Key Info
Bachelor of Arts Global Politics
This degree equips students with the essential knowledge and critical skills needed to understand Irish, EU and global political systems, globalisation, international relations and global development. Complementary subjects such as history, geography, sociology and optional language studies broaden understanding further. Opportunities like a semester of Erasmus/Exchange and work placement are also core components of the programme. Graduates will be poised for careers in the public sector and private organisations in a variety of positions including policy-related roles, communications and political advising. With the knowledge and skills they have acquired, graduates will be ready to make significant contributions to the global society.
About you
Global Politics at University of Limerick is all about thinking critically and understanding how the world works. If you are interested in national or international current affairs; if you find yourself asking questions about why things are the way they are and how they might change; then Global Politics at UL could be for you.
Why study BA in Global Politics?
In today’s globalised world, politics must be understood from the broadest possible perspective. Our staff have a particularly wide breadth of expertise across the discipline, and the BA Global Politics programme at UL stands out for the wide range of subject areas covered. As well as gaining a thorough understanding of Irish and EU politics, students will learn about the wider international system and will have the opportunity to study the politics of different world regions. The deeper philosophical questions about how societies and governments should be organised are also addressed.
In the final year, students have the opportunity to specialise in areas of politics that they are particularly interested in.
What you will study
The subjects available on the BA Students will study the foundations of global politics and will then look at the areas of Irish, European and regional politics through the lens of comparative politics and political theory. They will also look at the areas of international political economy, development and conflict studies, key concepts such as gender, multiculturalism and nationalism and the problems associated with contemporary capitalism. They will also go on Erasmus and on Co-op placement, where they will have the potential opportunity to work for international organisations.
First year
In their first year students will study two modules on the introduction to politics and international relations, two modules on the introduction to public administration, one module on global politics and one module on Irish politics. They will then have the option of taking introductory modules in history, sociology and geography.
Second year
In their second year, students will study international relations, development, comparative politics, political theory, global political economy, comparative public policy, government and politics of the EU, capitalism and society justice and two modules on research and methods in global politics.
Third year
Co-Op (semester one) and Erasmus (semester two)
Fourth year
Students will take a selection of electives that will include studying international organisation, issues
in world politics, foreign policy, regions across the world, nationalism, multiculturalism, environmental politics, terrorism, Ireland and Europe and policy studies within the EU. They will also write a final year project on their choice
Career opportunities
This degree will interest anyone who wishes to go into public service (particularly within politics), work in international organisations, the media, and in any area of policy.
Career titles might include Political Analyst, Parliamentary Assistant, Diplomat, Journalist, Executive Officer, and Campaign Officer.
Follow-on study
What you will study
Year 1
|
Year 1 Autumn |
Year 1 Spring |
|
4 Core Modules |
4 Core Modules |
|
PO4051 – Introduction to Politics and International Relations I PO4013 – Government and Politics of Ireland PA4001 – Introduction to Public Administration 1 HP4001 – Preparing for Academic Success |
PO4052 – Introduction to Politics and International Relations II PO4122 – Global Politics (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) PA4022 – Introduction to Public Administration II CU4013 - Preparation for External Study and Work Placement |
|
1 Elective Module |
1 Elective Module |
|
SO4001 – Introduction to Sociology GY4001 – Introduction to Human Geography HI4071 – Doing History: Past, Present and Practice |
SO4032 – Introduction to Sociology 2 GY4012 – Migration, Mobility, and Place HI4142 – Game of Thrones: Gender, Power and Identity, Ireland and the Wider World, 1500-1950 |
Year 2
|
Year 2 Autumn |
Year 2 Spring |
Year 2 Summer |
|
5 Core Modules |
5 Core Modules |
Coop |
|
PO4018 – International Relations PO4023 – Comparative European Politics PA4003 – Issues and Concepts in Development PO4033 – Political Theory PO4103 – Researching Politics (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) |
