Sociology

The MA Sociology programme expands your sociological knowledge and competence to enable you to conduct social research to the standards required in professional settings. You will enjoy small classes organised as seminars and workshops in preparation for carrying out a substantial independent research and writing project under individual supervision.

You will join an international community of postgraduate students and encounter the latest research topics, methods, and styles of enquiry in the distinctive suite of modules provided by the programme. From social simulation to data mining, migration to financialisation, religious revivals to organised crime, pandemics to decolonialism, gender to nationalism - the MSc/MA in Sociology is enjoyable, challenging and exciting. Highly-regarded, it prepares you for roles in any number of professions and careers: from policy analysis to media and public relations, and from community development to the creative industries. Both MSc and MA options are available, with the MSc designed for those wishing to prioritise acquisition of advanced quantitative research skills.

Course Description
Students will develop a range of conceptual, analytical and methodological skills that will enable them to identify, describe and analyse a wide range of social phenomena, drawing on advanced knowledge of current debates, problems and issues at the forefront of sociology.

Teaching, learning and assessment are structured around critical engagement with sociological topics. Students are encouraged to be active participants in seminar discussions and presentations, and to enhance their critical reading, thinking and writing skills.

Students also develop their independent research skills through an individually supervised thesis based on a substantive topic aligned to their interests, needs and goals.

Vision and Values Statement
This academic programme is suitable for full or part-time students who want to pursue a social scientific academic or research career, for professionals or practitioners in the social sciences in the public and private sectors and civil society organisations, and for those who want to develop a broader understanding of everyday life in society, and their place within it. The values underlying the programme are intended to encourage students to be active, independent learners who are critical and reflective about society, and who ideally seek to engage in social change to improve society for all. The learning environment is based on modules in small-group settings designed to encourage and facilitate in-depth discussion about current debates, problems and issues in the field of sociology and related social sciences, and provides students with a range of options to suit their individual interests, training needs and career goals. Teaching, learning and assessment are structured around critical engagement with the material in which students are encouraged to be active participants in seminar discussions and presentations, to enhance their critical reading, thinking and writing skills in written assessments, and to develop their independent research skills through an individually supervised thesis based on a substantive topic aligned to their interests, needs and goals.

Related Programmes
MSc Comparative Social Change FT
MA Race, Migration & Decolonial Studies FT
MSc Sociology FT
MA Social & Political Thought FT
MSc Social Data Science FT

90 credits taught masters - 60 credits taught modules and 30 credit Dissertation

Core Modules:
• Social and Political Thought
• Sociological Research: Theoretical and Applied Issues
• Qualitative Research
• Dissertation

Option Modules:
• Sciences, Technologies and Society
• Economic Globalisation & Social Change
• Population and Society
• Organised Violence and Society
• Critical Race & Decolonial Theory
• Religion in Comparative Perspective
• Nationalism & Social Change
• Social Simulation: Methods and Models
• Policing & Social Conflict
• Health, Illness and Society
• Soc Thinking in the Digital Age
• AI and Society

Please note modules offered may be subject to change.

Stage 1 - Core
Dissertation SOC40140
Sociological Research: theoretical and applied issues SOC40220
Workshop in Qualitative Research SOC40330
Social and Political Thought: Basic texts and discussions SOC40730

Stage 1 - Option
Policing & Social Conflict SOC40080
Economic Globalisation and Social Change SOC40230
Nationalism and Social Change SOC40620
Social Simulation: Methods and Models SOC40640
Population and Society SOC40690
Organised Violence and Society SOC40720
Crit Race & Decolonial Theory SOC40930
Sciences, Technologies & Societies SOC41030
Religion in Compar Perspective SOC41060
Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age SOC41070
AI and Society SOC41130
Masters Sociology 3 SOC41140
Comparing Healthcare Systems SPOL40470

Application Deadlines
Students who require Visas March 25th
All other Applicatants June 30th

Applicants should normally have a primary degree in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline. A Second Class Honours Grade One (2:1) or higher is required but Second Class Honours Grade Two (2:2) standard or equivalent may be considered. Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but can confirm professional qualifications and/or experience will be considered. Applicants may be called for an interview.

All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). Test results must be less than two years old.

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

A NOTE ON SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
Supporting documentation must be submitted by all students. Applications will not be considered unless all documents are submitted immediately and received by UCD before the closing date. Documents must be uploaded to the Online Applications system.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MA Sociology FT (W438)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

MA Sociology PT (W439)
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.

90

MA Sociology FT (W438): 1 year full-time
MA Sociology PT (W439): 2 years part-time

MA Sociology (W438) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 7315
nonEU fee per year - € 19900

MA Sociology (W439) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4760
nonEU fee per year - € 9950

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website

Next Intake: 2020/2021 September

Careers & Employability
The UCD School of Sociology Masters programmes are highly regarded by a range of public and private sector employers, national, EU and international institutions and civil society organisations.

The cross-disciplinary content of these programme means there are exciting opportunities for students in a wide and dynamic range of professions including careers in: Media and Public Relations; Policy Analysis and Service Provision; Social, Community and Youth Development; Politics and Civil Society; and in Cultural and Creative Industries.

Recent graduates include those who proceed to PhD research as well as those now working as:

- University Lecturers in Dublin, Belfast, United States
- Researchers at ESRI and RCSI
- Journalists and Radio Presenters, RTE
- Community Workers in Belfast and Dublin
- Founder, Independent Community-Based Research Company, Ireland
- Writer and Editor, Humanitarian Organisation, Wicklow
- International Writer, Producer and Film Maker, Dublin

A large number of our Graduates continue through to PhD level. Some professions require further training, qualifications or certification.