Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Political Studies  (PTJ4)

BA (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Politics and International Relations
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Alexander Dukalskis
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 25
Stage 3: 25
Stage 4: 25

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:
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments


Stage 2

Stage 2 students must complete 3 core modules and 2 option modules.

Stage 3

Stage 3 students must complete 25 credits.

Stage 4

Stage 4 students must complete 25 credits.

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 2 Core Modules
 INRL20040 International Relations: Introduction to Theories and Empirics 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 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL10170 Foundations in Political Research Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20250 Irish Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students must select 2 of the Options listed. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20280 Politics of the Welfare State Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL30320 Gender in War & Peace Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL30350 International Justice Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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 Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30640 Deliberative Mini-Publics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30860 Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30890 The Politics of Organised Crime Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36250 Media Politics under Authoritarianism Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36270 Understanding Government: Theory and Reality Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36280 Politics of EU Social Policy Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30780 Justice in Education Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30870 Advanced Seminar in Politics 2 Spring  15
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30880 Capitalism and Democracy Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36100 Strategies of Politics Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36150 Power, Identity, and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36210 Climate Targets and Their Implementation in the European Regions (UZH) Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36290 The world as one democracy? Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20250 Irish Politics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20280 Politics of the Welfare State Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL30320 Gender in War & Peace Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL30350 International Justice Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. 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 Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30640 Deliberative Mini-Publics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30860 Advanced Seminar in Politics 1 Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30890 The Politics of Organised Crime Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36160 Northern Ireland Politics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36180 Politics of Care Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36250 Media Politics under Authoritarianism Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36270 Understanding Government: Theory and Reality Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36280 Politics of EU Social Policy Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30660 Data Analytics for Social Sciences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30680 Gender and Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30690 Introduction to Asian Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30780 Justice in Education Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30840 Electoral Systems and their Consequences Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30870 Advanced Seminar in Politics 2 Spring  15
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL30880 Capitalism and Democracy Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36100 Strategies of Politics Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36150 Power, Identity, and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36210 Climate Targets and Their Implementation in the European Regions (UZH) Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36240 Diplomacy & Int. Organisation Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL36290 The world as one democracy? Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20010 Topics in Intl Development Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20080 Irish Foreign Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 INRL20160 Introduction to European Union Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20250 Irish Politics Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20270 Post-Soviet Politics Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 5CR:
Students must take 25 option credits in stage 3. 20 credits should be taken from Level 3 modules and 5 credits from a Level 2 module. Additional options can be selected in place of electives.
 POL20280 Politics of the Welfare State Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
Stage 2 - 30.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS027 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.