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DC230

Economics, Politics and Law

Course Details

CAO Code:
DC230
Course Type:
Undergraduate
NFQ Level:
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Modes
Full-Time
Minimum Points
440
Duration
3 or 4 Years
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 5822

Set yourself apart with the only degree in Ireland integrating Economics, Politics and Law in one degree programme

Overview

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Are you interested in how societies work? DCU’s Economics, Politics and Law (EPL) degree course is designed to give you a deep and thorough understanding of the political, legal and economic forces that shape the world. 

 

Build strong foundations 

This degree provides a solid base to all three disciplines and you will study foundational topics such as introductions to micro and macroeconomics, political science and constitutional law. You don’t need to have done any of these before. As you progress through your studies you may choose to specialise in areas such as Urban and Regional Economics, Issues in American Politics or Family Law, to name a few. You will also maximise your learning potential with dedicated research methods modules that will equip you with a variety of study skills.

 

Skills attractive to employers

This extremely versatile degree provides you with skills and knowledge that are highly valued across sectors including finance and banking, government and policy, the legal profession, NGOs and more. This degree will help you develop your oral and written communication skills, research techniques, critical thinking, teamwork and research abilities.

 

3 or 4 year degree

You can complete the BA in Economics, Politics and Law degree in three years, or choose to take an extra year either to study abroad or complete an INTRA placement.

 

DCU People

Profile picture of Orlaith Onoh
Orliath Onoh
Student

Growing up, I've always had a strong love and passion for Politics and trying to understand how the world functions.


Read more about Orliath Onoh
Profile Picture of Eoin O'Malley
Eoin O’Malley
Staff

Hi I’m Eoin O'Malley and I’m an Associate Professor in politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University. 


Read more about Eoin O’Malley

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

Graduates from the BA in Economics, Politics and Law degree take away a keen understanding of public policy and how government decisions are made with the ability to identify emerging issues and analyse policy proposals. 

 

A degree that opens doors

The BA in Economics, Politics and Law gives you a strong grounding in all three disciplines that will stand you in good stead for a broad range of careers in law, consultancy, finance and various aspects of public policy making, including elected politics, social and political research, journalism, public affairs and advocacy. You will also have the chance to specialise in one of these disciplines as you progress in your degree, if desired. Organisations across the public, private and not for profit sectors depend on a keen knowledge of political, economic and legal environments, and this unique programme is geared to giving students the core skills that maximise their employability. 

 

Solicitor’s exams

Graduates from this degree will also be prepared for entry to the Law Society of Ireland as trainee solicitors on successful completion of the relevant entrance exams, as the course covers all subjects required for these entrance exams. It is NOT a recognised law degree for entry to King’s Inns.

  • Politics
  • Public Service
  • Broadcasting/Journalism
  • Legal Service 
  • Advocacy/Campaigning
  • Tax/financial services
  • Policy-evaluation
  • Research Academia
  • Teaching 
  • Not for profit sector
  • International and European Institutions
Solicitor
Politician
Economist
Public Servant
Legal advisor
Advocacy campaigner
Tax consultant
Financial consultant
Head of Policy
Academic
Journalist

DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making applications.

 

Entry Requirements

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In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:

O4 or H6 in Mathematics

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:

GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE C Mathematics

Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.

 

Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.

 

To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.

 

Applications are welcomed from students who have studied at Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 in relevant areas. Such transfer students may be exempt from certain modules.

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Course Structure

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In Years 1 and 2, there is an equal weighting of the three disciplines of economics, politics and law. In the final year, you take a core module in each discipline. Beyond that, you are free to specialise in one of the three disciplines or continue to study a combination of all three. Research methods modules taken in Years 1 and 2 will provide core learning skills that you will use throughout your degree. In final year, further modules will enhance your knowledge of research methods and dissertation skills. These skills will provide you with the tools to analyse major issues affecting society from an economic, political and legal perspective. 

Dissertation 
In your final year, you may choose to complete a written dissertation - this is your final project that showcases all you’ve learned and the skills you have acquired over the course of your studies.

