Key Info

Bachelor of Arts Global Politics

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO points history
New course for 2025 entry
Course code
LM030
Duration
4 years
Subject area
Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Director
Dr.Owen Worth
Email
Owen.Worth@ul.ie
Tel
+353-61-202635
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

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

CO4230 – Cooperative Education 1

 

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

Additional considerations

Minimum requirements: 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7

English: O6/H7

2nd language: O6/H7

Maths: F6/O6/H7

Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation mathematics is not reckonable for scoring purposes.

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

These scholarships are available for all courses