In-person

The Master of Public Policy is a 90-credit programme. When starting the course, students will choose one of eight streams. Students must take four core modules (10 credits each), one dissertation design module (5 credits/half term), and 2-4 option modules (20 credits in total). Students also submit a thesis worth 25 credits that will be written during the summer term.

Optional specialist streams which enable you to examine the policy fields which interest you in-depth include the Community Drugs and Health Policy Stream.

You will develop an understanding of the political, ethical, social and economic factors which influence policy-making along with the challenges associated with effective policy implementation and regulation. You will also learn to systematically analyse public policies, and acquire skills in policy research and evaluation. In addition, you will have the opportunity to examine a number of policy fields in depth.

This programme is suitable for graduates who plan to pursue a career in the public or non-profit sectors, policy analysis or consulting and for those already working in these sectors, who want to develop their policy analysis, research and evaluation skills.

Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, EU studies, law/international law etc. with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent (an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system). Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
Note that meet the requirements do not guarantee admission. Applicants in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted conditional on satisfactory completion of their undergraduate degree.

Visit the course website https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=PROG&MAJR=W279

There is a possiblity of progressing to the PhD in Public Policy or the Graduate Diploma in Public Policy.