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Professional Certificate Data & Methods for Policy Analysis

ProfCert (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The objective of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake policy analysis in a professional setting. The skills acquired on this course are intended to prepare students to undertake internships, complete a research thesis and commence careers in policy related roles.
Key topics covered in the module include:
- The availability and accessibility of key data sources for national, international, and comparative policy analysis.
- The principal methods used to gather qualitative and quantitative data for policy analysis.
- How to formulate a policy research question and write a policy report.
- How to critically evaluate a policy report.

About This Course

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
 SPOL41020 Data & Methods for Policy Analysis Autumn  10

Professional Certificate Data & Methods for Policy Analysis (W466) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 1250

***Fees are subject to change

Entry requirements will be identical to those obtaining for the current Public Policy programme intake (fulltime and part- time):

The academic minimum standard for admission to a Masters programme is an Upper Second Class degree or its equivalent. Relevant professional experience and motivation will be considered where the first degree was taken in a field with little or no relevance to the social sciences, or where the first degree was taken a long time ago (eg more than ten years prior to application).

Relevant professional experience and motivation may also be taken into account in the case of students who have not attained the minimum academic standards: in this case, they may be offered a place on the Graduate Diploma programme, with the possibility of transferring to the MP, subject to academic performance and grades attained.

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.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Professional Certificate Data & Methods for Policy Analysis:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W466
Professional Certificate Data & Methods for Policy Analysis
Professional Certificate

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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