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Master of Public Policy

MPP (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Opportunity
Sustainable Development Goals

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 Public Policy
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 Public Policy
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

Public policy making has become more challenging in recent years in the context of the increasing complexity of clients’ needs, growing expectations regarding appropriate service quality and diminishing public spending in many countries. The Master of Public Policy is specifically designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to meet these challenges.

We examine the socio-economic changes and political issues which influence policy making, the challenges associated with effective regulation and administration of public services and ensuring that policy decisions are evidence based. If you are interested in public policy research you can take a number of specialist modules on this issue. We also provide a number of optional streams which will enable you to examine different policy fields in depth.

The Master of Public Policy is a 90-credit programme. The duration is one year full time or two years part time. A 60-credit version of the programme is available as a Graduate Diploma without thesis.

About This Course

  • Understand the political, ethical, social and economic factors that influence policymaking, along with the challenges associated with effective policy implementation and regulation
  • Take a critical view of policy analysis, recognizing the variety of considerations that shape policy outcomes and the variety of ideas, expectations, and norms that shape debates about appropriate policy solutions and the assessment of policy outcomes
  • Demonstrate advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge of public policy and governance
  • Develop an understanding of current debates within public policy and governance
  • Critically appraise and reflect on the role of the policy analyst within the democratic and policy-making process
  • Apply advanced theory to problem-solving and public policy challenges, drawing on a range of disciplinary approaches and analytical tools
  • Systematically analyse public policies comparatively in an international, national, and subnational context, to apply the latest in public policy research
  • Critically appraise and reflect on the role of the policy analyst within the democratic and policy-making process
  • Articulate concepts, knowledge, debates and research to peers, specialist and non-specialist audiences from an inter-disciplinary perspective, contributing to evidence-based policy-making
  • Exercise effective group and team-based approaches to learning, research, and presentation
  • Articulate concepts, knowledge, debates and research to peers, specialist and non-specialist audiences, from an interdisciplinary perspective
  • Contribute to evidence-based policy-making
  • Source and synthesize different kinds of data, textual and source material 
  • Engage in independent research and analysis
  • Write to a good academic standard

MPP graduates work in the public sector, across a variety of businesses, and in voluntary sector bodies. The positions they have gone on to, in Ireland and internationally, include policy analysts, policy advisors, communications and public affairs managers, policy officers, among many others.
A number of MPP graduates have joined the Irish public service, some through the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) stream. Among the organisations in which MPP graduates have gone on to work with are the Health Services Executive (HSE), the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Apple Ireland, Morgan McKinley, the Peter McVerry Trust, The Wheel.

The internship opportunity is available to students on the Master of Public Policy programme in lieu of writing a research thesis during the summer months. The module is designed to provide students with an opportunity to gain in-work experience relevant to their academic studies; to apply their academic knowledge and insights; and to begin to build their career profile.



The module runs in Trimester 3 (Summer) but has meetings in earlier trimesters.



Contact the module co-ordinator, Dr Orla Kelly, for more information: orla.kelly1@ucd.ie


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
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SPOL41060 Public Administration & Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - 3)1 of:
Select one of the following:
 SPOL41040 MPP Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - 3)1 of:
Select one of the following:
 SPOL41050 MPP Internship Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 ECON41840 Microeconomics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 ECON42550 Macroeconomics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 ECON42660 Behavioural Economics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 LAW41040 Law and Governance of the EU Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 POL40370 International Political Economy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 SPOL41200 Evaluation for Public Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 ECON42190 Health and Welfare Economics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 ECON42650 Experiments in Economics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 EQUL40390 Critical Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Economic and Regulatory Policy: Students should select 20 credits of modules from their specialist stream and 10 credits of options from the methods options. Students wishing to take an ECON coded module need to consult the module coordinator before registering unless they have an Economics background or similar at undergraduate level.
 LAW41150 Online Regulation Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 ENVP40180 European Environmental Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 GEOG40450 Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 GEOG40860 Practical Environmental Assessment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 LAW40120 Foundations of Environmental Law Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 SPOL41120 Sustainable Futures and Public Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 ARCT41240 Urban Resilience and Ethics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 ECON42360 Energy Economics and Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 ENVP40040 Sustainability Lab Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Sustainability and Environment: Students on the Sustainability and Environmental Policy stream should select 20 credits of option modules from this list and 10 credits from the methods option list below
 LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 EDUC41500 Critical Policy Analysis Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 ENVP40180 European Environmental Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 GEOG40450 Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 LAW41040 Law and Governance of the EU Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 POL40370 International Political Economy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 EDUC44260 Europe in focus: EU institutions, cultural foundations, and values Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
European and Global Policy: Students on this track should select 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of modules from the methods options
 SPOL41210 Dynamics of Policymaking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SPOL41120 Sustainable Futures and Public Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SPOL41130 Drugs & Drug Policy Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 GS40030 Gender, Inequality and Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 PHPS40040 Public Health Practice and Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SOC40620 Nationalism and Social Change Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SOC41130 AI and Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SPOL40440 Housing and Social Cohesion Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:
Society and Public Policy: Students on this stream should take 20 credits of option modules from the list below and 10 credits of option modules from the methods options.
 SPOL41210 Dynamics of Policymaking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 COMP40610 Information Visualisation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 EDUC41500 Critical Policy Analysis Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 GEOG40820 GIS Principles and Applications Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 SOC41200 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 SPOL41200 Evaluation for Public Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 SOC40330 Workshop in Qualitative Research Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - E)10CR:
All students should select 10 credits from this list of option modules, regardless of specialist track
 STAT40150 Multivariate Analysis Spring  5

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 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. 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:

 

SDG1 SDG3 SDG5 SDG6 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 SDG 11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 15 SDG 16 SDG 17

Charlotte Olhausen- Graduate of Master of Public Policy
(30% Club Scholarship Awardee 2018)

The Master of Public Policy programme has given me great training and career preparation. It offers students foundational
knowledge of public policy as well as the chance to specialise in their chosen area of policy. I specialised in environmental policy:
climate justice is a true passion of mine, but more importantly, it is one of the biggest challenges our world faces. My studies have
deepened my skills and capacities, and as a result I am well placed to take the next steps in my career development.
The 30% Club Scholarship has given me a great platform from which to move onto the career path I wish to follow. I feel very
encouraged as a woman to aim that much higher, with a view to eventually securing a leadership role in the policy sectors I’m most
interested in.

Master of Public Policy (W279) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9515
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

Master of Public Policy (W289) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned a honours bachelors degree (NFQ Level 8)  from a recognised university in a relevant social science subject such as Political Science, International Relations, Social Policy, Sociology, Geography, Economics, Global Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, EU Studies, Law/International Law, Accounting & Finance, Business 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. 


Note that meeting the requirements do not guarantee admission. Applicants in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted conditional on satisfactory completion of their undergraduate degree.

N.B. Click here  for the admission requirements for the Economics Policy Stream.

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


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Master of Public Policy:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W279
Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W289
Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W279
Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy

Full-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Opens 01 Oct 2026
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W289
Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Policy

Part-Time
Commencing September 2027
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsOpens 01 Oct 2026
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