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International War Studies

MA (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The Dual MA in International War Studies will be offered by University College Dublin and the University of Potsdam, where the only Chair of Military History in Germany is based. Students will spend one academic year in each institution. The MA will enable students to experience two different academic structures (in Germany and Ireland), taking advantage of the rich cultural offerings and research facilities in Dublin, Potsdam and nearby Berlin.

The programme will be fully taught in English, however students are encouraged to learn an additional language to strengthen their international profile. It will enable students to acquire a comprehensive and advanced knowledge of the main areas of the history of war in the twentieth century. All modules will be delivered by leading experts in the field, ensuring research led teaching throughout the course.

This programme enables students to:

  • Acquire a comprehensive and advanced knowledge of the main areas of the history of war in the twentieth century
  • Recognise and appreciate the many ways in which the history of war has been written and analysed.  Identify appropriate and authentic sources for the history of war
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of basic analytical techniques and theoretical issues in the field of war studies
  • Abstract and analyse information from a range of sources, including lectures, seminars, archival and library holdings, the internet and fieldwork, identifying those ideas or findings which are most significant for their research
  • Learn to self evaluate and take responsibility for continuing academic and or professional development
  • Experience two different academic cultures (in Germany and Ireland, taking advantage of the rich cultural offerings in Dublin, Potsdam and nearby Berlin

About This Course

The MA in International War Studies is a 120-credit programme. It has a modular structure based on year one at the University of Potsdam and year two at University College Dublin. Compulsory modules in year one will include: Introduction to International War Studies (9 credits), Military and Society in the Age of Total Wars, 1792-1945 (15 credits) and a module (6 credits) on academic writing or on literature and primary sources. Options in year one include Military and Society after 1945 (15 credits), International History since the Early 20th Century (15 credits), Civil-Military Relations in the Social Sciences (15 credits), Related Study Areas of Military History (15 credits), Violence, War and Memory in Contemporary History (15 credits), Conflict, Security and Armed Forces - Historical and Social Science Approaches (15 credits), Security Studies (15 credits).

 

Compulsory modules in year two will include: Modern History and Politics (10 credits), Political Violence in 20th Century Europe (10 credits), War Studies (10 credits). The programme will culminate in the writing of a dissertation worth 30 credits.

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 Options - *A) Min 2 of:
Students must take HIS42420 and HIS42430 in year 1.
 HIS42420 War Studies 1 (Potsdam) Autumn  30
Stage 1 Options - *A) Min 2 of:
Students must take HIS42420 and HIS42430 in year 1.
 HIS42430 War Studies 2 (Potsdam) Spring  30
Stage 1 Options - *A1)1 of:
Students must take HIS42560 in year 2.
 HIS42560 Dissertation (War Studies) Year-long (12 months)  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42390 Global Revolutions Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42850 NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42380 Research Collaboration Autumn and Spring (separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42480 War, Peace, and Globalisation Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42840 Modern Asia Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42950 How the West came to rule Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In year 2, students must take a minimum of two History option modules, but can take a third module from this option list, or can choose a module from the American, Sociology list of options.
 HIS42960 Themes in the History and Anthropology of Southeast Asia Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40030 Media and US Foreign Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40310 Challenges in US Foreign Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40580 News Media Today Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40590 Trump's America Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 SOC40720 Organised Violence and Society Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40130 Public Diplomacy and Soft Power Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40560 The Global Politics of Cyber Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40570 The U.S. and the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
In year 2, students may choose one of the following American Studies, Sociology modules if only two option modules have been chosen from the list of History options.
 AMST40650 Politics and Digital Storytelling Spring  10

International War Studies (Z258) Full Time
EU          Year 1 - € 4660
nonEU    Year 1 - € 11300
EU          Year 2 - € 4550 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 11300 aa

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change

The fees for this programme is split over two years. Fees are payable in both years to University College Dublin (UCD).

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

Fees are payable in installments.

 

Administrative fees are payable each semester in Year 1 to University of Potsdam.

Winter 24/25 fee is €322.40.

Summer 24/25 fee is pending. 

 

Applicants need an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.  Students will have a minimum qualification of 2.1 in a relevant subject or an equivalent UCD GPA of 3.08. 

For non-English speakers evidence of language proficiency is required, for example IELTS of 6.5 overall or equivalent in TOEFL with no band lower than 6.0.  Students who achieve an IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 will need to attend a pre-sessional language course.   Students will be selected by a joint board composed by senior academics from UCD and Potsdam.

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.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


Applicants need an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Students will have a minimum qualification of 2.1 in a relevant subject or an equivalent UCD GPA of 3.08.  For non-English speakers evidence of language proficiency is required, for example IELTS of 6.5 overall or equivalent in TOEFL with no band lower than 6.0. Students who achieve an IELTS of 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5 will need to attend a pre-sessional language course. Students will be selected by a joint board composed of senior academics from UCD and Potsdam.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to International War Studies:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z258
International War Studies
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt Z258
International War Studies
Master of Arts
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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