Program Overview

Introduction to Politics and International Relations

The study of Politics and International Relations is about thinking critically and understanding how the world works. It is ideal for those interested in national or international current affairs, and who find themselves asking questions about why things are the way they are and how they might change.

Program Overview

The Politics and International Relations program at the University of Limerick can be taken as part of the Bachelor of Arts (LM002) or the Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences (LM019). The program is designed to help students develop their analytical and reasoning skills, and to apply these skills to the real world.

Course Structure

• The first year introduces students to the broad study of Politics and International Relations.
• The second year allows students to take courses related to the main studies within the field, including Irish Politics, European Politics, Political Theory, International Relations, and Public Administration.
• The third year provides a wide range of co-op/work placements and the opportunity to study abroad at a large choice of universities.
• The final year allows students to specialize in areas of politics that they are particularly interested in, with a range of elective modules available.

Modules

The modules for the Politics and International Relations program include:

• Introduction to Politics and International Relations 1 and 2
• Comparative European Politics
• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Government and Politics of Ireland
• Researching Politics
• Methods and Research in Political Science
• Government & Politics of the EU
• Capitalism and Social Justice
• Global Political Economy
• International Organisations & Global Governance
• Issues in World Politics
• Policy Making in the European Union
• Introduction to Terrorism and Violent Extremism
• Russian Politics
• Ireland and EU Membership: Adapting Politics, Policy and Polity
• Nationalism, Ethnicity and Conflict
• Gender, Sexuality and Politics
• Democracy in Distress: Political Challenges of the 21st Century
• The Politics of Migration and Diversity
• RIP UK? The Politics of Ireland and Britain
• The Politics of Utopia
• Foreign Policy
• Comparative Politics of Non-Democracy

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are dependent on the program of choice. Additional special qualifications specific to individual subjects or disciplines may be determined by the respective departments in accordance with Academic Council regulations. Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students.

Admission Criteria

• EU Students: must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO)
• Non-EU Students: can apply through the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences degree
• Mature Applicants: must apply through the CAO by 1 February
• QQI Entry: certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements

Fees and Funding

Student course fees are broken into three components: Student Contribution, Student Levy, and Tuition Fees. The current student contribution is set at 2,500, and the Student Levy is 104. Tuition Fees vary depending on residency, citizenship, and course requirements.

Fee Status

• Free Fee Status: students who satisfy all three categories (residency, citizenship, and course requirements)
• EU Fee Status: students who satisfy both citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy course requirements
• Non-EU Fee Status: students who do not meet either citizenship or residency criteria

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available, including:

• All Ireland Scholarships
• Bursary for my Future Scholarship
• Civic Engagement Scholarship
• Cooperative Education Award
• Elaine Fagan Scholarship
• Hegarty Family Access Scholarships
• Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants
• Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships
• Love Actually Charity (LAC) Scholarship
• Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship
• Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme
• Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme
• Stuart Mangan Scholarship
• The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O'Brien Athletics Scholarship
• UL Sports Scholarships

Career Opportunities

Recent graduates of the program are working as:

• Policy advisors
• Civil servants
• Researchers
• Elected representatives
• Data analysts
• Public relations officers
• Teachers
• Journalists Career areas open to graduates include:
• Public Service
• European and International Agencies
• Business
• Heritage and Tourism
• Education and Teaching
• Voluntary and Community Organisations
• Media, Journalism and Public Relations
• Training and Equal Opportunities
• Policy Evaluation
• Research
• Urban Planning and Rural Development
• Social and Market Research

Follow-On Study

Graduates can pursue further study in areas such as:

• Graduate Diploma/MA in Public Administration
• MA International Studies
• MA Peace and Development Studies
• MA Politics
• MA in European Politics & Governance