Program Overview

Overview of the Political Science Program

The Political Science program at Trinity College Dublin is a four-year, full-time course that offers students a comprehensive understanding of governments, public policies, and political behaviors. The program is designed to appeal to students who are interested in exploring the background to current events, the nature and use of power, and how decisions are made that impact wider society.

Course Details

• Duration: 4 years full-time
• Places: 59
• CAO Points: 544-607 (2024)
• CAO Code: B.A. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
• Awards: NFQ Level 8

Course Options

Political Science can be studied as a Joint Honours subject with one of the following options:

• TR328 Geography
• TR457 History
• TR582 Law
• TR758 Social Policy

Admission Requirements

• English Language Requirements: All applicants are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language, meeting Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Fees

For a full list of undergraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Program Structure

First and Second Years

First-year students will be given a grounding in core topics related to the course material, including an introduction to the concepts of political science, sociology, and economics. In the second year, students will advance their understanding of the core concepts covered in the first year, taking in modules such as History of Political Thought, International Relations, and Comparative Politics.

Third and Fourth Years

The following is a list of modules typically on offer:

• Research Methods
• Irish Politics
• Democracy and Development
• European Union Politics
• Political Institutions of the US
• Political Psychology
• Political Violence
• Political Theory: Contemporary Topics
• Issues in Contemporary Politics
• Contemporary International Relations
• African Politics
• Autocracy
• Economic Inequality and Democracy

Some courses are examined by a combination of assessed essays and formal examination; some others are assessed through coursework only. Normally, each course has two hours of lectures and one tutorial per week. In the fourth year, students specializing in Political Science will have the opportunity to research and undertake a Capstone research project on a topic of their choice. Final year classes are typically run as small group seminars.

Study Abroad

The Department of Political Science is a partner in Erasmus exchanges with several European universities. Students taking Political Science as a subject in Joint Honours may also go abroad on an exchange administered by other departments, subject to approval of their course of study abroad by the Department of Political Science.

Graduate Skills and Career Opportunities

There are careers for which a demonstrated interest in politics and advanced research skills are a definite plus and will give students a real head start. Journalism, finance, the civil service, public relations, business, and work in international organizations and NGOs all come into this category. A demonstrated knowledge of how the world works is obviously an asset for many types of careers. In addition, Political Science students develop exceptional communication, writing, and critical thinking skills, which are highly sought after by employers. An increasing number of graduates go on to do further postgraduate study.