DCU is now offering its MA in International Relations on a part-time basis in response to interest by graduates who wish to combine the programme with their work. The course can now be pursued either on a full-time basis for one year, or on Friday afternoons and evenings over two years.

According to the programme Director, Dr John Doyle, this is in line with DCU's overall strategy to make its courses as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. "This flexible approach takes into account the lifestyle needs of its students, and allows them to maintain a momentum within their careers, while pursuing a postgraduate degree which is relevant for their professional development within those careers", he said.

The MA in International Relations is run jointly by the School of Communications and the DCU Business School. Since the programme was introduced in 1997 the demand has been particularly strong. It is one of the most highly-subscribed postgraduate programmes in the university and is particularly relevant to those involved in foreign affairs, voluntary bodies, national and multinational business, international institutions of governance, non governmental organisations and communications.

One particularly exciting and valuable aspect of the programme has been the extensive participation of high-profile guest-speakers which include Noel Dorr, Former Secretary of the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Former Ambassador to the United Nations, various ambassadors to Ireland, including the Israeli Ambassador, Mark Sofer and the late Yousef Allen of the Palestinian Authority, Dr Garret FigzGerald, Dr Martin Mansergh, Col. Colm Doyle, and Patty Abozalgo of Trocaire.

While there is a core of five mandatory modules covering the broad areas of International Relations, Development Studies, International Law and political economy, students have a range of twelve modules from which they select four as 'electives'. This provides students with a broad scope of choice which allows them to taper the degree to their own area of relevance These topics include ethnicity and nationalism, regional studies, US foreign policy, national security, international trade law and Irish foreign policy.

Graduates of this programme will have developed a critical perspective on a range of issues in contemporary world affairs and will have, as a result, a thorough theoretical understanding of the global forces which shape today's world. According to Dr Doyle, "Watching world trends and developments is as exciting and as stimulating for the academics who teach on the programme as it is for the students".

For further details:

Eilis O'Brien: 700 5217 or 087 2057125
Dr John Doyle: 700 8084