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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.

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

Vision and Values Statement
The vision of this programme is to transform students into specialists in the field of politics at the levels of both theory and practice and to allow them participate effectively in both theoretical and practical debates in that field.

Programme Outcomes
develop students' presentational skills
develop student's research and professional development skills
enhance students' problem solving power
develop oral presentation skills
enhance group work skills
equip students with the skills necessary to understand and critically assess issues in politics and international relations

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.

Number of credits

Careers or further progression

Careers & Employability
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

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

Research Design
POL40640

Political Theory and the EU
POL42000

Stage 1 - Option
Gender War and Violence
GS40050

Asylum and Refugee: Law, Politics and Rights
LAW41310

Theories of International Relations
POL40050

Politics of Development
POL40100

International Political Theory
POL40140

Comparative Public Policy
POL40160

Thesis
POL40190

Africa: Crisis and Opportunity?
POL40320

International Political Economy
POL40370

EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Pol.
POL40610

Governing the Global Economy
POL40820

Politics of European Governance
POL40970

Politics of Human Rights
POL41020

Theory of Human Rights
POL41030

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

Theories of International Relations – Stream 2
POL41800

Political Violence
POL41910

Political Behaviour in the Middle East and North Africa
POL41920

Psychology of Conflict in the Middle East
POL41930

Gender and Security
POL41970

Peace & Conflict Studies
POL41980

Ethnic Conflict
POL41990

Nationalism and Social Change
SOC40620

Comment

Student Internships
SPIRe's MA Internship opportunities

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

How to apply?
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.

Course fee

MA Politics (W023) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8225
nonEU fee per year - € 19200

MA Politics (W111) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 5405
nonEU fee per year - € 9600

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.