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Politics & International Relations

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Do you want to understand how governments, parliaments, parties and international organisations work? Do you wish to develop a knowledge base in the causes, consequences and solutions to war, political violence and poverty? Do you want to develop skills in social science research methods and how to formulate a coherent and persuasive argument? With a degree in Politics and International Relations, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to analyse the complex interplay between national and international political institutions, systems and forces.

About This Course

Do you want to understand how governments, parliaments, parties and international organisations work? Do you wish to develop a knowledge base in the causes, consequences and solutions to war, political violence and poverty? Do you want to develop skills in social science research methods and how to formulate a coherent and persuasive argument? With a degree in Politics and International Relations, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to analyse the complex interplay between national and international political institutions, systems and forces.

In first year, you will be introduced to the core areas of Politics & International Relations, giving you a solid foundation for future study. In subsequent years, you will pursue the topics that interest you most. Examples of modules include:

First Year

Foundations of International Relations • Foundations of Political Theory • Foundations of Contemporary Politics • Foundations in Political Research • All first-year social sciences students also study the core module, Societal Challenges in the Twenty First Century • + 1 other subject • Elective module

Second Year

Individuals & the State • Law, Politics & Human Rights • Comparative Politics • International Relations • Research Methods in Political Science • Irish Politics • European Union • Sustainable Development Goals • + 1 other subject • Introduction to Chinese Politics • Introduction to Middle East Politics • Elective modules

Third Year & Fourth Year

International Political Economy • International Justice • Politics of Organised Crime • Terrorism & Political Violence • Democracy, Elections and Campaigns • Data Analytics for the Social Sciences • Media & Politics • Introduction to Asian Politics • Deliberative Mini-Publics • Gender & Politics • + 1 other subject • Elective modules

Students can apply to study a single-subject Politics & International Relations degree at the end of second year.

Assessment

Students attend lectures and tutorials as well as undertaking independent study. Assessment is in the form of a combination of continuous assessment and end-of trimester written exams.

Internship Opportunities

In third year, students can apply for an optional paid internship for one trimester in a range of organisations in the public and private sector, which help to inform future career decisions through real-world experience.

Study Politics & International Relations (BSc Social Sciences)

Archaeology Mathematics
Economics Sociology
Geography Social Justice
Information & Communication Studies Statistics
Philosophy

Linguistics Irish/Gaeilge
Chinese Italian
French Spanish
German

Philosophy, Politics & Economics Computational Social Science

Click To View The BSc Social Sciences Course Combination Grid


Study Politics (BA Humanities)

History

Click To View The BA Arts Course Combination Grid

Study abroad opportunities in third year include: Sciences Po, France; University of Bergen, Norway; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; University of Lund, Sweden; Universität zu Köln, Germany; Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy; George Washington University, the United States; University of Tokyo; University of Hong Kong. Students studying Politics with Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish will study abroad for their third year.

There is a wide range of national and international employment opportunities in the public and private sector, including:

The Irish civil service, the European Commission, international agencies such as the UN, IMF and World Bank, NGOs, print and broadcast media, the diplomatic service, business, administration and research. MA and MSc degrees in UCD open to graduates include: Politics, Political Theory, International Relations, International Development, Peace & Conflict, Human Rights, European Public Affairs & Law, International Political Economy, Public Policy, Gender & Politics.

Undergraduate Office

UCD School of Politics and International Relations



spire@ucd.ie


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
POL10160 Foundations of Contemporary Politics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
POL10170 Foundations in Political Research Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
INRL10020 Foundations of Intl Relations Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
POL10180 Foundations of Pol Theory Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
INRL20040 Theories and Concepts in International Relations Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
POL20010 Individuals and the State: The Idea of Freedom in the History of Political Thought Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
POL20020 Comparative Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
POL20050 Research Methods in Political Science Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
DEV30010 Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30330 Integration and Fragmentation in the Global System Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30370 Terrorism & Political Violence Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30780 Justice in Education Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36120 Gender, Religion & Colonialism Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36190 Political Networks Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36200 Democracy, Elections and Campaigns Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30390 Foreign Policy Mistakes Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30400 EU Foreign Policy: understanding how the European Union and its member states engage with the world Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36150 Feminist Perspectives on Social Policy Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36220 Political Communication and Propaganda Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36230 Authoritarian Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select a minimum of 25 credits overall for stage 3. Select at least 20 credits from this list. If you are studying abroad (Erasmus/non EU exchange) and/or undertaking an internship, please see registration guidelines here.Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
ECON30590 Economics of Gender Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
INRL20110 Intro to Middle East Politics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
MUS31330 Post-Truth, Politics & Music Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
POL36210 Climate Targets and Their Implementation in the European Regions (UZH) Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may choose 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your credit requirement for Stage 3.
SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
DEV30010 Sustainable Development through the Lens of Gender Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30330 Integration and Fragmentation in the Global System Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30370 Terrorism & Political Violence Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30780 Justice in Education Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30860 Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36120 Gender, Religion & Colonialism Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36190 Political Networks Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36200 Democracy, Elections and Campaigns Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30390 Foreign Policy Mistakes Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
INRL30400 EU Foreign Policy: understanding how the European Union and its member states engage with the world Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL30870 Advanced Seminar in Politics 2 Spring  15
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36150 Feminist Perspectives on Social Policy Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36220 Political Communication and Propaganda Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36230 Authoritarian Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Please select 25 option credits in stage 4 in total. 20 credits should be taken from the this list. The remaining 5 credits can be taken from either of the lists below. Students who wish to take POL30860 and POL30870 (must be taken together) should apply to the school directly. The top 15 applicants will get a place. These modules must be taken together. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
ECON30590 Economics of Gender Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
ECON30500 Field Experiments Social Sci Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
INRL20110 Intro to Middle East Politics Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
MUS31330 Post-Truth, Politics & Music Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
POL36210 Climate Targets and Their Implementation in the European Regions (UZH) Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
You may take 5 credits from option list B to fulfill your stage 4 requirements. Additional option module can be selected in place of an elective.
SSCI20030 Building Resilience Spring  5

I chose to study Politics and International Relations in UCD as it provided a structured degree that aligns with my interests. I enjoy the variety of the programme which allows me to study a wide range of aspects such as domestic policy, international politics, climate change and even quantitative data analysis. As part of my degree, I had the opportunity in third year to secure an internship at a political research institute which has been very rewarding. This course has opened up my career prospects as it has given me an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes in the civil service, European Union, Think Tanks, NGO’s and private corporations who are all looking to recruit individuals with the skills I have developed throughout my degree.

Joey Donald , Student

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Politics & International Relations:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
showAudience-audienceEU
DN700
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Politics & International Relations:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceInt
SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.