¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

Bachelor of Arts Global Politics

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO points history
400
Course code
LM030
Duration
4 years
Fees
See what fees may apply to students
Subject area
Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Director
Dr. Scott Fitzsimmons
Email
scott.fitzsimmons@ul.ie
Tel
+353-61-233603
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755
Queries
Contact the Academic Registry
Apply Now for September

This degree equips students with the essential knowledge and critical skills needed to understand Irish, EU and global political systems, globalisation, international relations and global development. Complementary subjects such as history, geography, sociology and optional language studies broaden understanding further. Opportunities like a semester of Erasmus/Exchange and work placement are also core components of the programme. Graduates will be poised for careers in the public sector and private organisations in a variety of positions including policy-related roles, communications and political advising.  With the knowledge and skills they have acquired, graduates will be ready to make significant contributions to the global society. 

About you

Global Politics at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ is all about thinking critically and understanding how the world works. If you are interested in national or international current affairs; if you find yourself asking questions about why things are the way they are and how they might change; then Global Politics ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ could be for you.

Why study BA in Global Politics?

In today’s globalised world, politics must be understood from the broadest possible perspective. Our staff have a particularly wide breadth of expertise across the discipline, and the BA Global Politics programme ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ stands out for the wide range of subject areas covered. As well as gaining a thorough understanding of Irish and EU politics, students will learn about the wider international system and will have the opportunity to study the politics of different world regions. The deeper philosophical questions about how societies and governments should be organised are also addressed.

In the final year, students have the opportunity to specialise in areas of politics that they are particularly interested in.

What you will study

The subjects available on the BA Students will study the foundations of global politics and will then look at the areas of Irish, European and regional politics through the lens of comparative politics and political theory. They will also look at the areas of international political economy, development and conflict studies, key concepts such as gender, multiculturalism and nationalism and the problems associated with contemporary capitalism. They will also go on Erasmus and on Co-op placement, where they will have the potential opportunity to work for international organisations.

First year

In their first year students will study two modules on the introduction to politics and international relations, two modules on the introduction to public administration, one module on global politics and one module on Irish politics. They will then have the option of taking introductory modules in history, sociology and geography.

Second year

In their second year, students will study international relations, development, comparative politics, political theory, global political economy, comparative public policy, government and politics of the EU, capitalism and society justice and two modules on research and methods in global politics.

Third year

Co-Op (semester one) and Erasmus (semester two)

Fourth year

Students will take a selection of electives that will include studying international organisation, issues

in world politics, foreign policy, regions across the world, nationalism, multiculturalism, environmental politics, terrorism, Ireland and Europe and policy studies within the EU. They will also write a final year project on their choice

Career opportunities

This degree will interest anyone who wishes to go into public service (particularly within politics), work in international organisations, the media, and in any area of policy.

Career titles might include Political Analyst, Parliamentary Assistant, Diplomat, Journalist, Executive Officer, and Campaign Officer.

Follow-on study

What you will study

Year 1

Year 1 AutumnYear 1 Spring
4 Core Modules4 Core Modules

PO4051 –

PO4013 –

PA4001 –

HP4001 –

PO4052 –

PO4122 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

PA4022 –

CU4013 -

1 Elective Module1 Elective Module

SO4001 –

GY4001 –

HI4071 –

SO4032 –

GY4012 –

HI4142 –

Year 2

Year 2 AutumnYear 2 SpringYear 2 Summer
5 Core Modules5 Core ModulesCoop

PO4018 –

PO4023 –

PA4003 –

PO4033 –

PO4103 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

PA4047 –

PO4004 –

PO4015 –

PO4102 –

PO4104 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

CO4230 –

Year 3

Year 3 AutumnYear 3 Spring
CoopErasmus
CO4310 – IP4320 –

 Year 4

Year 4 AutumnYear 4 Spring
2 Core Modules2 Core Modules

PO4027 –

PO4147 –

PO4048 –

PO4148 –

3 Elective Modules3 Elective Modules

PO4032 –

PO4067 –

PO4107 –

PO4117 –

PA4023 –

PA4037 –

PA4007 –

PO4088 –

PO4108 –

PA4008 –

PO4118 –

PO4128 – (Exclusive module)

PO4158 – (Exclusive module)

Year 1

Year 1 AutumnYear 1 Spring
4 Core Modules4 Core Modules

PO4051 –

PO4013 –

PA4001 –

HP4001 –

PO4052 –

PO4122 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

PA4022 –

CU4013 -

1 Language Elective Module1 Language Elective Module
French, Spanish, German, or JapaneseFrench, Spanish, German, or Japanese

Year 2

Year 2 AutumnYear 2 SpringYear 2 Summer
1 Core Module1 Core ModuleCoop
PO4103 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)PO4102 –  

1 Language Elective Module

French, Spanish, German, or Japanese

1 Language Elective Module

French, Spanish, German, or Japanese

 

3 Non-language Elective Modules

PO4018 –

PO4023 –

PA4003 –

PO4033 –

3 Non-language Elective Modules

PA4047 –

PO4004 –

PO4015 –

PO4104 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

 

Year 3

Year 3 AutumnYear 3 Spring
CoopErasmus
CO4310 – IP4320 –

Year 4

Year 4 AutumnYear 4 Spring
2 Core Modules2 Core Modules

PO4027 –

PO4147 –

PO4048 –

PO4148 –

1 Language Elective Module1 Language Elective Module
French, Spanish, German, or JapaneseFrench, Spanish, German, or Japanese
2 Non-language Elective Modules2 Non-language Elective Module

PO4032 –

PO4067 –

PO4107 –

PO4117 –

PA4023 –

PA4037 –

PA4007 –  

PO4088 –

PO4108 –

PA4008 –

PO4118 –

PO4128 – (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

PO4158 –   (EXCLUSIVE MODULE)

Entry requirements

CAO points history
400
Minimum grades

Minimum requirements: 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7
English: O6/H7
2nd language: O6/H7
Maths: F6/O6/H7

Note: Students wishing to study a language (French, German, Spanish, or Japanese) will be required to have at least grade H3 in that language.
Additional considerations

Mature Students

Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants 

QQI Entry

Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules.
Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

 

Where are you applying from?How to Apply
IrelandIrish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EUEU students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU countryIf you are outside of the EU, 

 

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €2,558
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €102
Total €5,660

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €2,558
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €102
Total €5,660

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €2,558
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €102
Total €5,660

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €16,798
Student pays Student Levy €102
Total €16,900

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €102. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 years' duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the .
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for all courses