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5 reasons to study at the School Of Politics and International Relations
5 reasons to study at the School Of Politics and International Relations
5 reasons to study at the School Of Politics and International Relations
There are many reasons why you should choose the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe) at University College Dublin. Ranking in the Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Politics, the school boasts a number of renowned research centres, such as the Centre for Peace and Conflict Research, the Connected_Politics Lab, the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies, and the Dublin European Institute. The school offers a wide range of master’s degrees in political science, international relations, and development studies.
The MSc and MA distinction allows you to choose between a more research- or practice-oriented programme. The former focuses on qualitative and quantitative research methods and includes a thesis as a core component. The latter allows you to set a foot in the professional world by swapping the thesis for an internship and allows for a wider range of optional modules.
Among a range of programmes covering EU politics, European integration, and European political economy, the school offers a unique collaborative programme with the MSc European Governance, a two-year programme in collaboration with the UCD School of Law and Utrecht University.
Exciting and professionally-valuable programmes
MSc Politics and Data Science
This experiential programme brings together social sciences and technical skills in programming, data science, and text analysis. In your second semester, you will join a unique group project. Past projects have led to academic publications or presentations at international academic conferences.
MA/MSc Gender, Politics and International Relations
This new programme and the MA/MSc Peace and Conflict degree are loosely connected with the school’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Research. In this MA/MSc you will examine the ways in which gender is implicated in the structure, practice, and theorising of politics, both at domestic and international levels.
MA/ MSc Peace and Conflict
This degree shows you how to analyse patterns of conflict and settlements based on comparative political science and political psychology. Building on the Irish experience with civil conflict, but also the school’s expertise in Middle East and Latin American politics, the focus will be on internal violent conflicts, past and present, domestically and international.
At SPIRe, you have a wide array of degrees to choose from which are academically challenging and fulfilling. Whether you prefer normative or philosophical programmes, applied politics or even more developmental and political economy-related programmes, there is something for everyone.
“I think doing a master’s in UCD has only added to my love for doing academic work, and particularly with the Middle East,” says Conor Cronin, MA Middle East Politics student. “I’m coming out of it wanting to do more.”
Excelling with breadth and depth
Internships and job opportunities await
As Ireland has a two-year post-graduation work visa, valuable work experience gained during and after your programme will help you get your foot in the door for further opportunities.
Internships give non-EU students an insight into the Irish working environment and allow them to network for future roles. When your visa expires, you can apply for a longer-term working visa with the sponsorship of your employer.
A leader and role model in diversity for all
UCD prides itself on being a leader and role model in diversity, allowing underrepresented groups to thrive. It has received a second Athena SWAN Bronze institutional award in recognition of the university’s work towards gender equality. This diversity is clearly visible in the international make up of the student population in the school. Studying at SPIRe means interacting with and learning from classmates from all over the world.
The university’s intensive diversity measures extend to its programmes and research opportunities. Tobias Theiler, a faculty member, encourages students to choose from their range of modules to tailor their programmes based on their needs and interests.
“It’s really students from a wide range of disciplines: history, economics, sociology, many other parts of the social sciences who are essentially interested in learning how the world works,” he says.
“Many students come from abroad; some of them are interested in security studies, others are interested in economic development, peace and war, climate change and human rights, so it’s a very diverse set of topics and students.”
Students enjoy a fulfilling campus life in Dublin
At UCD, life is not just all about classrooms and studying. Sports, society, and social life are at the centre of campus life here at UCD. With over 60 official sports clubs and 100 active student societies, you will have no shortage of activities to enjoy during your stay here.
The university has the most diverse student facility in Ireland, including a state-of-the-art 3D cinema, a 600-seat auditorium, and even a range of amenities catering for students of all fitness levels, from casual gym users to Olympic athletes.
The beautiful campus is also known for its parkland setting, having over eight kilometres of woodland paths with a series of walkways for students and faculty to enjoy.
