This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Dual MA in International War Studies will be offered by University College Dublin and the University of Potsdam, where the only Chair of Military History in Germany is based. Students will spend one academic year in each institution. The MA will enable students to experience two different academic structures (in Germany and Ireland), taking advantage of the rich cultural offerings and research facilities in Dublin, Potsdam and nearby Berlin.
The programme will be fully taught in English, however students are encouraged to learn an additional language to strengthen their international profile. It will enable students to acquire a comprehensive and advanced knowledge of the main areas of the history of war in the twentieth century. All modules will be delivered by leading experts in the field, ensuring research led teaching throughout the course.
This programme enables students to:
The MA in International War Studies is a 120-credit programme. It has a modular structure based on year one at the University of Potsdam and year two at University College Dublin. Compulsory modules in year one will include: Introduction to International War Studies (9 credits), Military and Society in the Age of Total Wars, 1792-1945 (15 credits) and a module (6 credits) on academic writing or on literature and primary sources. Options in year one include Military and Society after 1945 (15 credits), International History since the Early 20th Century (15 credits), Civil-Military Relations in the Social Sciences (15 credits), Related Study Areas of Military History (15 credits), Violence, War and Memory in Contemporary History (15 credits), Conflict, Security and Armed Forces - Historical and Social Science Approaches (15 credits), Security Studies (15 credits).
Compulsory modules in year two will include: Modern History and Politics (10 credits), Political Violence in 20th Century Europe (10 credits), War Studies (10 credits). The programme will culminate in the writing of a dissertation worth 30 credits.
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 Options - *A) Min 2 of: Students must take HIS42420 and HIS42430 in year 1. |
HIS42420 | War Studies 1 (Potsdam) | Autumn | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - *A) Min 2 of: Students must take HIS42420 and HIS42430 in year 1. |
HIS42430 | War Studies 2 (Potsdam) | Spring | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - *A1)1 of: Students must take HIS42560 in year 2. |
HIS42560 | Dissertation (War Studies) | Year-long (12 months) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS32730 | The Digital Humanities | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS41780 | Origins of Modern Diplomacy | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42390 | Global Revolutions | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42810 | French Colonial Identities in North Africa | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42840 | Modern Asia | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42850 | NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42970 | Gender in Ireland, 1500-1800 | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42380 | Research Collaboration | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42480 | War, Peace, and Globalisation | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42860 | The Body in Modern Warfare | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42950 | How the West came to rule | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of: In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options. |
HIS42980 | Middle East State & Society | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40580 | News Media Today | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40590 | Trump's America | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40620 | Journalism & International Aff | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40310 | Challenges in US Foreign Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40570 | The U.S. and the Middle East | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40650 | Politics and Digital Storytelling | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options. |
AMST40700 | Cyber, AI and Intern Conflict | 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:
The fees for this programme is split over two years. Fees are payable in both years to University College Dublin (UCD).
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.
Fees are payable in installments.
Administrative fees are payable each semester in Year 1 to University of Potsdam.
Summer 24/25 fee is pending.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Students will have a minimum qualification of 2.1 in a relevant subject or an equivalent UCD GPA of 3.08.
For non-English speakers evidence of language proficiency is required, for example IELTS of 6.5 overall or equivalent in TOEFL with no band lower than 6.0. Students who achieve an IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 will need to attend a pre-sessional language course. Students will be selected by a joint board composed by senior academics from UCD and Potsdam.
You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course.
You will be required to provide an academic writing sample, e.g. an essay written during your degree or dissertation. (there is no word limit)
Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.Ideally both academic but they can also be one academic and one professional. You can upload your references to your application itself or if your referees prefer, they can email their letters of reference to gradhistory@ucd.ie.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Applicants need an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Students will have a minimum qualification of 2.1 in a relevant subject or an equivalent UCD GPA of 3.08. For non-English speakers evidence of language proficiency is required, for example IELTS of 6.5 overall or equivalent in TOEFL with no band lower than 6.0. Students who achieve an IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 will need to attend a pre-sessional language course. Students will be selected by a joint board composed of senior academics from UCD and Potsdam.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to International War Studies:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | Z258 International War Studies Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught |
