European Politics and Governance - MA

During this programme, you will:  

• Explore the complex interaction between public and private actors at different levels of government. 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the interdependencies between national and European levels of governments. 

• Acquire substantive knowledge, along with analytical and transferable skills to pursue a range of potential careers. 

• Gain advanced knowledge of EU institutions, policy-making processes, and governance frameworks. 

• Complete an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice, supported by expert supervision. 

Key information: 

• Complete full-time in one year 

• Delivered on campus 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters 

• Submit a dissertation at the end of the summer semester 

• Full-time students take 2 core modules and 1 elective in autumn; 2 core modules and 2 electives in spring 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

Core Modules: 

• Graduate Seminar in Institutions and Policies of the European Union (PO5017) develops an understanding of how the European Union is organised and formulates policies. 

• Graduate Research Methods (PO5005) explores alternative approaches to research in social sciences and provides a comprehensive understanding of key issues surrounding the logic of explanation and research design. 

Electives – Choose 1:  

• Public Administration Theory and Practice (PA6011) will explores key ideas and theoretical perspectives in Public Administration and relates them to debates and issues in the daily work of public administrators, often working within complex networks with other public, non-profit and private sector organisations. 

• Graduate Seminar in International Relations (PO5016) will examine some of the more significant theories, issues, and debates in the study of International Relations, such as those pertaining to the schools of thought known as realism, liberalism, feminism, and constructivism. 

• Graduate Seminar in Contemporary Political Theory (PO5015) will introduce students to the work of leading contemporary political theorists and to some prominent debates within recent political theory. 

• Graduate Seminar in Comparative Politics (PO5009) will introduce students to research themes and methods in the field of comparative politics. 

• Graduate Seminar in Development (PO5004) will introduce students to the concept of development and ideas about how it should be pursued. 

Spring Semester 

Core Modules: 

• Graduate Seminar in European Governance (PO5010) develops an understanding of the role of public administration in the multi-level system of European governance. 

• Research Methods (progressing dissertation) (MP6062) will introduce students to the principles of good research practice, including the primary theoretical perspectives involved, the range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies available, research design, information resources, completion of fieldwork, data analysis and the ethical considerations in conducting research. 

Electives – choose 2*: 

• Representative Democracy in Europe (PO5232) will examine the democratic process in European countries and the EU, focusing in particular on the linkages between the policy preferences of citizens and the public policies enacted by their representatives. 

• Collaborative Governance and Leadership (PA6032) this module is being developed as part of the revised MPA to ensure a core focus on themes of collaborative governance and leadership. 

• Comparative Climate Policy and Politics (PO5252) will engage with climate policy and politics, with a rapid expansion in the study of climate policies and politics in a comparative and cross-national perspective.  

• Graduate Seminar in International Co-operation and Conflict (PO5007) will develop students' understanding of the theories and methods used in the empirical study of International Relations. 

• Global Justice (PO5222) will examine contemporary and classic problems in global politics, from the perspective of political theory, focusing in particular on theories of global justice. 

• Graduate Seminar in Peacebuilding (PO5006) will explore the different conceptions of peace involved in international peacebuilding. 

• Graduate Seminar in Comparative Politics (PO5009) will introduce students to research themes and methods in the field of comparative politics. 

• Gender and Politics (PO6032) will introduce students to a variety of Feminist debates in the context of Global Politics. 

• International Political Economy (PO5008) will provide students with a critical overview of the study of International Political Economy (IPE). 

• Russian and Post-Soviet Politics (PO5112) discover why the Soviet Union collapsed and to look at the key dilemmas confronting its successor states. 

* Not all electives are offered every year. 

Summer Semester 

• Dissertation (PO5042) an independently conceived and executed piece of original research on a topic chosen by the student. 

Relevant course materials - such as books and journal articles - will be available digitally via the UL Glucksman Library’s online resources. 

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules 

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a social science or related discipline. 

• The university may shortlist and invite you to an interview.  

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.  

International students:  

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of Documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €7,995

Non- EU - €18,600

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Civil society and non-governmental organisations
• Media
• Think tanks
• Interest groups
• Local, national and European administrations
• Multinational companies 

Rebecca Zamponi, Graduate

I hadn’t studied European politics or policy at BA level, so I wanted a course that was suitable for someone who didn’t already have that educational background. After reading the description of the core modules I felt sure that the MA in European Politics and Governance would be well suited to my needs.

There were quite a few highlights, but I have to mention our trip to Brussels. The group, led by Dr Scott Fitzsimmons, really bonded during that trip. Receiving presentations from staff in the Irish permanent representation and different areas of the EU institutions heightened my desire to work in the EU bubble. It was further reassurance that I was pursuing a career that was genuinely interesting to me. 

Furthermore, I also enjoyed the opportunity to regularly watch PhDs in the Department of Politics and Public Administration and others at UL present their work. Afterwards there was a Q&A with the presenter, and it was intriguing to listen to the questions from professors and the defence by the speaker. I found it intellectually stimulating and hearing the commentary helped me improve my own work, so much so that in the second semester I came in on Wednesdays when I had no modules, just to attend those presentations.

Read more in Rebecca's Alumni Spotlight. 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions