Explore UCD

UCD Home >

MA Political Theory

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Available

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

Contact Us
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

  • allow students participate in political debates informed by theory
  • develop oral presentation skills
  • develop students' capacities for critical reflection on issues of political theory
  • enhance group work skills
  • enhance students' research and writing skills
  • familiarise students with key issues and schools of thought in political theory

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

Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in: UK Foreign Office, US State Department, Irish Civil Service, University College London, and University of Melbourne.

 

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
 POL42330 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL36110 Comparative Political Theory Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42530 Politics of International Trade and Investment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42550 Feminist Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 SPOL41110 Ideas, Ideology in Public Pol. Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40100 Politics of Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40370 International Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL41910 Political Violence Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42430 IR Theory: Conflict and Identity Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of:
Option Modules
 POL42560 AI and Large Language Models Spring  10

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
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600
EU          fee per year - € 10350

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. 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.

SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme, which normally opens in late Spring. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. Please note that not all programmes are eligible for this Scholarship.

  • 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.

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 applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent, such as an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system. Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account. 
Print this page

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

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W277
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W278
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W277
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W278
MA Political Theory
Master of Arts
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
Contact UsOpen Days & EventsDownload Brochure
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.