Gender Politics & International Relations

MSc Gender, Politics & International Relations

UCD School of Politics & International Relations is the oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies and a world-renowned faculty drawn from many countries.



The MSc in Gender, Politics and International Relations is an intensive course that prepares you for a career in research, policy, or advocacy in international organisations, governmental and non-governmental bodies, or academia.



Gender is a fundamental aspect of both the international and domestic political systems. This programme facilitates students to become specialists in understanding how gender shapes both individual and group interactions with politics on the national and global level.



The programme focuses on combining in-depth sub-disciplinary knowledge with advanced methodological skills, across both established and emerging methods.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn 10

POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn 10

POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring 10

POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:

Students complete POL42310 Thesis as a core module

POL42310 Thesis Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - B)20CR:

Choose 20 credits

DEV40010 One Planet, One Ocean (SDG 14) Autumn 5

DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn 10

ENVB30130 Ecology & its Application (On-line) Autumn 5

EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn 10

GS40110 Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging Autumn 10

POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn 10

POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn 10

POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn 10

POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn 10

POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn 10

POL42530 Politics of International Trade and Investment Autumn 10

POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation Autumn 5

POL42550 Feminist Theory Autumn 10

POL42570 Connected_Politics 1 Autumn 5

GS40030 Gender, Inequality and Public Policy Spring 10

GS40120 Decoloniality and Intersectionality Thinking Spring 10

LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring 10

POL40100 Politics of Development Spring 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Spring 10

POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring 10

POL40370 International Political Economy Spring 10

POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring 10

POL40610 EU Foreign, Security, and Defence Pol. Spring 10

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10

POL41910 Political Violence Spring 10

POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring 10

POL42060 International Security Spring 10

POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring 10

POL42430 IR Theory: Conflict and Identity Spring 10

POL42560 AI and Large Language Models Spring 10

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1) in a relevant subject such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law. 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.



Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.



English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

W525 - Full-Time: 1 Year

W526 - Part Time: 2 Years

Commencing September 2025

Careers & Employability

Recent graduates of UCD School of Politics & International Relations now work in:

• United Nations, New York and Geneva

• World Trade Organisation

• Asia Development Bank

• Saatchi & Saatchi

• Credit Suisse First Boston