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MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now
The MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs is especially designed for those people with an interest in public policy debates, e.g. in journalism, the civil service, public policy research institutes, etc.. At the same time, it will be useful for any job requiring a subtle understanding of debate and disagreement, or requiring close attention to texts. 
  • Unique combination of philosophy and social science
  • Close attention from dissertation supervisor
  • Vibrant academic and social community
  • UCD School of Philosophy is ranked in top 100 QS rankings 2024

MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs programme is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the core areas of philosophy and its application to public affairs at graduate level.  It is also intended to provide a good foundation of graduate work for students who wish to continue to more advanced graduate research.  It aims to provide an integration of social and political theory with the philosophical implications of the area.  The School of Philosophy encourages our students to be critical philosophical thinkers with the ability to reflect on current philosophical debates, history of philosophical thought and add their own contribution. We aim to provide a learning environment that fosters collegiality and a pluralistic approach to the main areas of philosophy and encourages students to engage critically with questions.  As the largest teaching and research centre in philosophy in Ireland, the programme benefits from many world-leading figures in philosophy that give invited seminars and conferences throughout the year.  Small group seminars and participation in conferences and workshops are a key element of the programme design.  As such, the programme uses key approaches to teaching such as philosophical debates, critical reflections, essays and paper presentations.

About This Course

  • A deepened appreciation of the significance and value of ideas in and for internationalisation and globalisation
  • A detailed study of foundational questions of public policy. Delivered with the Schools of Social Policy and Social Justice, Sociology, Politics and International Relations
  • A grasp of how to pursue a career in academic life and the acquiring of transferable skills in research and organisation
  • A knowledge of how to write research proposals and attain funding from national and international organisations
  • An awareness of how to compose and structure philosophical writing for peer reviewed journals, book collections and monographs
  • An awareness of how to present and defend philosophical papers in seminars, workshops, conferences and other fora.
  • An enhanced awareness of how to work with texts, organise a thesis and set out extended philosophical arguments clearly and compellingly.
  • An enhanced awareness of the relevance of philosophy to other academic disciplines and to personal, professional and political life.
  • An extensive knowledge of library and online sources that facilitate research, including classical and foreign language sources.

Graduates of the programme have gone into diverse areas such as public or private research institutes, local, national or international institutions as policy analysts, firms operating in the global market and looking for professionals capable of understanding and  interpreting political, social and economic trends and devising long-term strategic plans, media, journalism, publishing
and the NGOs.

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
 PHIL40030 Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:
Philosophy Option Group
 PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 GEOG40970 Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL40100 Politics of Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL40370 International Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Social Sciences Option Group
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of:
Theory Option Group
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

SDG1 SDG2 SDG3 SDG4 SDG5 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 16 SDG 17

Ruth Hurley
MA Philosophy and Public Affairs 2020/2021

The Masters of Arts in Philosophy and Public Affairs offers a freedom to explore interdisciplinary subjects of interest and identify how each subject plays a role in your understanding of the world. As a graduate with a wide set of interests this flexibility allowed me to focus on how one’s public engagement in society is inextricably linked to our private sphere of family and morality and how the individual enters civic life with both a private understanding of oneself and how society perceives them. Since graduating, I now work on community-based, innovative European Union funded projects that promote the community’s future in employment with the Ballymun Job Centre Co-op Ltd. The dynamic approach this course offers, by using both theoretical and practical insights, has no doubt influenced my ability to work in the field of Career Guidance and Community Development.

MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs (W182) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs (W183) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***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.

Applicants need at least four philosophy courses as part of an undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript); an overall mark of B- (60%) in your undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript); two academic letters of reference and a sample of philosophical writing, such as an undergraduate essay.

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


The programme is suitable for those who have studied some philosophy as part of a university BA degree, but who also have an interest in public affairs and the social sciences. It is suited to studens who are looking for an abstract, theoretical component and a practical, empirical component in a single programme or those looking to continue their studies in a much more focused environment with like-minded peers and with more support from experienced staff.

Students will develop your skills of critical analysis in both speech and writing. You will develop precision and clarity in your self-expression. You will develop a much more nuanced appreciation of central philosophical questions, with a particular sensitivity to the problems of applying theory to practice in areas of public policy. You will have the challenge of writing the dissertation (12-15,000 words), and of really getting to grips with a problem and with other philosophers’ and social scientists' approaches to that problem.

The MA in Philosophy and Public Affairs is especially designed for those people with an interest in public policy debates, e.g. in journalism, the civil service, public policy research institutes, etc.. At the same time, it will be useful for any job requiring a subtle understanding of debate and disagreement, or requiring close attention to texts. Finally, the MA will also provide an excellent grounding for those wishing to pursue research work to the doctoral level, either in philosophy or in one of the social sciences.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs:

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W182
MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
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W183
MA in Philosophy & Public Affairs
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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