The university is number one in Ireland for the highest volume of research publications per year and has won 722 million euros (approximately US$777.36 at the time of writing) in externally funded research in the last five years.
University President Prof. Orla Feely believes that the university will build on its success to date to produce excellent and impactful research and innovation — the kind that makes a real difference in areas of national and global need.
Great research opportunities
“The expertise of our researchers, from outstanding individual scholars to leaders in large multistakeholder teams, illuminates the education we deliver, builds the university’s reputation and supports a vibrant society and economy,” she says.
Excelling with breadth and depth
At SPIRe, you have a wide array of degrees to choose from which are academically challenging and fulfilling. Whether you prefer normative or philosophical programmes, applied politics or even more developmental and political economy-related programmes, there is something for everyone.
“I think doing a master’s in UCD has only added to my love for doing academic work, and particularly with the Middle East,” says Conor Cronin, MA Middle East Politics student. “I’m coming out of it wanting to do more.”
As Ireland has a two-year post-graduation work visa, valuable work experience gained during and after your programme will help you get your foot in the door for further opportunities.
Internships give non-EU students an insight into the Irish working environment and allow them to network for future roles. When your visa expires, you can apply for a longer-term working visa with the sponsorship of your employer.
Internships and job opportunities await
A leader and role model in diversity for all
UCD prides itself on being a leader and role model in diversity, allowing underrepresented groups to thrive. It has received a second Athena SWAN Bronze institutional award in recognition of the university’s work towards gender equality. Regardless of age, gender, race or background, each student and faculty member is treated equally and given equal opportunities to thrive.
The university’s intensive diversity measures extend to its programmes and research opportunities. Tobias Theiler, a faculty member, encourages students to choose from their range of modules to tailor their programmes based on their needs and interests.
“It’s really students from a wide range of disciplines: history, economics, sociology, many other parts of the social sciences who are essentially interested in learning how the world works,” he says.
“Many students come from abroad; some of them are interested in security studies, others are interested in economic development, peace and war, climate change and human rights, so it’s a very diverse set of topics and students.”
Students enjoy a fulfilling campus life in Dublin
At UCD, life is not just all about classrooms and studying. Sports, society, and social life are at the centre of campus life here at UCD. With over 60 official sports clubs and 100 active student societies, you will have no shortage of activities to enjoy during your stay here.
The university has the most diverse student facility in Ireland, including a state-of-the-art 3D cinema, a 600-seat auditorium, and even a range of amenities catering for students of all fitness levels, from casual gym users to Olympic athletes.
The beautiful campus is also known for its parkland setting, having over eight kilometres of woodland paths with a series of walkways for students and faculty to enjoy.
Great research opportunities
The university is number one in Ireland for the highest volume of research publications per year and has won 722 million euros (approximately US$777.36 at the time of writing) in externally funded research in the last five years.
Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Orla Feely believes that the university will build on its success to date to produce excellent and impactful research and innovation — the kind that makes a real difference in areas of national and global need.
“The expertise of our researchers, from outstanding individual scholars to leaders in large multistakeholder teams, illuminates the education we deliver, builds the university’s reputation and supports a vibrant society and economy,” she says.
“Being a woman in political science isn’t always easy. It’s been a lot easier since coming to Dublin. But being able to be a representative for women studying political science and seeing a female professor in front of the room — that’s what I would love to do.”
Isabelle Handy,
MA Political Theory
“Roddy Doyle gave a speech that described it really well. He said Dublin’s a ‘sound’ and I think that’s a great way of putting it. Dublin’s just a very unique place with very unique people. There are lots of colourful characters.”
Oluwanifemi ‘Niffy’ Olamiju,
MSc/MA International Relations
“Coming to UCD and doing this Politics and Data Science Master’s programme, what’s been really cool about it has been it’s given me new ways to understand how I think about things. It’s given me new tools to bolster the way I think about things or sometimes to change the way I think about things as well.”
Jonathan Chew,
MSc Politics and Data Science
Hear from the students
An enriching education awaits at the University College Dublin.