Expand+Applicants should normally have a primary degree in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline. A Second Class Honours Grade One (2H1) or higher is required but Second Class Honours Grade Two (2H2) standard or equivalent may be cons...

Hide-Applicants should normally have a primary degree in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline. A Second Class Honours Grade One (2H1) or higher is required but Second Class Honours Grade Two (2H2) standard or equivalent may be considered. Applicants with a Joint Honours primary degree should normally have attained a standard of at least Second Class Honours Grade Two (2H2) in their final degree.

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but can confirm professional qualifications and/or experience will be considered. Applicants may be called for an interview.

All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). Test results must be less than two years old.

A Note On Supporting Documentation:
Supporting documentation must be submitted by all students. Applications will not be considered unless all documents are submitted immediately and received by UCD before the closing date. Documents must be uploaded to the Online Applications system.

Expand+This course is suitable for graduates with a primary degree in Sociology or Social Science or a closely related discipline (such as psychology, philosophy, human geography, history, politics, or economics) who want to develop their social analysis sk...

Hide-This course is suitable for graduates with a primary degree in Sociology or Social Science or a closely related discipline (such as psychology, philosophy, human geography, history, politics, or economics) who want to develop their social analysis skills. Led by Ireland's leading sociologists, you will develop a range of conceptual, analytical and methodological skills that will enable you to identify, describe and analyse a wide range of social events and behaviours. The course is available as a one-year full time or a two-year part time programme.

Expand+MSocSc Cultural Sociology

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
Students on the MSocSc Cultural Sociology programme will develop a range of conceptual, analytical and methodological skills that will enable them to identify, describe and analy...

Hide-MSocSc Cultural Sociology

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
Students on the MSocSc Cultural Sociology programme will develop a range of conceptual, analytical and methodological skills that will enable them to identify, describe and analyse social structures and cultural patterns, including the cultural manifestations of an array of events and behaviours. 

Students on the programme will develop a number of important skills including the ability to think creatively, undertake independent research and demonstrate analytical and interpretative skills.

Students will also learn how to apply sociological perspectives and arguments to a number of empirical investigations and cases, and learn how to think, write and perform in an imaginative, creative manner.

The masters degree in cultural sociology is highly regarded by prospective employers and will gives students a competitive advantage and edge in any modern job market.

Who should apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This Programme is suitable for graduates with a primary degree in Sociology or Social Science or a closely related discipline, such as psychology, philosophy, human geography, history, politics, and economics, who want to develop and sharpen their analytical and interpretative skills. It is designed for national and international students, both recent graduates as well as people who want to take time out from employment or who wish to study on a part-time basis.

Course Description
Cultural sociology is about deciphering the meanings of social life. In contrast to competing programs and degrees (like cultural studies, for example) it doesn’t treat culture as a separate sphere or realm but as something that runs through every aspect of society. Cultural sociology looks at the ‘grammar’, rhetoric and symbolic representations that structure our social life and that manifest themselves in a variety of forms, including institutional practices.

Cultural analysis and interpretative skills play a central role in a number of modern professions in Ireland and internationally. Our strong programme in cultural sociology brings together the multi-varied research expertise of sociologists in the School and in related fields. Having worked in different language environments and countries, members of the School lead by example when it comes to international experience and exposure. Indeed, internationality and inclusiveness are our prime objectives and we welcome students with an international background.

Expand+Stage 1 - Core

Dissertation SOC40140
Cultural Theories & Applications SOC40730
Art, Knowledge & Social Change SOC40790
Everyday Nationhood in Comparative Perspective SOC40800

Stage 1 - Option

Theorising Irish Cultures ENG41620
Media Theo...

Hide-Stage 1 - Core

Dissertation SOC40140
Cultural Theories & Applications SOC40730
Art, Knowledge & Social Change SOC40790
Everyday Nationhood in Comparative Perspective SOC40800

Stage 1 - Option

Theorising Irish Cultures ENG41620
Media Theory and Culture FS40040
Introduction to Cultural Theory SLL40230
Policing & Social Conflict SOC40080
Advanced Workshop on the Analysis of Qualitative Research and on Evaluation SOC40130
Sociological Research: theoretical and applied issues SOC40220

Economic Globalisation and Social Change SOC40230
Health, Illness and Society SOC40310
Workshop in Qualitative Research SOC40330
Race, Space and Place SOC40610
Ethnicity and Nationalism SOC40620
Social Simulation: Methods and Models SOC40640
Social Economic & Political... SOC40650
Global Migration SOC40670
Organised Violence and Society SOC40720
Dynamic Social Networks SOC40760
Analytical Sociology & Applications SOC40770
Computational Sociology & Complex Data Applications SOC40780
Quantitative Data Analytics & Applications SOC40830

Expand+The UCD School of Sociology Masters programmes are highly regarded by a range of public and private sector employers, national, EU and international institutions and civil society organisations.

The cross-disciplinary content of these programme me...

Hide-The UCD School of Sociology Masters programmes are highly regarded by a range of public and private sector employers, national, EU and international institutions and civil society organisations.

The cross-disciplinary content of these programme means there are exciting opportunities for students in a wide and dynamic range of professions including careers in: Media and Public Relations; Policy Analysis and Service Provision; Social, Community and Youth Development; Politics and Civil Society; and in Cultural and Creative Industries.

Past Graduates have taken the following career and development destinations:
Radio Presenter, Dublin
English Language Teacher, Japan
Senior Officer, Public Sector, Dublin
University Lecturers, Dublin, Belfast, United States
Community Workers, Belfast, Dublin
Writer & Editor, Humanitarian Organisation, Wicklow
International Writer, Producer and Film Maker, Dublin
Research Analyst, ESRI, Dublin
Researcher, Royal College of Surgeons
Founder, Independent Community-Based Research Company, Ireland

A large number of our Graduates continue through to PhD level. Some professions require further training, qualifications or certification