Course Information
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8) or BA (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Undergraduate Full Time
CAO Code: DN700 BSc Social Sciences
CAO Points Range 2020: 418
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 500
CAO Code: DN530 BA Humanities
CAO Points Range 2020: 310
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 220
DN700 – O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics and three other recognised subjects
DN530 – English, Irish, a third Language, Three other recognised subjects
Why is this course for me?
Do you want to understand how governments, parliaments, parties and elections work? Are you concerned about conflicts, human rights, global poverty, war and political violence? Do you want to learn how to formulate a coherent and persuasive argument?
With a degree in Politics & International Relations, you will develop the ability to analyse the complex interplay between national and international political institutions, systems and forces.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
There is a wide range of national and international employment opportunities in the public and private sector, including:
- The Irish civil service
- The European Commission
- International agencies such as the UN, IMF and World Bank
- NGOs
- Print and broadcast media
- The diplomatic service
- Business
- Administration and research.
MA and MSc degrees in UCD open to graduates include:
- Politics
- Political Theory
- International Relations
- International Development
- Peace & Conflict
- Human Rights
- European Public Affairs & Law
- International Political Economy
- Public Policy
- Gender & Politics.
What Will I Study
In first year, you will be introduced to the core areas of politics, giving you a solid foundation for future study. In subsequent years, you will pursue the areas of politics and international relations that interest you most. Examples of modules include:
First Year
- Foundations of Political Theory and International Relations
- Foundations of Contemporary Politics
- Foundations in Political Research
- Foundations in Global Development
- All first year social sciences students also study the core module, Societal Challenges in the Twenty First Century
- Plus another subject
- Plus an Elective module.
Second Year
- Individuals and the State
- Law, Politics & Human Rights
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Research Methods in Political Science
- European Union
- Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules.
Third Year & Fourth Year
- International Political Economy
- International Justice
- EU in the World
- Middle East Politics
- New Democracy
- Data Analytics for the Social Sciences
- Parties & Party Competition
- Introduction to Asian Politics
- Justice in Education
- Gender & Politics
- Plus another subject
- Plus Elective modules.
Students can apply to study a single subject Politics & International Relations degree at the end of second year.
Assessment
Students attend lectures and tutorials as well as undertaking independent study. Assessment is in the form of a combination of continuous assessment and end-of trimester written exams.
How Will I Study
| Study Politics & International Relations (BSc Social Sciences) |
|---|
as a Joint Major with one of the subjects below:
OR - with one Minor subject:
OR - within a pathway:
| Study Politics (BA Humanities) |
|---|
as a Joint Major with:
International Study Opportunities
Study abroad opportunities include:
- Sciences Po, France
- University of Bergen, Norway
- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
- University of Lund, Sweden
- Universitat zu Koln, Germany
- Utrecht University, Netherlands
- Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Italy
- George Washington University, the United States
- University of Tokyo
- University of Hong Kong
Students studying Politics with Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish will study abroad for their third year.
Testimonial
“My drive to learn more about politics has been like building blocks creating a skyscraper towards my passion giving me a glimpse into the future I want. This has been achieved by studying in the School of Politics & International Relations. With the variety of topics in politics to pursue I have been given an insight into National and EU Politics, International Relations, Sustainable Development Goals, International Political Economy and Political Theory. As auditor of the Politics and International Relations society in UCD, it is a pleasure to grow my knowledge of the realities of the world surrounding us through politics in a variety of events that we as a society create to give students a new, non-partisan perspective of Politics and International Relations.”
Stephen Crosby – Politics Student
