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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.

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.