- allow students participate in political debates informed by theory
- develop oral presentation skills
- develop students' capacities for critical reflection on issues of political theory
- enhance group work skills
- enhance students' research and writing skills
- familiarise students with key issues and schools of thought in political theory
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.
Sign up for webinars for offer holders and prospective students on Mon 28 April at 2pm and on Tue 29 April at 11am.
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.
As a crucial part of understanding our human condition, political theory has always been held to be a valuable activity. More recently, however, changes in contemporary societies have made such systematic thinking about politics indispensable to understanding and participating in the life of our own state and a newly global world.
- Political theory addresses the more immediate practical concerns of politics and policy that are of concern to governments, the media, civil society groups and individual citizens.
- Combines a rigorous approach to analysing these problems with an imaginative search for solutions.
About This Course
Graduates work with a wide variety of international private-sector employers, government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations in roles such as: academics, policy analysts, diplomats, lawyers, journalists.
Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in: UK Foreign Office, US State Department, Irish Civil Service, University College London, and University of Melbourne.
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 |
POL42330 | Research Design | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL36110 | Comparative Political Theory | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL40140 | Theories of Global Justice | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL41030 | Theory of Human Rights | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL42310 | Thesis | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
DEV40020 | Gender and Development | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
EDUC41520 | Children's Rights & Participation | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
EQUL40310 | Masculinities, Gender and Equality | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
PHIL41280 | Feminist & Gender Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
PHIL41510 | Ethics in Public Life | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40050 | Theories of International Relations | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40950 | Introduction to Statistics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40970 | Politics of European Governance | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41020 | Politics of Human Rights | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41510 | Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41980 | Peace & Conflict Studies | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42040 | Gender & the Political System | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42530 | Politics of International Trade and Investment | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42550 | Feminist Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
SPOL41110 | Ideas, Ideology in Public Pol. | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40100 | Politics of Development | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40160 | Comparative Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40370 | International Political Economy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL40540 | Comparative European Politics | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41640 | Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41720 | Gender, Peace, and Security | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL41910 | Political Violence | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42050 | Quantitative Text Analysis | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42340 | Programming for Soc Scientists | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42430 | IR Theory: Conflict and Identity | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)2 of: Option Modules |
POL42560 | AI and Large Language Models | 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:
Luke Ecock
I enrolled on the MA in Political Theory to learn more about how our political institutions worked, where they failed, and what could, and should, be done better. Political theory is a study of a potential tomorrow: what should our political institutions look like? Who should they serve? I wanted to study on a programme that would point me towards the critical tools that could answer these questions, help me discover new ones, and confront today’s political challenges head on, which was precisely what the MA in Political Theory offered.
One of the reasons I chose SPIRE’s programme was its open and accessible curriculum. I do not have an educational background in politics, but the variety of modules available and the encouragement of students of all backgrounds meant that the MA in Political Theory was a hotbed of innovative ideas and diverse thinkers from all over the world. With this open-ended curriculum, I was able to put together a roster of modules that was unique to me and my interests. This meant that while my Tuesdays could be concentrated on questions concerning what constituted a just transition to renewable energy, my Thursdays might be spent investigating the probable causes behind wealth inequality.
The MA in Political Theory challenged me to leave my comfort zone and to think of how we live together and organise ourselves in new and exciting ways. The programme recognises that there is no one set of answers to the questions we have about our political institutions. Fresh ideas are always welcome, and with as academically adventurous as this cohort of peers and mentors, they were never in short supply.
MA Political Theory (W277) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Political Theory (W278) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 11300
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA Political Theory (W278) Part Time
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
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
The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent, such as 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 Political Theory:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W277 MA Political Theory Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W278 MA Political Theory Master of Arts Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page