Whether interested in understanding the intricacies of international relations, delving into political theory, or engaging with contemporary political issues, politics courses in Ireland provide a fertile ground for academic and professional growth.
Choosing the right Irish university is a critical step in your educational journey. For political science students, this means finding a programme that not only covers the fundamental aspects of political science but also offers opportunities for hands-on experience, research, and engagement with the political community.
This blog will explore the best universities in Ireland for studying politics. From the historic halls of Trinity College Dublin to the vibrant academic community at University College Dublin and beyond, we’ll highlight each institution's strengths, unique offerings, and what makes it stand out in political studies.
Learn more below, and to apply, contact SI-Ireland today for a free consultation.
Best Ireland Universities to Study Political Science
Learn more about Ireland's leading universities for studying politics below (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
1. Trinity College Dublin
The Department of Political Science of Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, is one of Ireland's top political science departments. It has consistently ranked globally in the top 50 political science departments per the QS World Subject Ranking 2024. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in political science, where students experience high-quality teaching.
The Postgraduate Applied Social Data Science (MSc/PG Diploma) is considered one of the popular politics courses offered by the university. This one-year full-time programme equips you with fundamentals in quantitative social science research methods and state-of-the-art analytic approaches from statistics and machine learning. During the course, you will learn how to implement the skills and knowledge necessary to apply data science techniques to real-world social problems, such as poverty and social exclusion. You can work in different political organisations and government agencies to tackle conflict, terrorism, and disease outbreaks using natural language processing methods.
- Suggested course: Applied Social Data Science in Political Science
- Entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a social science discipline or computer science with a minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4 | Demonstrate strong demand for English language proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL
- International fees: €23,000
2. University College Dublin
The UCD School of Politics and International Relations is one of the oldest and largest schools in the Republic of Ireland. It offers exciting and valuable programmes in political studies at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The school is also home to four research centres: the UN-linked Centre for Sustainable Development Solutions, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Research, the Centre for Asia-Pacific Research, and the Centre for Connected Politics.
If you are passionate about political science, international relations, and public policy, then University College Dublin has much to offer. A politics degree in Ireland helps you understand the structure of national and global politics, where you engage in contemporary political debates and analyse political topics with quantitative and qualitative research methods. The modules of specific politics degrees comprise Irish Foreign Policy, Liberalism, Feminism, European Union Politics, and Foundations of Global Development. Some in-demand careers include legislative assistant, press secretary, and nonprofit programme coordinator.
- Suggested course: M.A in Politics and International Relations
- Entry requirements: Bachelor’s in political science or equivalent discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.08 | TOEFL minimum score of 600 or IELTS overall minimum score of 6.5
- International fees: €11,300
3. Dublin City University
The Dublin City University School of Law and Government offers compelling politics and international relations designed to give students an in-depth understanding of political processes, international relations, and global governance. The course covers various topics, including political theory, comparative politics, European Union politics, and conflict resolution. With a strong emphasis on critical thinking, research, and analysis, the program equips students with the skills to assess and address complex political issues. The faculty comprises experts in various fields, and the university's location in Dublin provides unique opportunities for students to engage with Ireland's political landscape and diplomatic community. The program also offers internship and study abroad opportunities to enhance students' learning experiences.
- Suggested course: B.A in Economics, Politics, and Law
- Entry requirements: Excellent academic record with a minimum of 60% or more | IELTS academic score of 6.5 or TOEFL minimum overall score of 237 or any other acceptable English language proficiency skills test
- International fees: €16,000
Study Politics in Ireland
If you want to study in Ireland, why not arrange a free consultation with SI-Global today? Our educational consultants will discuss your study options with you.
