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University College Dublin

Philosophy & Public Affairs

MA Philosophy & Public Affairs

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
The MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs is especially designed for those people with an interest in public policy debates, e.g. in journalism, the civil service, public policy research institutes, etc.. At the same time, it will be useful for any job requiring a subtle understanding of debate and disagreement, or requiring close attention to texts. 

- Unique combination of philosophy and social science
- Close attention from dissertation supervisor
- Vibrant academic and social community

Entry requirements

Applicants need at least four philosophy courses as part of an undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript); an overall mark of B - (60%) in your undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript); two academic letters of reference and a sample of philosophical writing, such as an undergraduate essay.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
It is very difficult to generalise about the career paths of our MA graduates. A small number continue into PhD programmes both at UCD and abroad. Others have gone into journalism, the civil service, secondary school teaching, NGOs, think tanks and the corporate world.

Related Programmes
MA Philosophy & Public Affairs FT

Further enquiries

Contact Name: Helen Kenny
Contact Number: +353 (0)1 716 8186

Subjects taught

Students have to take the 'flagship' module, 'The Good Society', taught by a philosopher and a social scientist. In addition, students must take two further modules from the following three:
(i) 'Law, Liberty and the State',
(ii) 'Critical Theory',
(iii) 'Religion and Society'.

The other three modules are to be taken from a list of approved modules in other social science schools

While it is recommended that full-time students take three modules in each semester, it is up to the student. Students must then complete the dissertation by the end of August, and this will be worth 30 credits.

Stage 1 - Core
Dissertation
PHIL40030
The Good Society
PHIL40420

Stage 1 - Option
Racism and Anti-Racism
EQUL40010
Education and Equality
EQUL40190
Disability and Equality
EQUL40200
Masculinities, Gender and Equality
EQUL40310
Autonomy as a Philosophical Problem
PHIL40840
Feminist & Gender Theory
PHIL41280
Topics in Continental Philos
PHIL41320
Philosophy of Criminal Law
PHIL41370
Dealing with Disagreement
PHIL41380
Politics of Development
POL40100
International Political Theory
POL40140
Comparative Public Policy
POL40160
Africa: Crisis and Opportunity?
POL40320
International Political Economy
POL40370
Ethnicity and Conflict
POL40380
Comparative European Politics
POL40540
Governing the Global Economy
POL40820
Theory of Human Rights
POL41030
Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa
POL41510
The Global Political Economy of Europe
POL41650
The Ethics of Immigration and Citizenship
POL41710

Comment

Who should apply?
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.