Final year
The BA in Economics, Politics and Law is normally a three-year course. However, you can elect to spend an extra year either at a university abroad or to work in an INTRA placement in Year 3 which will mean you complete your final year at DCU in year 4.

Study abroad 
Studying abroad provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of another country and greatly enhances your language skills. You will have an option to study abroad for a year at one of our partner universities in Year 3 and complete the final year of your degree in Year 4 in DCU. (The option to study abroad is offered on merit once you fulfil the criteria.)

INTRA placement
You will have an option to apply for a year-long paid work placement as part of DCU’s INTRA placement programme in Year 3 and complete the final year of your degree in Year 4. INTRA provides you with a chance to work in a real world environment giving you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and experience the relevance of your study. For more information on the INTRA programme at DCU, please visit www.dcu.ie/intra (Note: This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements.)

Learn from the best
Lecturers on this course are engaged experts in politics, policy, economics, law and society who you will often find giving commentary on key societal issues in the media. Their style of teaching on this degree puts an emphasis on doing, with classes focused on practical problem-solving.

What Will I Study?
While content of the course may change over time, these modules are indicative of what you will be studying in each year.

 

  • Constitutional Law
  • Introduction to Politics
  • Mathematics for Economics
  • Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Data Analysis
  • Introduction to European Integration
  • International Political Economy
  • Introduction to Macroeconomics

 

 

  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • The Irish Political System
  • The Law of Contract
  • European Union Law
  • Criminal Law 1
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Public Finance
  • Research Design and Methods
  • Political Ideologies
  • Advanced European Union Law

 

  • Optional study year abroad or INTRA placement

 

 

You may choose to specialise in the final year or continue to study a mix of disciplines from the options available.

 

Core Modules

  • Topics in Applied Economics
  • Jurisprudence
  • Public Policy

 

Options Include

  • Dissertation
  • Uaneen Award: DCU’s Leadership and Engagement Module
  •  

Economics Specialism:

  • Economics Estimation and Analysis
  • Financial Markets
  • Development Economics
  • Industrial Economics
  • Public Choice
  • Urban and Regional Economics
  • Financial Theory
  • International Trade and Business
  • Mathematics of Finance

 

Politics Specialism:

  • Post-Soviet Politics
  • The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
  • The Politics of South Asia
  • Money and Politics
  • Nationalism & Populism
  • Issues in American Politics
  • Issues in European Integration
  • Contemporary Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
  • The Politics of Migration in Europe

 

Law Specialism:

  • Property Law 1 and 2
  • Law of Torts 1 and 2
  • Issues in European Law
  • Company Law
  • Employment Law
  • Administrative Law
  • Family Law
  • Advanced Company Law
  • Law of Evidence
  • Jurisprudence 2
  • Principles of Equity and Trust
  • International Trade Law
  • Climate Change Law

 


For more information on the course structure click here

Fees and Funding

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Fees

Student Contribution
€3,043 per annum
EU Status Fee
€6,679 per annum
Non EU Fee
€16,000 per annum

How To Apply

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Applicants presenting EU School Leaving/FETAC Level 5 examinations: Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May

To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Please provide 

  • Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.

All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here

Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 6th of November. 

Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
 

Life On Campus

Life on Campus

Debate Society

As an EPL student you might be interested in joining the DCU Debate Society which aims to encourage the personal development of its members, whether that be in relation to self confidence or simply fine tuning our arguments. 

 

Dublin Law and Politics Review

Another society relevant to you is the Dublin Law and Politics Review which promotes interdisciplinary thinking in law and politics and facilitates learning. It also publishes the Dublin Law and Politics Review, a peer-reviewed academic magazine.

 

Enactus

Members develop the skills necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow - be it working for a corporate organisation, volunteering for a charity or setting up their social enterprise. DCU’s Enactus also takes part in the Enactus National Competition in June and has won this competition 6 out of 10 times and represented Enactus Ireland at the Enactus World Cup.

 

More societies

Other DCU societies that you may want to check out include the Politics Society, Law Society, Student Business Consulting Society, Social Democrats, Young Fine Gael Society, Young Greens Society, People Before Profit, Ógra Shinn Féin, Ógra Fianna Fáil

 

DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

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