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University College Dublin

Politics

MA Politics
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
T‌he MA Politics degree, which was developed for those who wish to understand the role of politics in shaping the great issues of our day including power and conflict, distribution and inequality, relations between nations, and the new challenges of globalisation, financial crisis, national security, and climate change.

The course focuses on the two traditional pillars of the discipline political theory and comparative politics.

Comparative politics looks at the European nation-states in a comparative perspective.

Political theory the reflection on the nature and morality of politics.

Entry requirements

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law. 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.

- 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.

Duration

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

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
Graduates work with a wide variety of international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations, in roles that include:

Government Social Researcher
Diplomatic Advisor
Public Affairs Consultant
Public Relations Officer
Political Advisor

Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in:

United Nations, New York and Geneva
World Trade Organisation
IMF
OSCE
Asia Development Bank
Saatchi & Saatchi
Credit Suisse First Boston

Related Programmes
MA Politics & International Relations PT

Further enquiries

Contact Name: Katarzyna Glosnicka
Contact Number: +353 (0)1 716 8182

Subjects taught

The MA Politics is a 90-credit programme. Full-time students must take a total of 65 credits between core and optional taught modules. Students must also submit a thesis worth 25 credits that will be written during the summer term. MA students have the option of pursuing an internship in lieu of a thesis.

Full time students must take three 10-credit modules and a 5-credit Dissertation Design module in the first semester, and three 10-credit modules in the second semester. Students must also submit a thesis worth 25-credits or pursue an Internship instead.

Stage 1 - Core
Comparative European Politics
POL40540

Dissertation Design
POL41420

Geopolitics of Brexit
POL41940

Stage 1 - Option

Asylum and Refugee: Law, Politics and Rights
LAW41310

Politics of Development
POL40100

Comparative Public Policy
POL40160

Thesis
POL40190

EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Pol.
POL40610

Politics of European Governance
POL40970

Politics of Human Rights
POL41020

SPIRe Intership
POL41390

The Global Political Economy of Europe
POL41650

Gender in Peace and Conflict
POL41720

The Economics of Sust. Devel
POL41740

The Politics of Inequality
POL41780

Dissidents and Human Rights Defenders
POL41830

Political Violence
POL41910

Political Behaviour in the Middle East and North Africa
POL41920

Psychology of Conflict in the Middle East
POL41930

Public Opinion and Politics
POL41950

Comparative European Legislatures
POL41960

Ethnicity and Nationalism
SOC40620

Gender War and Violence
WS40330

Assessment method

You will be assessed by in-course or continuous assessment (essays, report writing, projects, mid-term tests, presentations) and a final examination.

Application date

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.

The following entry routes are available:

MA Politics FT (W023)
Duration 1 Years
Attendance Full Time
Deadline Rolling *

MA Politics PT (W111)
Duration 2 Years
Attendance Part Time
Deadline Rolling *

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised