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Current Masters and Grad Dip Students

Welcome to the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), the oldest and the largest school of politics in the Republic of Ireland.

Our graduate programmes cover traditional areas of political science such as comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, as well as specialized and/or multi-disciplinary subjects such as European public affairs, human rights, international development, gender, political economy, and nationalism and ethnic conflict. Regardless of which programme you have chosen, we work hard to offer an academic environment that allows you to ensure that your time in SPIRe is both intellectually challenging and professionally valuable. 

Please find below the Masters and Graduate Diploma handbook which contains important information regarding your degree. If you have questions that neither this handbook nor the school website can answer, please do not hesitate to ask for help from one of the contacts listed.

Professor Ben Tonra, MRIA
Chair, Graduate Studies Committee
UCD School of Politics and International Relations

SPIRe Graduate Studies Handbook 2024-25 pdf
MSc Sustainable Development Programme Handbook 2024-25 pdf

FAQs and Forms

  • Students enrolled in SPIRe’s three Graduate Diploma programmes may apply for mid-year transfer into certain of the school’s master’s programmes:
  • Due to the structure of their core curricula, the school’s other master’s programmes are generally not available for mid-year transfer. In special cases, exceptions may be made for students who have earned final marks of B or higher in the research design/method modules that these programmes require in the autumn trimester.

  • Students who wish to transfer must complete the core modules of the programme they wish to pursue. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are registered on the core modules of the relevant programme, which can be found in the Graduate Handbook.

  • In order to be eligible for transfer into one of the master’s programmes listed above, full-time Grad Dip students must pass (minimum D-) all marked modules taken in the autumn trimester and earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 (B-). A single IX in the autumn trimester will not disqualify a student from applying for transfer; students with multiple IXs who wish to transfer will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee on a case-by-case basis. (For part-time students, see below.)

  •  In order to apply for transfer, students must submit the following in a single e-mail to the school’s Postgraduate Administrator (graduatespire@ucd.ie) no later than Friday 10th January 2025. It is solely the student’s responsibility to ensure that this application is submitted by the deadline. Applications will not be considered if they are submitted in hard copy or after the deadline. The email should contain the following:

    1. A formal letter indicating the student’s name, UCD student number, which Grad Dip s/he is enrolled in and which master’s programme s/he wishes to transfer onto.

    2. A brief statement (250-350 words) regarding the topic of the thesis s/he wishes to write if admitted to a master’s programme.

  • Once applications are submitted, the school’s Postgraduate Administrator will confirm each applicant’s eligibility for transfer and then forward all eligible applications to the Graduate Studies Committee for review and decision. Decisions shall be communicated to the student by the Postgraduate Administrator.

  • Part-time GradDip students are covered by this same policy, but all requirements related to Autumn trimester and Spring trimester apply instead to Year 1 and Year 2. The deadline for part-time applicants is Friday 1st August 2025.

  • Students approved for transfer will be required to pay the difference in fees that will apply.

  • Students whose transfer applications are not approved will remain enrolled in their original Grad Dip programme.

For comprehensive information on Registration, please click here.

Orientation normally takes place on the first week of term. The date will be sent to prospective students about 2 weeks before term starts.

Please see some information about general orientation across the university:

http://www.ucd.ie/students/newstudents/index.html   

       

The methods of assessment vary from module to module, but may contain a combination of written assignments, presentations, and/or final exam. Details can be found in the course outlines or from the module coordinator. Where exams take place, they will be at the end of each trimester, and are scheduled by the UCD Assessment and Logistics Unit.

All students will be required to submit assessed written work in the course of the semesters. The modalities for the submission process vary between courses. If a hard copy has to be submitted (instead or in addition to an electronic copy via Brightspace or email to the lecturer), a signed “Declaration of Authorship” form must be attached to the essay (and handed in to the location specified by the lecturer).

All written work must be submitted on or before the due dates. Submission deadlines can be found on the course outlines distributed in the first session of each module. Coursework submitted at any time up to and including 5 working days after the due date will have the grade awarded reduced by one grade point (for example, from B- to C+).

Coursework submitted more than five working days but up to and including ten working days after the due date will have the grade reduced by two grade points (for example, from B- to C). Coursework received more than ten working days after the due date will not be accepted by the School. The onus is on you to ensure that you receive a receipt for all work submitted and you should retain this receipt as proof of submission should it be needed at a later date. If you have any questions about deadlines, contact your lecturer. If you have questions about submission receipts, contact the lecturer or the school office.

