- To thoroughly familiarise students with cutting edge research in the broad area of gender, politics and international relations.
- Allow students to connect theoretical debates on gender with real-world political issues and policymaking.
- Facilitate students' professional development to work as gender experts.
- Expand students’ methodological research expertise.
- Develop students’ independent research capabilities.
- Enhance students’ writing skills.
- Develop oral presentation skills.
- Enhance teamwork skills.
Internships Available
Sustainable Development Goals
This course is available through the following application route(s)
Please read our FAQ page before proceeding to the Contact Us button above.
Visit Our Website for Further Information such as Entry Requirement and Application Documents.
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.
The MA in Gender, Politics and International Relations is an intensive course that prepares you for a career in research, policy, or advocacy in international organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies, or academia.
Gender is a fundamental aspect of both the international and domestic political systems. This programme facilitates students to become specialists in understanding how gender shapes both individual and group interactions with politics on the national and global level.
About This Course
Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in:
- United Nations, New York and Geneva
- World Trade Organisation
- Asia Development Bank
- Saatchi & Saatchi
- Credit Suisse First Boston
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 |
POL42040 | Gender & the Political System | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL42330 | Research Design | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 10CR: Students must select at least one module in this section. |
DEV40020 | Gender and Development | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 10CR: Students must select at least one module in this section. |
POL41720 | Gender, Peace, and Security | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
EQUL40310 | Masculinities, Gender and Equality | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
GS40110 | Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL40050 | Theories of International Relations | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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 | Politics of Development | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL40130 | Poverty, Development and Global Justice | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL40140 | Theories of Global Justice | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL40950 | Introduction to Statistics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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. |
GS40030 | Gender, Inequality and Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
GS40120 | Decoloniality and Intersectionality Thinking | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
LAW42290 | Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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: 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 | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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: 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: 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. |
POL42050 | Quantitative Text Analysis | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL42340 | Programming for Soc Scientists | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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 | IR Theory: Conflict and Identity | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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: 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. |
POL42530 | Politics of International Trade and Investment | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 20CR: 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. |
POL42580 | Arab Perceptions of Conflict | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students must select either the thesis or the internship. |
POL42300 | SPIRe Internship | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students must select either the thesis or the internship. |
POL42310 | Thesis | Summer | 30 |
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:
Lucía Núñez Roncero
This Master's was perfect for me because it combines the three disciplines I am most interested in, and it looks at International Relations and Politics from a gender perspective. It also has an intersectional perspective and tackles structural inequalities and systems of power and privilege, which was very important to me.
This program allows you to pick from a wide range of electives and decide whether you want to engage in courses in the field of gender studies, International Relations theory, political theory, policy-making, European governance, etc., allowing you to craft your studies towards your ideal career, which was very useful to me and all my classmates. If you follow the MA path, the chance to do an internship instead of a thesis is fantastic if practical experience is what you are lacking, and you will still gain a lot of knowledge on how to conduct research during your studies. UCD and SPIRe provide a wide range of opportunities to their students. I have had the opportunity to attend multiple conferences and guest lectures of important figures in Ireland and around the world. I have also been hired as a Research Assistant by one of my professors for my internship, and I am fortunate to be learning directly what it is like to participate in a big research project on the field of Political Science
MA Gender, Politics and International Relations (W458) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Gender, Politics and International Relations (W459) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 11300
EU fee per year - € 6580
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Gender, Politics and International Relations (W459) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 11300
EU fee per year - € 6580
***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.
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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.
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Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
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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/
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: Yes
The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law/international law etc. with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent (an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system). Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Gender, Politics and International Relations:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W458 MA Gender, Politics and International Relations Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W459 MA Gender, Politics and International Relations Master of Arts Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page