- allow students participate as commentators and/or practitioners in the arena of European public policy
- develop methodological research expertise
- develop oral presentation skills
- develop students' research and writing skills
- enhance group work skills
- enhance students' understanding of European policy debates
- generally enhance students' abilities for critical appraisal
MSc European Politics & Policy
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 Science
- Next Intake:
- September
- Country Specific Entry Requirements:
- Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
- Other School Leaving Requirements:
- See www.ucd.ie/admissions
- Duration:
- 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Part-Time
- Delivery:
- On Campus
- NFQ Level:
- 9 (90 credits)
- Level:
- Graduate Taught
- Award:
- Master of Science
- Next Intake:
- September
- Country Specific Entry Requirements:
- Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
- Other School Leaving Requirements:
- See www.ucd.ie/admissions
World Top 100 in the QS Ranking 2024 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.
Visit Our Website for Further Information such as Entry Requirement and Application Documents.
This MSc European Politics & Policy programmme aims to equip students with a deep and comprehensive knowledge of European politics and international relations, to critically appriase denates around European integration and to establish a basis for students' professional development as European policy specialists
- Students will gain a well-grounded knowledge of the issues facing European governance and the manner in which different European political systems have sought to address the challenges they face in an increasingly Europeanized and globalized world.
- MSc students will learn skills in research design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and use these skills to analyse questions of substantive interest in a rigorous and systematic manner.
About This Course
Graduates can work within European institutions, with international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations. Organisations including the European Union, the United Nations and IMF are all potential employers, with students having the skills to compete for roles such as Government Social Researcher, Diplomatic Advisor, and Public Affairs Consultant.
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.
Trimester | Credits | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL40950 | Introduction to Statistics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL40970 | Politics of European Governance | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL40540 | Comparative European Politics | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL41640 | Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL42310 | Thesis | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
LAW41040 | Law and Governance of the EU | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL36200 | Democracy, Elections and Campaigns | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL41020 | Politics of Human Rights | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL41980 | Peace & Conflict Studies | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL42040 | Gender & the Political System | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL42530 | Politics of International Trade and Investment | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
HRM40720 | Work & Employment in the Global Economy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL30840 | Electoral Systems and their Consequences | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL40160 | Comparative Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL40610 | EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Pol. | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL41910 | Political Violence | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL42050 | Quantitative Text Analysis | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: Choose 2 of: |
POL42350 | Connected_Politics 2 | Spring | 10 |
Liam Kiernan
This master’s programme gave me a clear understanding of politics in Europe, with multidisciplinary modules offering in-depth analyses of political science, public policy and European governance. A diverse range of high-quality and challenging modules were available to choose between.
The programme provided me with the opportunity to use my own initiative in studying the topics that interested me most, while supporting my learning along the way. I particularly enjoyed the hands-on elements of the programme that combined theoretical learning with practical applications. Completing this programme served to kickstart my career and provided me with a clearer view of my professional interests and ambitions.
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MSc European Politics & Policy (W345) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6580
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
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 masters programs in European Politics and Policy-making aim to attract students interested in understanding European Politics and the challenges faced by European states in the 21st century.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc European Politics & Policy:
ROWCLASS | Apply to |
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showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W344 MSc European Politics & Policy Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W345 MSc European Politics & Policy Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |