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MSc Global Solutions

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

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

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Global Solutions is a new and innovative MSc programme delivered by the UCD School of Sociology. It combines academic, activist, business and policy perspectives (the AABP model) to explore and study solutions to significant global problems, including climate change, global inequalities, conflicts and social transformations.

We develop and apply an innovative AABP model that explores the intersections of
A academic knowledge and research
A activism and social movements
B business and technological innovations
P social policy
to understand the design, operations and innovative potential of global solutions.

This programme is delivered by the UCD School of Sociology www.ucd.ie/sociology

Throughout the programme, we explore a range of current global problems, such as global inequalities, war and violence, climate change, and analyse relevant case studies applying innovative solutions. As a student, you will be encouraged to develop your own project and follow your particular interests as part of your Master’s dissertation.

About This Course

The MSc Global Solutions is designed in hope and optimism that we can make our world better together and devise novel global solutions that can contribute to addressing global problems. We are looking for students who want to be active participants in shaping their and our world and learn how to create global solutions that attempt to resolve our most pressing global problems

The MSc Global Solutions will give students a chance to achieve following learning outcomes in academic and professional skills:

  • To expand the knowledge and understanding of global challenges across four perspectives: academic, activist, business and policy
  • To apply knowledge and understanding to specific global challenges
  • To analyse academic, activist, business and policy aspects of global challenges
    separately and in interaction
  • To design the intervention for the global challenges that would incorporate
    academic, activist, business and policy separately and within an intersectional model
  • To evaluate specific global solutions from the academic, activist, business and policy
    perspectives
  • To demonstrate and further develop communication, writing, presentation and
    debating skills for diverse academic and non-academic audiences
  • To apply the range of research strategies and methodologies to collect relevant
    evidence on global social change and global solutions
  • To successfully carry out a substantial piece of research through an individually-
    supervised dissertation

 A wide range of organisations and social enterprises use the skills developed throughout the programme. Academic and analytical skills are required for work in the social research sector, including think tanks, market research and academic organisations. Focus on activism and business prepares you for working in the NGO sector and as a social entrepreneur. Policy perspective is essential for those wishing to pursue careers in the civil service, governmental organisations, and social policy. 

The MSc Global Solutions at UCD is ideal for graduates who wish to innovate and focus on solutions a part of their future career.

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
 SOC41160 Global Solutions and Applied Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SOC41200 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SOC41120 Human Development Challenges in the Global South Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SOC41170 R.A.G.E. - Remembrance, Activism, Genocide, Emotions Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SOC40140 Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SOC40720 Organised Violence and Society Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SPOL41110 Ideas, Ideology in Public Pol. Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SOC40620 Nationalism and Social Change Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SOC41130 AI and Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SOC41150 Queering Global Challenges Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select 10 credits in the Autumn and 10 credits in the Spring, The maximum credit allowed per one trimester is 30.
 SPOL41120 Sustainable Futures and Public Policy Spring  10

MSc Global Solutions (W536) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9100
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

***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.

Applicants should normally have a primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline.

A Student Grade Point Average (GPA) Equivalent 3.0 out of 4.0 is required (where the grading scale is 0.0 to 4.0) or the equivalent result where another grading scale is presented.

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but can confirm professional qualifications and/or
experience will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants may be called for an interview.

All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). 

Test results must be less than two years old and must meet the minimum UCD standards listed here: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/policiesandgeneralregulations/generalrequirements/minimumenglishlanguagerequirements/

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Global Solutions:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W536
MSc Global Solutions
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W536
MSc Global Solutions
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Opens 01 Oct 2024
* you can change options at the top of the page
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