Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Geography

Program Overview

Program Description:

: Ireland’s place within the core of the European Union project, along with its active foreign policy, its status as an, in certain important respects, divided society and its widespread global cultural influence through diaspora make it an excellent place to study geopolitics. Additionally, a series of tectonic shifts in its economic base from agrarian to “post-tiger” are of great interest to those who study globalisation and the world economy. The MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy offers the opportunity for students to study in depth topics like: international relations; conflict; war and peace; local, regional and national development; the current economic crisis and globalisation. It draws upon the expertise of a group of experienced academic staff whose research interests include political economy and the current economic crisis, US foreign policy, political geographies of Europe and europeanization, interdisciplinary relations between political science and political geography, evolutionary and relational economic geography, the knowledge economy, development debates and sustainable livelihoods and geographies of southeast Asia. A collegial approach to learning, where students are encouraged to engage in discussions with and draw upon the knowledge base both of academic staff and their peers through formal mechanisms like regular seminars and through informal discussion, is a fundamental aspect of the School’s philosophy. UCD’s School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy is a dynamic, multi-faceted centre for geopolitical study with an increasingly international student profile. Something that might be of particular interest to applicants from the United States when considering whether to come to study Geopolitics and the Global Economy at University College Dublin, beyond the strong cultural ties between the countries, is the fact that there is the opportunity to take modules offered by the Clinton Institute for American Studies, as well to engage with staff that are research active in US geopolitics. The programme thus offers US students a potentially valuable global lens through which to examine their own country and culture. Interdisciplinary study is a key feature of the School’s Geographical postgraduate programmes. Students on the MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy have the opportunity to take modules offered by the Schools of Politics and International Relations, Sociology, Philosophy and American Studies on topics like the Northern Ireland question, ethnicity and Conflict, economic globalisation and social change, and sovereignty theory. The diversity of the curriculum is forged into an integrated, coherent whole by the programme’s thesis, where students are given the freedom to engage with a research topic of their own choice, under the supervision of an experienced academic with similar interests. The programmes are also designed to prepare students for a future career. Students who have completed Masters degrees within the school have gone on to employment in government bodies, international aid agencies, global multilateral agencies like the United Nations, the World Bank, UNICEF etc., human rights organisations, think tanks and research bodies as well as private economic institutions like Deloitte and Touche and ACC Bank. University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland’s largest university with over 24,000 students and is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide. Ireland’s most diverse university, UCD educates more than 5,000 international students from 122 countries each year. UCD attracts more postgraduate students in Ireland than any other university with 25 per cent of all postgraduate students in Ireland choosing UCD. International students can avail of an extensive range of on-campus accommodation with 24-hour security and state-of-the-art sports and campus facilities on UCD’s leafy campus located in South Dublin. As a safe, welcoming, English-speaking country in Europe, Ireland is the destination of choice for international students seeking to expand their life experience and advance their education overseas. Students are attracted to Ireland as much for its history and culture as for the friendliness of its people. Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, has earned a reputation as one of the best cities in Europe for international students. With a population of 1.5 million, this modern, lively European city serves as the ideal gateway for exploring Europe. Why UCD? Why UCD? Top Ranking, We’re ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide Global, Ireland’s largest and most global university with over 26,000 students Flexibility, Highly flexible and diverse curriculum Advising, Comprehensive academic advising & career counselling On-campus housing, Range of on-campus housing options Facilities, Cutting-edge sports and campus facilities Information about funding opportunities available on request.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

NFQ Level 9 (Major Award)

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

An undergraduate degree in any academic field, with a preference for fields of study related to Geopolitics or Economics A minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree at undergraduate level. As a guideline for US based students a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher would generally be competitive in any given year. A lower cumulative GPA may be considered depending on the quality of applications received, relevant professional experience etc.

International Requirements:

Students whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in an institution where the language of instruction is English would be required to submit a recent (no more than 2 years old) IELTS or TOEFL examination certificate. The minimum requirement is 6.5 overall with no less than 6 in any category for IELTS or 95 in the Internet based TOEFL examination. Other English language qualifications may be considered, please contact the School for details if you have a certification other than the two listed above.