models are revolutionising our understanding of political discourse, public opinion, and policy-making. With a focus on the ethical and societal implications of these technologies, the programme equips students with a critical perspective on how data science shapes political narratives and decisions in both democratic and non-democratic regimes.

Structured in two streams, the programme caters to students from varying academic backgrounds. The first stream introduces students from social sciences, including political science, to advanced data science methods, emphasising the use of large language models and machine learning in political analysis. The second stream, tailored for those with a technical background, focuses on political science research design and theories, integrating these with data science applications.

Core modules for the Social Science Background stream provide a foundational understanding of data science methods, while optional modules allow exploration into specialised areas like machine learning, quantitative text analysis, and the ethical use of AI in politics. Similarly, the Technical Background stream includes core and elective modules that blend technical skills with an understanding of political science theories and applications.

This programme not only offers comprehensive training in political science and its sub-disciplines but also equips students with empirical skills to navigate and analyse the complex interplay between politics and technology in the modern world. It prepares graduates to critically assess and contribute to the evolving landscape of politics in the age of data science and AI.

The MSc Politics and Data Science programme is organised around two streams of study. The first stream grounds students with backgrounds in political science and related social sciences in data science methods. The second stream is geared towards students with computer science or related technical backgrounds, teaching them about research design and theories in political science. Apart from two required core modules in each stream, all students can select four optional modules that best fit their interests. These modules can either revolve around methods needed to study digital and digitised politics, such as programming and machine learning, quantitative text analysis, statistics, and experimental methods. Or they can be modules relating to comparative politics, international relations, political violence, political economy, and related fields that the School of Politics and International Relations has strengths in.

SPIRe part time programmes run for 2 years and students normally do 1 - 2 modules per semester. The final 30-credit module is completed during the second year of the programme.

Please note that our part-time programmes run during the day and are not timetabled in the evenings or at weekends.

Core and Option Modules for MSc Politics and Data Science Social Science Background Stream

These are the current modules for 2023/24 but are subject to change. Each of the following modules carries 10 credits unless otherwise specified.

Core Modules
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics (Autumn)
POL42340 Programming for Social Scientists (Spring)
POL42350 Connected Politics (Spring)

Core Option Modules - Select one
IS41210 Platform Governance (Spring)
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis (Spring)
SOC41070 Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age (Spring) ​

Option Modules
Autumn
IS40840 Data & Society
POL40050 Theories of International Relations
POL40140 Theories of Global Justice
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy
POL40540 Comparative European Politics
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights
POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa
POL41650 The Global Political Economy of Europe
POL41870 Political Economy of Institutions and Comparative Development
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies
POL42040 Gender & the Political System
POL42070 Politics of (mis-)information
POL42470 Gender Identity & Difference
POL42490 Politics of Ireland North & South
SOC41130 AI and Society

Spring
DEV40020 Gender and Development
IS41210 Platform Governance
POL40100 Politics of Development
POL40370 International Political Economy
POL40610 EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy
POL40970 Politics of European Governance
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights
POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science
POL41720 Gender Peace and Security
POL41780 The Politics of Inequality
POL41860 Governance, Politics and Development
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis
POL42060 International Security
POL42440 Political Economy of Security
POL42480 Contemporary Election Campaigns: Democratic Norms and Empirical Research
POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism
SOC41070 Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age

Summer Trimester Core Module
POL42310 Thesis (30 credits)

Core and Option Modules for MSc Politics and Data Science Technical Background Stream

These are the current modules for 2023/24 but are subject to change. Each of the following modules carries 10 credits unless otherwise specified.

Core Modules​
POL42350 Connected Politics (Spring)
POL42070 Politics of (mis-)information (Autumn)

Core Option Modules - Select one
IS41210 Platform Governance (Spring)
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis (Spring)
POL42340 Programming for Social Scientists (Spring)
SOC41070 Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age (Spring) ​

Option Modules
Autumn
IS40840 Data & Society
POL40050 Theories of International Relations
POL40140 Theories of Global Justice
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy
POL40540 Comparative European Politics
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights
POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa
POL41650 The Global Political Economy of Europe
POL41870 Political Economy of Institutions and Comparative Development
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies
POL42040 Gender & the Political System
POL42470 Gender Identity & Difference
POL42490 Politics of Ireland North & South
SOC41130 AI and Society

Spring
DEV40020 Gender and Development
IS41210 Platform Governance
POL40100 Politics of Development
POL40370 International Political Economy
POL40610 EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy
POL40970 Politics of European Governance
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights
POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science
POL41720 Gender Peace and Security
POL41780 The Politics of Inequality
POL41860 Governance, Politics and Development
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis
POL42060 International Security
POL42340 Programming for Social Scientists
POL42440 Political Economy of Security
POL42480 Contemporary Election Campaigns: Democratic Norms and Empirical Research
POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism
SOC41070 Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age

Summer Trimester Core Module
POL42310 Thesis (30 credits)

Good undergraduate degree (2.1 or equivalent) in political science or related social science, or in computer science, statistics, or related discipline. Because of the streaming of the module structure of the program, we can accommodate students with a social science as well as students with a more technical background.

- 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.

- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MSc Politics & Data Science FT (W473)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

MSc Politics & Data Science PT (W474)
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

1 Year Full Time or 2 Years Part Time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.

NEXT INTAKE: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability
Graduates from this programme will be ideally equipped for careers in a large and varied set of employment sectors. The combination of a solid understanding of social science theory and the technical ability to apply advanced data-science approaches to answer questions of political and societal relevance, makes our graduates a unique addition to any data science team. Furthermore, graduates will be well-positioned to apply for quantitative social science PhD programmes with the aim of pursuing an academic career.

Potential future employers include:
Government
International Organisations (EU, UN, WTO, World Bank)
Non-Government Organisations
Not-for-profit sector
Corporate Sector
Tech industry
Think tanks

Potential roles include:
Political Advisor
Social Data Specialist
Data Manager
Chief Information Officer
Social Science PhD candidate