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MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law

MEconSc (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Opportunity
Scholarships Available

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 Economic 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
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Economic 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
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now
Visit our comprehensive FAQ page for immediate answers about the application procedure, required documents, and more.
World Top 100 in the QS Ranking 2026 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.

An intensive, multi-disciplinary and tightly-focused programme of study on the European Union; its development, structures, decision-making and law as well as a major focus on the Union’s growing international role and capacity.

  •  designed to equip graduates with strong expertise in contemporary European affairs, based on a genuinely inter-disciplinary approach to the comparative study of Europe and the European Union. 
  • core modules in the internal and external affairs of the European Union, paying particular attention to contemporary changes in political and economic governance of the Euro area.

About This Course

  • To fully appraise students of key issues in European public affairs and law
  • develop methodological research expertise
  • develop oral presentation skills
  • develop students' capacities for critical reflection on European policies and processes
  • enhance group work skills
  • enhance students' research and writing skills

Graduates of our Master’s programme in European Public Affairs and Law go on to work across a wide range of sectors, from EU institutions and national government to consultancy, financial services, and the corporate world.

Government and public bodies: Our graduates have secured roles at the heart of European and Irish public administration, including the European Commission, the European Central Bank, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of the Taoiseach. These destinations reflect the programme’s direct relevance to careers in EU affairs and domestic policymaking.

Consultancy and advisory services: A strong cohort of graduates has moved into leading consultancy and advisory firms, including Deloitte Consulting, KPMG, Grant Thornton Ireland, and Edelman Global Advisory, where they advise clients on regulatory affairs, public policy, and European strategy.

Financial and professional services: The programme’s grounding in European law and regulation has proven attractive to employers in financial and professional services. Graduates have taken up positions at the Central Bank of Ireland, ISS (Institutional Shareholder Services), the Financial Reporting Council, and KPMG Luxembourg.

Corporate and technology: A number of graduates have gone on to roles within major international corporations, including Pfizer, Boeing, SAP, and SSE Renewables, working on regulatory compliance, government relations, and European affairs.

PhD programmes: Graduates of the School of Politics and International Relations have continued into doctoral programmes at internationally recognised institutions, including the University of Oxford, Northwestern University, Ghent University, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin.

Roles held by graduates span a broad spectrum, from EU Affairs Adviser and Policy Analyst to Public Affairs Consultant, Regulatory Specialist, and Corporate Counsel. Others have gone on to doctoral programmes or taken up positions in think tanks, EU institutions, and international organisations.

Instead of writing a thesis, students may opt to complete an internship in a role directly relevant to their field of study. The internship requires a minimum of 480 hours and may be undertaken anytime after the end of the teaching term until the third week of August. Students are responsible for securing their own internship placements. The School provides a list of potential host organisations. UCD Careers offers support with application writing and related resources. 


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
 LAW41040 Law and Governance of the EU 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 Options - A)30CR:
Summer Core Module: Students must select either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module.
 POL42300 SPIRe Internship Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)30CR:
Summer Core Module: Students must select either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module.
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
DEV42610 Economics of Sustainable Dev Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW40140 International Economic Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW40150 International Competition Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW40780 Law of the ECHR Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40370 International Political Economy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41860 Political Economy of Aid and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42330 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42620 Global Governance & International Organizations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42640 Crisis of the Liberal World Order Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42650 Comparative Political Representation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
SPOL41060 Public Administration & Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
DEV40040 Corruption, Governance & Dev Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
DEV42600 Global Affairs & Sust Futures Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
HRM40720 Work & Employment in the Global Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW42170 Behavioural Laws Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW42320 Equality & Diversity Law Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
LAW42340 Engaging EU Law & Governance Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40100 Development and Postcolonial Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41870 Political Economy of Institutions Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL41930 Psychology of Conflict in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42430 Conflict and Identity in International Relations Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42530 Politics of International Trade and Investment Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)30CR:
Option Modules: Select three modules here.
POL42560 AI and Large Language Models Spring  10

Joey Donald

This programme provided me with a multifaceted approach to the European Union, through academic lenses of law, politics and economics. With the focus from both a supranational perspective of the EU as well as national perspectives. Providing a holistic approach to EU and its position in the global system. The practical elements of the course allowed us to apply these learnings to real world experiences.

Ivana Jagar

This master’s was a great choice primarily due to its multidisciplinary design of modules, which offered in-depth and integrated understanding of contemporary issues of the EU. The programme provided an overview of the European economic integration on which the analytical approach to the EU politics and policies was further developed while, at the same time, the implications of these processes on EU law were explored. In my experience the underlying value of this course is in the dynamic academic environment that encourages students to use critical thinking - helping them to acquire knowledge and develop skills that can be applied in both a professional career and further academic studies.

MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law (W216) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law (W264) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 6710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

 

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

  • Non-EU citizens are ineligible for part-time study except for those holding a valid non-student residency visa.
  • UCD Global offers several graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students who have received an offer for a UCD graduate degree programme. For further details, please visit the International Scholarships.
  • SPIRe operates the  SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. 

For further information, please visit our comprehensive FAQ page.

  • 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. 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: No


Application Deadlines




  • Deadline for EU applicants: Monday, 7 September 2026 (The first day of the term)

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants: The end of August, 2026 

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants who require an entry visa in advance: 

    • In some countries, it takes a few months to process visa applications. We strongly advise that you apply well in advance, ideally as early as March. Please contact the Irish Embassy in your country or the UCD Global Regional offices for further information.

    • Non-EU citizens who have been living in Ireland or the EU must go through the EU Fee Assessment process before their applications can be assessed. This process takes a few weeks. 





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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W216
MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law
Master of Economic Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W264
MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law
Master of Economic Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W216
MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law
Master of Economic Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Opens 01 Oct 2026
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W264
MEconSc European Public Affairs & Law
Master of Economic Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsOpens 01 Oct 2026
* you can change options at the top of the page
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