Program Overview

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Course Details

Higher Diploma in Arts (Politics)

Course Code: HDAPO

Duration: 1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time

Teaching Mode: Full-time, Part-Time

Qualifications: HDip in Arts

NFQ Level: Level 8

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.

Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Arts (Politics) is intended for those who already have a degree and who want to study politics intensively over one academic year full-time or two academic years part-time (by day). This is a conversion course so you would not normally have studied politics to honours degree level previously.

It is aimed at graduates who may wish to be considered for a master’s course in politics subsequently (but do not have an honours degree in the relevant area) or who may want to add politics to their qualifications.

The Higher Diploma in Politics consists of modules to the value of 60 credits and the subject of Politics is built around three pillars with contributions from the Department of Government and Politics, the School of History, and the Department of Philosophy. You must take two classes that teach core research and analytical skills:

• PO2001 – Political Analysis (5 credits)
• PO3001 – Dissertation (10 credits)

You must also take 5 credits from each of the Department’s subject groups in second year (15 credits) and 5 credits from each of the Department’s subject groups in third year (15 credits). The remaining 15 credits can be taken from any of the second or third-year modules, subject to timetable constraints. This allows you considerable flexibility to build your diploma around your personal interests in politics.

The following is a list of indicative modules. This list is subject to change on a yearly basis.

• Issues in Irish Politics
• Ethics and Moral Psychology
• Violence and War
• Comparative European Politics
• Feminist Philosophy
• Women, Gender and Politics
• Politics of an individual country (including China and the USA)
• International Relations
• Citizen Participation
• Global Governance
• Conflict and Conflict Resolution

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

While this course is available as both a full-time and part-time option, all classes take place during normal working hours. The amount of lectures you will attend in any given week will vary depending on the modules you choose, but might typically involve between ten and fifteen hours a week. You would be expected to spend around twice as much time reading and completing assignments.

Assessment

Students will participate in a wide range of challenging assessment methods over the course of the diploma. Core research and communication skills are developed through traditional methods such as reviews and essays but the focus of assessment has moved to creative techniques and you will design posters, write policy reports, make individual and group presentations, participate in negotiation simulation exercises designed around international institutions, write opinion editorials and complete funding applications. The varied assessment profile is designed to ensure that you acquire diverse skills during your degree.

Who teaches this course?

The Higher Diploma in Politics is taught by staff members from three academic units; Government and Politics, History, and Philosophy. Among others from History, Drs David Fitzgerald and Mervyn O’Driscoll offer expertise in International Relations, the EU and Terrorism; among others from Government, Prof Andrew Cottey, Prof Theresa Reidy and Dr Fiona Buckley offer expertise in Global Governance, Irish Politics and Women in Politics; and among others from Philosophy, Dr Kian Mintz-Woo and Prof Vittorio Bufacchi offer expertise in Applied ethics (especially climate and medical ethics, such as climate policy in the context of COVID-19), Political Philosophy and Moral responsibility.

Why Choose This Course

The Higher Diploma in Politics at UCC is an interdisciplinary course taught jointly by staff from the Department of Government and Politics, School of History and School of Philosophy. The course staff are drawn from a broad range of specialist backgrounds and this contributes to a diverse and creative learning environment for our students.

Over the course of the diploma there is a wide range of clubs and societies that you may join, including UCC’s Government and Politics Society, which organises a variety of events throughout the academic year. Some organised events may provide students with opportunities to participate in field trips to Irish and/or international political institutions. There may also be an opportunity to contribute to the student online journal.

Skills and Careers Information

During your time on the Politics course, you develop a broad set of skills which you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Varied teaching and assessment styles are used to ensure that you develop critical thinking abilities, hone your analytical capabilities and build effective communication skills, including both written and presentation elements.

In recent years, our Politics graduates have gone into a wide range of professions. They have become administrators; recruitment consultants; business analysts; campaign coordinators for charities, interest groups and political parties; policy analysts; and officials in international organisations, to name just some.

Requirements

It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4 year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject Politics intensively over one academic year. The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay?

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.