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MA Political Theory

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:
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.

Apply Now
Visit our comprehensive FAQ page for immediate answers about the application procedure, required documents, and more.
World Top 100 in the QS Ranking 2026 in Politics | Oldest and Largest School of its Kind in Ireland.

UCD School of Politics & International Relations is the oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies and a world-renowned faculty drawn from many countries.

As a crucial part of understanding our human condition, political theory has always been held to be a valuable activity. More recently, however, changes in contemporary societies have made such systematic thinking about politics indispensable to understanding and participating in the life of our own state and a newly global world.

 

  • Political theory addresses the more immediate practical concerns of politics and policy that are of concern to governments, the media, civil society groups and individual citizens.
  • Combines a rigorous approach to analysing these problems with an imaginative search for solutions.

About This Course

  • Analysing the moral thinking and conceptual framing of political debates.
  • Critically examining and evaluating the moral significance of the different factors relating to questions of climate change, international trade, the fight against poverty, reparations for historical injustice as well as other aspects of global and domestic justice.
  • Identifying, engaging, and evaluating with relevant scholarship in moral, politi-cal, and legal theory.
  • Enhancing your research skills.
  • Enhancing your oral and written argumentative skills.
  • Engaging and collaborating with a diverse cohort of peers with different back-grounds and outlooks.

Graduates work with a wide variety of national and international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations in roles including policy analysts, diplomats, lawyers, journalists.

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
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42330 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 10CR:
Core Option: Students must select at least one module in this section.
 POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 10CR:
Core Option: Students must select at least one module in this section.
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life: Technology & Human Health Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL40370 International Political Economy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41860 Political Economy of Aid and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42620 Global Governance & International Organizations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42640 Crisis of the Liberal World Order Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42650 Comparative Political Representation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 SPOL41110 Ideas, Ideology in Public Pol. Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 DEV40040 Corruption, Governance & Dev Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 DEV42600 Global Affairs & Sust Futures Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL36170 Respecting Diversity Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL40100 Development and Postcolonial Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL41870 Political Economy of Institutions Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42430 Conflict and Identity in International Relations Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR:
Option Modules: If you select 2 modules in the Core Option Section, select 2 modules here. If you select 1 module in the Core Option Section, select 3 modules here.
 POL42560 AI and Large Language Models 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 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. 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:

SDG3 SDG10 SDG 16

Luke Ecock

I enrolled on the MA in Political Theory to learn more about how our political institutions worked, where they failed, and what could, and should, be done better. Political theory is a study of a potential tomorrow: what should our political institutions look like? Who should they serve? I wanted to study on a programme that would point me towards the critical tools that could answer these questions, help me discover new ones, and confront today’s political challenges head on, which was precisely what the MA in Political Theory offered.

One of the reasons I chose SPIRE’s programme was its open and accessible curriculum. I do not have an educational background in politics, but the variety of modules available and the encouragement of students of all backgrounds meant that the MA in Political Theory was a hotbed of innovative ideas and diverse thinkers from all over the world. With this open-ended curriculum, I was able to put together a roster of modules that was unique to me and my interests. This meant that while my Tuesdays could be concentrated on questions concerning what constituted a just transition to renewable energy, my Thursdays might be spent investigating the probable causes behind wealth inequality.

The MA in Political Theory challenged me to leave my comfort zone and to think of how we live together and organise ourselves in new and exciting ways. The programme recognises that there is no one set of answers to the questions we have about our political institutions. Fresh ideas are always welcome, and with as academically adventurous as this cohort of peers and mentors, they were never in short supply.

MA Political Theory (W277) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Political Theory (W278) Part Time
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

 

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

  • Non-EU citizens are ineligible for part-time study except for those holding a valid non-student residency visa.
  • UCD Global offers several graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students who have received an offer for a UCD graduate degree programme. For further details, please visit the International Scholarships.
  • SPIRe operates the  SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. 

For further information, please visit our comprehensive FAQ page.

  • A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.
  • Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
  • English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement. Click here for further info.
  • Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 

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


Application Deadlines




  • Deadline for EU applicants: Monday, 7 September 2026 (The first day of the term)

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants: The end of August, 2026 

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants who require an entry visa in advance: 

    • In some countries, it takes a few months to process visa applications. We strongly advise that you apply well in advance, ideally as early as March. Please contact the Irish Embassy in your country or the UCD Global Regional offices for further information.

    • Non-EU citizens who have been living in Ireland or the EU must go through the EU Fee Assessment process before their applications can be assessed. This process takes a few weeks. 




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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Political Theory:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W277
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W278
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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