PA4047 – Comparative Public Policy PO4004 – Global Political Economy PO4015 – Government and Politics of the EU PO4102 – Methods and Research in Political Science PO4104 – Capitalism and Social Justice (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) |
CO4230 – Cooperative Education 1 |
Year 3
|
Year 3 Autumn |
Year 3 Spring |
|
Coop |
Erasmus |
|
CO4310 – Cooperative Education 2 |
IP4320 – Academic Exchange 2 |
Year 4
|
Year 4 Autumn |
Year 4 Spring |
|
|
2 Core Modules |
2 Core Modules |
|
|
PO4027 – International Organizations and Global Governance PO4147 – Politics and International Relations Final Year Project 1 |
PO4048 – Issues in World Politics PO4148 – Politics and International Relations Final Year Project 2 |
|
|
3 Elective Modules |
3 Elective Modules |
|
|
PO4032 – Russian Politics PO4067 – Studies in Political Thought PO4107 – Nationalism, Ethnicity and Conflict PO4117 – Policy-making in the European Union PA4023 – Leadership for the 21st Century PA4037 – Public Administration and Social Justice PA4007 – Careers and Influence in Public Leadership: Ministers and Civil Servants |
PO4088 – Introduction to Terrorism and Violent Political Extremism PO4108 – Multiculturalism and Political Theory PA4008 – Public Policy and the Environment PO4118 – Ireland and EU Membership PO4128 – Comparative Politics of Non-Democracy (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) PO4158 – Foreign Policy (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) |
|
Year 1
| Year 1 Autumn | Year 1 Spring |
| 4 Core Modules | 4 Core Modules |
PO4051 – Introduction to Politics and International Relations I PO4013 – Government and Politics of Ireland PA4001 – Introduction to Public Administration 1 HP4001 – Preparing for Academic Success | PO4052 – Introduction to Politics and International Relations II PO4122 – Global Politics (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) PA4022 – Introduction to Public Administration II CU4013 - Preparation for External Study and Work Placement |
| 1 Language Elective Module | 1 Language Elective Module |
| French, Spanish, German, or Japanese | French, Spanish, German, or Japanese |
Year 2
| Year 2 Autumn | Year 2 Spring | Year 2 Summer | |
| 1 Core Module | 1 Core Module | Coop | |
| PO4103 – Researching Politics (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) | PO4102 – Methods and Research in Political Science | ||
1 Language Elective Module French, Spanish, German, or Japanese | 1 Language Elective Module French, Spanish, German, or Japanese | ||
3 Non-language Elective Modules PO4018 – International Relations PO4023 – Comparative European Politics PA4003 – Issues and Concepts in Development PO4033 – Political Theory | 3 Non-language Elective Modules PA4047 – Comparative Public Policy PO4004 – Global Political Economy PO4015 – Government and Politics of the EU PO4104 – Capitalism and Social Justice (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) | ||
Year 3
| Year 3 Autumn | Year 3 Spring |
| Coop | Erasmus |
| CO4310 – Cooperative Education 2 | IP4320 – Academic Exchange 2 |
Year 4
| Year 4 Autumn | Year 4 Spring |
| 2 Core Modules | 2 Core Modules |
PO4027 – International Organizations and Global Governance PO4147 – Politics and International Relations Final Year Project 1 | PO4048 – Issues in World Politics PO4148 – Politics and International Relations Final Year Project 2 |
| 1 Language Elective Module | 1 Language Elective Module |
| French, Spanish, German, or Japanese | French, Spanish, German, or Japanese |
| 2 Non-language Elective Modules | 2 Non-language Elective Module |
PO4032 – Russian Politics PO4067 – Studies in Political Thought PO4107 – Nationalism, Ethnicity and Conflict PO4117 – Policy-making in the European Union PA4023 – Leadership for the 21st Century PA4037 – Public Administration and Social Justice PA4007 – Careers and Influence in Public Leadership: Ministers and Civil Servants | PO4088 – Introduction to Terrorism and Violent Political Extremism PO4108 – Multiculturalism and Political Theory PA4008 – Public Policy and the Environment PO4118 – Ireland and EU Membership PO4128 – Comparative Politics of Non-Democracy (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) PO4158 – Foreign Policy (EXCLUSIVE MODULE) |
Entry requirements
| Minimum grades |
Minimum requirements: 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 Note: Students wishing to study a language (French, German, Spanish, or Japanese) will be required to have at least grade H3 in that language. |
|---|---|
| Additional considerations |
Mature Students Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €5,660 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €16,798 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €102 |
| Total | €16,900 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €102. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 years' duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Civic Engagement Scholarship | €1500 | 1 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships | €5,000 | 2 |
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |