The EU is an increasingly important policy and legal actor. EU action cuts across virtually every policy field including security, economic policy, migration, human rights and the environment. The EU is a major source of regulation and requires ongoing engagement from multi-national and national corporations, NGOs and public authorities. Numerous and complex challenges facing governments and businesses require knowledge of European institutions and legal frameworks and awareness of public policy analysis, design and evaluation. Moreover, the European Union is going through a period of transition. The Eurocrisis, the migration crisis, problems with the rule of law and finally Brexit have forced a reflection on the future of Europe, its role and its institutional design. Brexit in particular will require a rethink of Ireland's engagement with Europe and will generate numerous legal and policy challenges for public and private bodies alike. In response to this DCU has established the Brexit Institute, Europe's first and Ireland's only centre designed to analyse the legal, political and economic impact of Brexit from both a research and a policy perspective.
The Masters in European Law and Policy aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate and addresses these challenges. A broad curriculum will familiarise students with the legislative and institutional structure of the European Union and the operation of EU law while equipping students with core skills of public policy design and analysis. Optional modules and a dissertation will enable students to specialise in key policy areas such as migration, the environment or EU foreign policy. A special effort is made to integrate legal and public policy skills and to consider law in light of policy requirements and the role of law in shaping and implementing policy.
Why do this course?
Gain expertise on the European Union and its role in law and policy making today
Join the growing number of policy makers and legal advisors working for public bodies, including the state, international and European institutions or as a legal or policy specialist in the private or NGO sector, navigating EU law and policy and engaging
Gain insight into the interaction of law and policy and their mutual influence
Increase your expertise in specific fields of European law and policy
Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module
Programme
The Masters in European Law and Policy is designed to integrate legal and policy analysis and to equip students with complementary knowledge and skills across both fields. It is designed to ensure students have a comprehensive grounding in both EU law and policy analysis while allowing for some specialisation in either law or policy through optional modules and the dissertation topic.
In the first semester you will study three core modules covering EU Institutional law and policy analysis alongside a research skills module specifically tailored to the needs of legal policy analysts. The second semester allows students to deepen their knowledge of key fields while maintaining an inter-disciplinary approach. Students choose three optional modules dealing with specific areas of law and policy. Students must choose at least one law and one policy based module. Finally, students will be expected to complete a dissertation in either law or public policy under the supervisor of an expert member of faculty.
Why DCU
•Draw on expertise across Ireland's most innovative university
•Study at the home of the Brexit Institute, Ireland's leading centre for the analysis of Brexit related law and policy
•Small class sizes with a diverse student body.
•Interactive, problem-based teaching style.
•Accessible lecturers with real expertise in their disciplines.
•Links to employers and a network of alumni.
Why do this programme?
•Gain expertise on the European Union and its role in law and policy making today
•Join the growing number of policy makers and legal advisors working for public bodies, including the state, international and European institutions or as a legal or policy specialist in the private or NGO sector, navigating EU law and policy and engaging with the law and policy making process
•Gain insight into the interaction of law and policy and their mutual influence
•Increase your expertise in specific fields of European law and policy
•Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module.