The ELG programme is offered jointly by the UCD School of Law and the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), both of which have large, internationally-renowned academic staffs in this area. The programme includes (1) substantive coursework in both of the sponsoring schools, (2) training in research methods, (3) regular contact with a supervisor from either of the sponsoring schools and a Research Studies Panel of three staff including at least one from each sponsoring school, and (4) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research. Students in the programme register to the school where their supervisor is located. They are also associated during their studies with the UCD Dublin European Institute, Ireland’s largest and oldest university research centre on European integration and governance.
In addition to writing a research thesis, ELG students must complete 40 credits of taught coursework. The content of this requirement differ slightly (see below) depending on whether they are registered through Law or SPIRe. All ELG students also have the option of pursuing additional coursework in Law, SPIRe or other Schools (such as Business, Economics, Sociology, etc.) to deepen their substantive knowledge and/or methodological skills.
The core seminars for students who enroll in the ELG programme through SPIRe are:
- POL 50020 European and International Governance
- LAW 41040 Law and Governance of the EU
- POL 50030 Research Design
- GSBL 50050 Methods for Qualitative Research
In addition, it is strongly advised that SPIRe’s ELG students take the POL 50150 PhD Thesis Workshop in their 3rd year.
The core seminars for students who enroll in the ELG programme through Law are:
- POL 41650 The Global Political Economy of Europe
- LAW 41040 Law and Governance of the EU
- LAW 50010 Advanced Research in Law
And any one of the following:
- POL 50030 Research Design
- GSBL 50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research
- POL 50150 PhD Thesis Workshop
For more information on the academic specializations of academic staff in the two sponsoring schools, see www.ucd.ie/law and www.ucd.ie/spire.
For more information on the UCD Dublin European Institute, see www.ucd.ie/dei.