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Politics  (PTI2)

BCL (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Politics and International Relations
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Civil Law
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Graham Finlay
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 10
Stage 2: 20
Stage 3: 20
Stage 4: 20

Curricular information is subject to change.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Numeracy
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Social responsibility e.g. UCD In the Community and UCD Volunteers Overseas
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments


Stage 1

Students take two core modules in politics.

Stage 2

Take three core modules and select one option module.

Stage 3

Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules.

Stage 4

Two modules (20 credits in total) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/POL30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules - Politics
 POL10160 Foundations of Contemporary Politics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules - Politics
 POL10180 Foundations of Pol Theory Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Politics
 INRL20040 International Relations: Introduction to Theories and Empirics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Politics
 POL20010 Individuals and the State: The Idea of Freedom in the History of Political Thought Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules - Politics
 POL20020 Comparative Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL10170 Foundations in Political Research Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL10120 Foundations in Global Development Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL20250 Irish Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Select one option module.
POL20280 Politics of the Welfare State Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 DEV30010 Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 INRL30320 Gender in War & Peace Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 INRL30330 Integration and Fragmentation in the Global System Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 INRL30350 International Justice Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 INRL30400 EU Foreign Policy: understanding how the European Union and its member states engage with the world Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30640 Deliberative Mini-Publics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30890 The Politics of Organised Crime Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36250 Media Politics under Authoritarianism Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36270 Understanding Government: Theory and Reality Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36280 Politics of EU Social Policy Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30780 Justice in Education Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL30880 Capitalism and Democracy Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36100 Strategies of Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36150 Power, Identity, and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsA) Min 1 of:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO level-3 modules or B) ONE level-3 module and TWO level-2 modules. The total credit should be 20.
 POL36290 The world as one democracy? Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL10170 Foundations in Political Research Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL10120 Foundations in Global Development Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL20050 Research Methods in Political Science Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL20250 Irish Politics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - - PoliticsC) Min 0CR:
Stage 3 students may select either A) TWO 10-credit modules or B) ONE 10-credit module and TWO 5-credit modules. Students who wish to take POL20050 must complete POL10170 in Autumn.
 POL20280 Politics of the Welfare State Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 DEV30010 Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 INRL30320 Gender in War & Peace Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 INRL30330 Integration and Fragmentation in the Global System Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 INRL30350 International Justice Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 INRL30400 EU Foreign Policy: understanding how the European Union and its member states engage with the world Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30640 Deliberative Mini-Publics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30860 Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30890 The Politics of Organised Crime Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36250 Media Politics under Authoritarianism Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36270 Understanding Government: Theory and Reality Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36280 Politics of EU Social Policy Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30780 Justice in Education Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30870 Advanced Seminar in Politics 2 Spring  15
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL30880 Capitalism and Democracy Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36100 Strategies of Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36150 Power, Identity, and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - - PoliticsB)2 of:
20 credits (TWO Level 3 10 cr modules) must be selected here. Students wishing to select POL30860/30870 must contact the administration office in the Politics Department. They must be taken together.
 POL36290 The world as one democracy? Spring  10

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