- acquaint students with cutting edge development issues
- allow students to comment critically on development interventions
- develop oral presentation skills
- enhance group work skills
- enhance students' abilities to assess development practice on the ground
- equip students with the skills to work in the field of international development
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.
The MA in International Development is designed to provide you with an interdisciplinary understanding of the process of development by bringing together expertise in politics, economics, agriculture, political economy and other areas.
Students will examine challenges such as the reduction of inequality and exclusion, the expansion of economic and social choices, the progressive realisation of human rights, and the argument for sustainable development. Students will acquire a range of skills to enable them to work effectively in the development field.
A wide range of specialisations are available to enable you to select areas where you wish to develop your expertise.
The MA programme allows students to choose to complete a dissertation or apply for an internship.
- This programme aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in international development - either as a practictioner or as an academic/policy specialiist. Learning is designed to be participatory and a critical, but constructive, approach to interdisciplinary development issues (ecconomic, politival and other) is encouraged.
- Th School of Politics & International Relations is ranked in the top 100 QS World Rankings 2024
- Oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies
- World-renowned staff drawn from many countries.
About This Course
Graduates of the programme have found employment with the official Irish aid programme, in Irish and international non-governmental organisations such as Trocaire, Goal, Action Aid and Oxfam, and with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations as well as in journalism, education, local community development, and many other areas such as:
- Public administration
- Journalism
- Media
- Civil society organisations
- Voluntary sector
- Academic institutions
The UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) has established an internship programme for graduate students undertaking MA programmes in Politics, International Relations, International Political Economy, International Development, Peace and Conflict, MEconSc European Public Affairs and Law, MSc Human Rights and MSc Politics and Data Science. You can either opt for a Masters thesis, or an internship of at least 480 hours, typically undertaken from June to August.
See this page for more information
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 |
DEV40020 | Gender and Development | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL42330 | Research Design | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
POL40100 | Politics of Development | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: Students must pick either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module |
POL42300 | SPIRe Internship | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: Students must pick either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module |
POL42310 | Thesis | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
LAW40760 | NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40050 | Theories of International Relations | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40950 | Introduction to Statistics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40970 | Politics of European Governance | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41020 | Politics of Human Rights | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41510 | Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41980 | Peace & Conflict Studies | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL42040 | Gender & the Political System | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
HACT40010 | Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
HACT40020 | Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
LAW42290 | Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL30820 | Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40140 | Theories of Global Justice | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40160 | Comparative Public Policy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40370 | International Political Economy | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL40540 | Comparative European Politics | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41030 | Theory of Human Rights | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41640 | Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41720 | Gender, Peace, and Security | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL41910 | Political Violence | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL42050 | Quantitative Text Analysis | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL42060 | International Security | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)3 of: Option Modules |
POL42340 | Programming for Soc Scientists | 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:
Méabh Lonergan
My experience in the MA International Development was more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined. Each module was perfectly designed to maximise our learning, and the wide variety of electives offered allowed us to tailor our experience to the areas that most interested us. The faculty could not have been more encouraging and dedicated, and the small yet diverse class groups meant that networking and peer-to-peer learning was only natural. It seemed that every week there was another email with a new opportunity or invitation, and class trips and projects meant that one's learning always feels connected to the real world. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in development and politics.
MA International Development (W301) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA International Development (W302) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6580
nonEU fee per year - € 11300
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10350
nonEU fee per year - € 22600
MA International Development (W302) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 6580
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
Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law/international law etc.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA International Development:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W301 MA International Development Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W302 MA International Development 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