In case of illness that prevents you from submitting assessed work by the deadline, you need to refer to the university's Extenuating Circumstances Policy and submit an Extenuating Circumstances Application (opens in a new window)online You will need to submit a medical certificate (a letter from a GP or clinic specifying the dates of your illness or incapacity). Without a med cert, it is not possible to get extenuating circumstance. If you have questions about this, please contact the school office.

In accordance with the University’s procedures for anonymous marking, please do not put your name on the work submitted. Please do ensure, however, that your student number, the module number and title for which work is being submitted, the lecturer to whom it is being submitted, all appear on any piece of work you submit.

All work submitted for assessment must comply with the policy on plagiarism (below) and the policy on re-use of assessed work (below).

To apply for Late Submission of Coursework you must complete the (opens in a new window)Late Submission Google form Autumn 2024-25.

It is better to apply for this in advance of any deadline date and to have already consulted with your Module Coordinator. If you require an extension of more than 10 working days, you should apply for Extenuating Circumstances.

Please see the policy on the late submission of coursework in the Graduate Taught Handbook.

(opens in a new window)Module Assessment Scheme

Assignments are graded on a letter scale from A to FM. Ranges A to FM are further subdivided (A+, A, A-, etc. ) For complete, up to date information on grading, please consult UCD Assessment

Grade range

A

A deep and systematic engagement with the assessment task, with consistently impressive demonstration of a comprehensive mastery of the subject matter, reflecting;

  • a deep and broad knowledge and critical insight as well as extensive reading;
  • a critical and comprehensive appreciation of the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • an exceptional ability to organise, analyse and present arguments fluently and lucidly with a high level of critical analysis, amply supported by evidence, citation or quotation;
  • a highly-developed capacity for original, creative and logical thinking.

B

A substantial engagement with the assessment task, demonstrating

  • a thorough familiarity with the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • well-developed capacity to analyse issues, organise material, present arguments clearly and cogently well supported by evidence, citation or quotation;
  • some original insights and capacity for creative and logical thinking.

C

An intellectually competent and factually sound answer with, marked by,

  • evidence of a reasonable familiarity with the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • good developed arguments, but more statements of ideas
  • arguments or statements adequately but not well supported by evidence, citation or quotation
  • some critical awareness and analytical qualities
  • some evidence of capacity for original and logical thinking

D

An acceptable level of intellectual engagement with the assessment task showing

  • some familiarity with the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • mostly statements of ideas, with limited development of argument
  • limited use of evidence, citation or quotation
  • limited critical awareness displayed
  • limited evidence of capacity for original and logical thinking

D -

The minimum acceptable level of intellectual engagement with the assessment task with

  • the minimum acceptable appreciation of the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • ideas largely expressed as statements, with little or no developed or structured argument
  • minimum acceptable use of evidence, citation or quotation
  • little or no analysis or critical awareness displayed or is only partially successful
  • little or no demonstrated capacity for original and logical thinking

FM

An unacceptable level of intellectual engagement with the

assessment task, with

  • no appreciation of the relevant literature or theoretical, technical or professional framework
  • no developed or structured argument
  • no use of evidence, citation or quotation
  • no analysis or critical awareness displayed or is only partially successful
  • no demonstrated capacity for original and logical thinking

SPIRe understands that you might have circumstances outside your control which means that you will be unable to complete assessments and sit exams. The School of Politics and International Relations and UCD generally have a variety of excellent support services for students who are in need (see other sections on this page).

It is important that you advise us of problems as early as possible; preferably in advance of the deadlines that you are concerned about. 

Problems of various kinds may be taken into account in marking work, or considering whether or not a late penalty should apply for an essay. It is important that you speak to the module coordinator or tutor.

You should also familiarise yourself with the university's Extenuating Circumstances Policy and you will be required to do the following:

  • Submit an online application for (opens in a new window)Extenuating Circumstances through SISWeb.
  • Provide an original medical certificate or other supporting documentation in addition to the declaration. This can be attached to your application or emailed to graduatespire@ucd.ie

A Leave of Absence is an extended period of time away from a programme of study, at the request of the student, and approved by the relevant Governing Board.

A Leave of Absence enables you to take an approved and specified period of time away from your programme. Please see here for additional information and instructions on the Leave of Absence process.

If you wish to Withdraw from the programme, please complete the online form via your SISWEB account.

The date you submit your withdrawal application will impact the amount of fees you owe. Please see here for detailed information.

In both instances, it is important that you speak with either your programme coordinator or the postgraduate administrator before you submit an LOA or withdrawal request.

Graduation, or conferral from UCD, generally takes place at the end of November/ beginning of December for Masters and Graduate Diploma students.

This is managed by the Conferring Unit. You can find out more by looking on their website. All students eligible to confer will be emailed directly by the conferring unit.

UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

School Office: G301, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.