MA in European Law and Policy

Program Overview

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MA in European Law and Policy

Course Details

Course Code:

DC697

Course Type:

Postgraduate

NFQ Level:

- Please see for further information

Delivery Modes

• Full-Time
• Part-Time

Duration

• (FT - 1 Year)
• (PT - 2 Years)

Overview

The EU is an increasingly important policy and legal actor. EU action cuts across virtually every policy field including security, economic policy, human rights and the environment. In response, DCU has established the Masters in European Law and Policy, an innovative programme that will equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate and address those 21st century challenges, from Brexit to climate change and to the post-pandemic economic and social recovery.

Careers & Further Options

Careers

The Masters in European Law and Policy is designed to equip participants with a range of legal and policy related social science skills with specific reference to the European dimension of law and policy. Participants will graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of EU law and processes and public policy design, implementation and evaluation. Graduates will be equipped to engage in legal and policy advice and analysis across a wide range of fields impacted by European law and policy. Internships/work placements available on a competitive basis as part of an optional professional development module.

Possible careers

• Legal policy advisor
• Policy maker
• National or European public servant
• Lawyer and legal advisor *

• The Masters in European Law and Policy does not qualify an individual as a legal practitioner in Ireland or elsewhere. Further professional qualifications are required.

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

For admission to the MA in in European Law and Policy programme, successful applicants will have -

• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.1 or above) or equivalent.
• Applicants with the equivalent of a H2.2 in a related discipline with relevant work experience may also be considered.
• If the applicant has not yet completed their degree than a conditional offer may be made on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of a H2.1 degree.
• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Programme Structure

Overview

The Masters in European Law and Policy is designed to integrate legal and policy analysis and to equip students with complementary knowledge and skills across both fields. It is designed to ensure students have a comprehensive grounding in both EU law and policy analysis while allowing for some specialisation in either law or policy through optional modules and the dissertation topic.

Core modules include:

• Law and Politics of Brexit - one of the first modules of its kind on the island of Ireland
• Public Policy Analysis and EU Institutional Law

Optional modules include:

• Climate Change Law
• EU Banking and Finance Law
• EU Trade Law and Policy
• Policy Challenges
• Public Policy Evaluation
• Health Policy
• Housing Policy
• Irish Foreign Policy
• European and International Human Rights Law

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Full time
  • EU Status Fee: €7,900
  • Non EU Fee: €17,000
• Part time
  • EU Status Fee Part-time: €4,300 Per Annum
  • Non EU Fee Part time: €8,300 Per Annum

How To Apply

Make an Application

Application Deadlines

This programme will not be running during the next Academic Year.

Application Queries

For EU applicant queries, please visit postgraduate-taught-admissions or email

For non EU applicant queries, please visit postgraduate or email

Commencement of Programme

This programme will not be running during the next Academic Year.

Life On Campus

Life on Campus

At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.

DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.

They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.

Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.

Exceptional Facilities

DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.

These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.

We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.

Campus Life

Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.

There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.

For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.

The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.

On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.

Accommodation

Information about accommodation each of our three campuses can be accessed here.

Student Supports

We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.

Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice

The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year

Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules

Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.

work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.

Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.

FAQs

Faculty FAQs

Is DCU all one campus?

DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.

Click here to see maps of all of our campuses

If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?

Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.

Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?

We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.

Does DCU provide accommodation?

DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.

Have You Considered?

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CAO Code

DC662

Type

postgraduate

NFQ

9

Delivery

full time

Duration

(FT - 1 Year), (PT - 2 years)

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CAO Code

DC625

Type

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NFQ

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Delivery

full time

Duration

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Program Outline

Master's in European Law and Policy (MELP) at Dublin City University (DCU)

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Degree Overview:

The MELP is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex challenges like Brexit, climate change, and the post-pandemic economic landscape. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating legal and public policy analysis to offer a complete understanding of the EU's legislative and institutional framework, its policy design processes, and the impact of EU law.

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Outline:

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Structure:

The MELP offers both full-time (one year) and part-time (two years) formats delivered online, providing flexibility for diverse needs.

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Modules:

The curriculum combines core modules laying a strong foundation and optional modules allowing for specialization.

• Core modules:
• Law and Politics of Brexit
• Public Policy Analysis and EU Institutional Law
• Research Skills
• Optional modules (choose one from each category):
• Law: Climate Change Law, EU Banking and Finance Law, EU Trade Law and Policy
• Policy: Policy Challenges, Public Policy Evaluation, Health Policy, Housing Policy, Irish Foreign Policy, European and International Human Rights Law

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Dissertation:

Students complete a dissertation in either law or public policy under faculty supervision.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods vary by module and may include essays, presentations, exams, policy papers, and the dissertation. Specific details will be provided on a module-by-module basis.

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Teaching:

The program adopts an interactive and problem-based teaching style, fostering engagement and active learning. Small class sizes and diverse student groups enable personalized attention, while accessible lecturers offer real-world expertise. The program also provides links to employers and a network of alumni. Unique teaching approaches:

• Case studies and simulations: Analyzing real-world scenarios in the EU context
• Guest speakers and practitioner visits: Gaining insights from expert practitioners
• Collaborative projects and group work: Developing teamwork and communication skills
### Careers: Graduates are equipped for diverse careers in public, private, and non-profit sectors, including:
• Legal Policy Advisor
• Policymaker
• National or European Public Servant
• Lawyer and Legal Advisor

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Internship/Work Placement:

An optional module offers competitive placements for hands-on experience.

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Other:

• Brexit Institute Connection: Students benefit from faculty links to this leading research center analyzing Brexit's legal and political impacts.
• Jean Monnet Initiatives: The program is involved in two EU-funded projects addressing the post-pandemic recovery and further strengthening EU expertise.
## Conclusion This detailed extraction captures the MELP's key aspects, showcasing its focus on interdisciplinarity, real-world relevance, and career preparedness. While not running in 2024, it offers valuable information for prospective students considering future enrollment.

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Full time EU Status Fee €7,700 Non EU Fee. €16,500 Part time EU Status Fee Part-time €4,200 Per Annum Non EU Fee Part time €8,100 Per Annum