The MSc (Government and Politics) is a full-time programme running for 12 months or a part-time programme running for 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme. The taught element of the programme runs from early September to the end of March.

In Part 1 students take modules to the value of 60 credits and in Part 2 either write a research dissertation of 15-20,000 words or complete a work-based dissertation in government and politics to the value of 30 credits.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part 1 (60 credits) consists of:

Core Modules (40 credits)
ES6014 European Democracy, Citizenship, Memory and Identity (5 credits)
GV6118 Political Science Research Methods (10 credits)
GV6121 Comparative Political Institutions (5 credits)
GV6126 Politics and Policies of the European Union (5 credits)
GV6127 Politics and Gender (5 credits)
GV6128 Re-imagining Democratic Politics in a Changing World (5 credits)
PH6055 Core Themes in Political Philosophy (5 credits)

Elective modules (20 credits)
Students cannot apply for exemptions from modules they have already taken and must instead register for other modules. Students select 20 credits from the following:

Philosophy
PH6012 Human Rights 1 (10 credits)
PH6047 Philosophy and Health (10 credits)
PH6053 Professional Ethics: Advanced (10 credits)
PH6054 Measuring Society: Growth, Poverty, Inequality, and Human Capital (10 credits)

History
HI6026 US Foreign Policy and Contemporary History (10 credits)
HI6045 War and Peace: the European State System from 1648 to 1990 (10 credits)
HI6060 The Politics of Terrorism (10 credits)

Government and Politics
GV6010 Contemporary Global Politics (5 credits)
GV6012 Global Economic Policies and Institutions (5 credits)
GV6115 European Security (10 credits) 
GV6124 Political Participation and Mobilisation (5 credits)

Part 2 (30 credits) consists of:

EITHER 
GV6123 Work Based Dissertation in Government and Politics (30 credits)
OR 
GV6106 Dissertation in Government and Politics (30 credits)

From early April to the end of August, students will either complete a work-based dissertation in government and politics (GV6123) or write a research dissertation (GV6106) to the value of 30 credits. Students who do not undertake the research project must complete the dissertation. The work-based dissertation or research dissertation must be submitted at the end of September.

Note: Students studying for the degree full-time take all modules in one year. 

Students studying for the degree part-time take all the core modules GV6128, GV6126, GV6127, ES6014, GV6118, GV6121 and PH6055 (40 credits in total) in Year 1 and the remaining credits from the list of elective modules, as well as GV6106 or GV6123 (30 credits) in Year 2. 

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2021/2022 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2021/2022.

Postgraduate Diploma in Government and Politics exit award (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students passing only the taught modules in Part 1 (60 credits), or choosing not to complete the research dissertation and/or work placement may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Government and Politics.

Programme Learning Outcomes for the MSc in Government and Politics (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme,

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the multi-dimensional nature of government and politics.
• Apply concepts, theories and research methods from the academic discipline of politics in order to critically analyse real-world political dynamics, issues and problems.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the academic discipline of politics and its various sub-disciplines.
• Identify, use, evaluate and interpret the range of sources and data available for political analysis.
• Independently design and undertake research projects relevant to politics and political analysis.
• Communicate effectively on subject-specific topics in the written and oral form, including with the wider academic community and with society at large.
  and either
  • Demonstrate experience of having worked in a political environment;

  or

  • Demonstrate the ability to undertake sustained independent political research.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Government and Politics (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the multi-dimensional nature of government and politics
• Apply concepts, theories and research methods from the academic discipline of politics in order to critically analyse real-world political dynamics, issues and problems.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the academic discipline of politics and its various sub-disciplines.
• Identify, use, evaluate and interpret the range of sources and data available for political analysis.
• Independently design and undertake research projects relevant to politics and political analysis.
• Communicate effectively on subject-specific topics in the written and oral form, including with the wider academic community and with society at large.