International Relations
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The International Relations degree will give you insight into the major world issues that challenge and fascinate us today. You’ll examine the forces that shape contemporary societies, such as globalisation, international law, third-world debt and American foreign policy. You’ll also study key institutions like the European Union and the United Nations.
You’ll learn from staff with expertise in areas such as Terrorism and Counter-terrorism, European Union studies, Middle-Eastern studies, International Security and Conflict Studies, International Law and Aid, and Development Studies.
The programme also prepares you for the work force by imparting broader abilities, such as oral and written communication skills, the capacity to think analytically, teamwork skills, and research techniques.
The wide range of courses on offer in the International Relations degree allows you to explore interests you already have, and discover an interest in subjects you may not have thought about. Lecturers are always approachable, friendly and available. The opportunity to study abroad in third year was one of the best experiences I have ever had - Catherine Connolly, IR Graduate.
Why this programme?
- Set yourself apart with the only BA dedicated to International Relations in Ireland
- Investigate the organisation and interaction of modern societies
- Avail of the opportunity to study abroad or undertake an INTRA work placement
- Be part of a School known for its expertise in Governance and International Relations
- Benefit from the skills and experience of our dedicated, supportive and highly qualified academic team
- Develop a range of multidisciplinary skills in high demand by employers
About this Course
Combined with the extensive optional modules available, you’ll have plenty of flexibility in what you choose to study alongside the core elements.
This programme has two streams: the International Relations stream and the Language stream. The international relations stream offers a wide range of optional modules. The second stream is the Language stream, students who choose to take the Language stream can take intermediate French, German or Spanish as optional modules and should also satisfy the entry requirements (minimum H4 in Leaving Cert or Level C in GCE A Level C).
The BA in International Relations is normally a three-year course. However, you may elect to spend an extra year abroad in one of our partner universities in in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the USA. This is an excellent opportunity to experience another society at first hand. After you complete the year abroad, you’ll return to DCU for your final year.
View the current course structure
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and Socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUfm. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
The wide range of courses on offer in the International Relations degree allows you to explore interests you already have, and discover an interest in subjects you may not have thought about. Lecturers are always approachable, friendly and available. The opportunity to study abroad in third year was one of the best experiences I have ever had - Catherine Connolly, IR Graduate.
Student Louise McLarnon describes DCU’s BA in International Relations degree.
International Relations is a diverse field that is extremely relevant in the increasingly globalised world we live in. Graduates from our BA in International Relations will be ideally suited to a number of roles especially when combined with work experience abroad and foreign language skills. With deep insight into global politics, cultures and the ability to identify and analyse global issues, graduates of International Relations are well placed to pursue careers with governmental and non-governmental organisations, both national and international, like the United Nations and European Union, diplomatic services, as well as with major international corporations.
Career Areas:
- International civil service
- Diplomatic services
- International aid
- Policy evaluation and research
- International commerce
- Journalism
- Politics
- Armed forces
- Public Affairs
- Public Policy Education
Requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
Once admitted to the programme, students choose, at the point of registration, whether to study a language and register for 10 credits in their chosen language. They must continue with this language throughout years two and three of the programme.
If students wishes to choose the language stream, they must meet the following language requirements
Minimum of H4 in French if they wish to register for Intermediate French
Minimum of H4 in German if they wish to register for Intermediate German
Minimum of H4 in Spanish if they wish to register for Intermediate Spanish
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
Once admitted to the programme, students choose, at the point of registration, whether to study a language and register for 10 credits in their chosen language. They must continue with this language throughout years two and three of the programme.
If students wishes to choose the language stream, they must meet the following language requirements;
Minimum of GCE A Level C in French if they wish to register for Intermediate French
Minimum of GCE A Level C in German if they wish to register for Intermediate German
Minimum of GCE A Level C in Spanish if they wish to register for Intermediate Spanish
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
Applications are welcomed from student who have studied at Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 in relevant areas. Such transfer students may be exempt from certain modules. Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
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.