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Graduate Certificate Public Policy

GradCert (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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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 Graduate Certificate in Public Policy FT is designed to provide you with a core of modules to introduce general concepts 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. 

After successful graduation, the GradCert provides the option for specialisation in certain public policy areas and further studies towards the Master of Pulic Policy.

About This Course

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
 SPOL41110 Ideas, Ideology in Public Pol. Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring  10

Graduate Certificate Public Policy (W469) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 4970
nonEU    fee per year - € 10050

***Fees are subject to change

Entry requirements will be identical to those obtaining for the current Public Policy programme intake (fulltime and part- time):

The academic minimum standard for admission to a Masters programme is an Upper Second Class degree or its equivalent. Relevant professional experience and motivation will be considered where the first degree was taken in a field with little or no relevance to the social sciences, or where the first degree was taken a long time ago (eg more than ten years prior to application).

Relevant professional experience and motivation may also be taken into account in the case of students who have not attained the minimum academic standards: in this case, they may be offered a place on the Graduate Diploma programme, with the possibility of transferring to the MP, subject to academic performance and grades attained.

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: No


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

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W469
Graduate Certificate Public Policy
Graduate Certificate

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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