Irish History

UCD’s dynamic School of History, the largest in the country, has long played a vital role in leading national debate and research on the evolution of Irish society, culture and politics. This MA enables students to work closely with some of the country’s most renowned historians of Ireland to continue the tradition of providing context, insight and originality in the research of Irish history and its communication to a wide audience. Our teaching is informed by a global perspective, situating events in Ireland in an international and comparative context. UCD faculty have diverse research interests and our module choices reflect this, ranging from the medieval to the modern period and thematically across histories of religion, the environment, medicine and deviancy, gender and war, and twentieth century Irish society and politics.



Students take 60 credits of taught modules, including core modules in historiography and dissemination, and two options. They can follow their own research interests (for example, selecting to focus primarily on the Early Modern period or the twentieth century) and in their choice of topic for their dissertations. The 30 remaining credits are allocated to the 15,00 word dissertation, a substantial piece of original research. Students will become familiar with the extensive Irish history collections in UCD Archives and UCD Library Special Collections and will have the opportunity to explore other archives and libraries located a short distance away in Dublin city centre. There is a lively and dynamic research culture in UCD and students are encouraged to attend our seminar series in gender history, war studies, global history, and those organised by the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation, and the Centre for the History of Medicine in Ireland.



There is a scholarship available for students on the MA in Irish History who are interested in pursuing research in military history. One will be awarded each year to a suitable candidate and it includes payment of the programme fee plus a €5000 stipend.

See further information via webpage:

https://www.ucd.ie/history/study/postgraduateprogrammes/colonelmichaelhefferonmemorialscholarship/



Students will have an opportunity to focus on their own particular areas of interest and be guided by historians with an excellent track record in the teaching and research.

Stage 1 Core Modules

HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Autumn 10

HIS42690 Delving into the Archives Autumn 10

HIS42020 Disseminating History Spring 10

HIS42880 Dissertation Year-long (12 months) 30



Stage 1 Options - B)1 of:

Should must take 1 of these Autumn option modules.

HIS31440 Ireland in the long 1960s Autumn 10

HIS32730 The Digital Humanities Autumn 10

HIS42860 The Body in Modern Warfare Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - C)2 of:

Students must select 2 Spring option modules, including HIS42490 OR HIS42590 (students may take both if they wish).

HIS42490 Landscape and Environment in Ireland, 1500-1800 Spring 10

HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring 10

HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring 10

Minimum of 2.1 or international equivalent in BA History or a cognate subject. Minimum of 2.1 in BA History or a cognate subject.



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

90

Z264: 1 year full-time

Z265: 2 years part-time

Delivery: On Campus

MA Irish History (Z264) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7315

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MA Irish History (Z265) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 4390

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change

Z264 Irish History Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught



Z265 Irish History Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

Careers & Graduate Study Opportunities

You will be equipped to excel in numerous careers that value critical thinking, writing and time- and project-management skills. Many of our alumni work in international business, foreign affairs and Dublin's vibrant tech sector, where a background in the humanities is particularly valued. Others graduates work in senior positions across a diverse range of industries including education, the media, NGOs and the Arts. Some graduates proceed to PhD studies at Irish, British, and European institutions.