There is one core module entitled: 'Ethics in Public Life' (PHIL41510). In addition students must select three modules from a list of Philosophy Ethics modules , as well as one other MA Philosophy module and two modules from a list of modules provided by other disciplines.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The MA Ethics,Theory and Practice is offered by UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life (CEPL) in association with UCD School of Philosophy providing philosophical training in Ethics, as well as enabling students to experience a context for professional Ethics through inter-disciplinary elements of the programme. Ethics is understood broadly as the study of how to act well, and includes elements of moral philosophy and political/social theory.
Graduates of this programme will be well-placed to understand and help deal with ethical issues in areas such as government, healthcare, business, agriculture, planning, education, law and journalism. Graduates will also have had the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of the nature of Ethics and its place in human life more generally. Having an understanding of Ethics, both at the level of theory and in its practical contexts is of obvious benefit in a very wide variety of career paths.
About This Course
Graduates of our Philosophy Masters programmes have gone on to pursue successful careers in journalism, the civil service, industry, teaching, AI and technology, politics and consultancy. The MA in Ethics: Theory and Practice may be particularly suited for people wanting to work in regulation agencies and NGOs as well as areas of business and public service that have an ethical component.
Graduates should be well placed to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training in Ethics themselves. Ethical practice, good ethical judgement and responsibility is a highly significant aspect of all workplaces and in public life more generally.
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 |
PHIL41510 | Ethics in Public Life | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHIL40030 | Dissertation | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41240 | John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41280 | Feminist & Gender Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41810 | Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41840 | Invention of the Modern Self | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41890 | Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL40420 | The Good Society | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL40970 | Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)3 of: Students should choose three of the modules listed in below. |
PHIL41320 | Topics in Continental Philos | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
EDUC41520 | Children's Rights & Participation | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
GEOG40970 | Critical Geographies: Spatialising Power and Inequalities | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
MKT30150 | Responsible Marketing | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
PSY40270 | Ethics in Psychological Research | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
EQUL40070 | Human Rights Law and Equality | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
IS41020 | Information Ethics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Students should choose 10 credits from the list below. |
POL41030 | Theory of Human Rights | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL41280 | Feminist & Gender Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL41890 | Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL40250 | Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL40410 | Philosophy & Literature | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL40960 | The Cultural Mind | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL40970 | Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL41320 | Topics in Continental Philos | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C)1 of: Students should choose one of the modules listed below. |
PHIL41880 | Reading Nietzsche | Spring | 10 |
Assistant Professor Danielle Petherbridge
Director, UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life
We are all likely to face ethical situations in everyday life, at work, and in the various institutions in which we participate. The ethical decisions we make may have an impact that goes beyond our immediate environment, affecting individuals, local communities, society and the environment. Even small decisions may have a significant impact. Being able to act and make decisions in an ethical manner is important from the perspective of personal integrity, but it is also of enormous value to the success and good governance of the organisations for which we work or institutions in which we participate.
In this MA program we explore ethical challenges that arise in a range of situations, professional environments and institutions. You will be introduced to key notions and views in ethics, as well the basis of good decision-making practices, problem-solving and ethical forms of reasoning. You will also develop an understanding of how ethical frameworks are applied in practical contexts.
This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Philosophy, or in another degree that has significant philosophical components; an upper second class honours, or international equivalent is required.
- To qualify for a place on the MA in Ethics :Theory and Practice, students must hold a primary degree with at least a 2.1 (or international equivalent ), involving a significant amount of philosophy.
- Candidates with an upper second class honours in a postgraduate conversion course such as a Higher Diploma in Philosophy may be considered. MA students may be required to attend an interview either via Zoom or in person.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), orequivalent. University English language requirements apply for students whose first language is not English
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
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Ethics: Theory and Practice:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W398 MA Ethics: Theory and Practice Master of Arts Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W399 MA Ethics: Theory and Practice 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