Expand+Admission requirements
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have completed and earned high grades in a taught M.A. programme in the area of politics and international relations and articulate a research interest that fits with t...

Hide-Admission requirements
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have completed and earned high grades in a taught M.A. programme in the area of politics and international relations and articulate a research interest that fits with the expertise of SPIRe's academic staff. Prospective applicants should visit our website at www.ucd.ie/spire for a comprehensive listing of the School's research strengths and possible supervision areas.

Applications cannot be considered until we have received the following documentation;
- Thesis proposal (3-5 pages maximum)

- Copies of Academic Transcripts

- C.V. or Resume (2 pages maximum)

- 2 academic references (Actual letters required. If sending by email they should be on headed institutional paper)

- Evidence of English language competence, where non-native English speaking applicants have NOT obtained previous university degrees from an English-speaking university.

Expand+All students must designate a primary subject of specialization within politics and international relations and complete a seminar covering that subject's core scholarly literature.

These subjects are:
• comparative politics
• development studi...

Hide-All students must designate a primary subject of specialization within politics and international relations and complete a seminar covering that subject's core scholarly literature.

These subjects are:
• comparative politics
• development studies
• European integration and governance
• international relations
• political theory

Students will also take courses in research design, and qualitative and/or quantitative methods. In addition, students have the option of auditing additional postgraduate modules (in SPIRe, the College of Human Sciences, and in neighbouring institutions) in order to deepen their substantive knowledge and/or methodological skills.