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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Higher Diploma
5. Politics

Course Fact File

Code	HDAPO
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	HDip in Arts
NFQ Level	Level 8
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	9 September 2024

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Arts (Politics) is intended for those who already have a degree and who want to study politics intensively over one academic year full-time or two academic years part-time (by day).  This is a conversion course so you would not normally have studied politics to honours degree level previously.

It is aimed at graduates who may wish to be considered for a master’s course in politics subsequently (but do not have an honours degree in the relevant area) or who may want to add politics to their qualifications.

The Higher Diploma in Politics consists of modules to the value of 60 credits. You must take two classes that teach core research and analytical skills:

• PO2001 – Political Analysis (5 credits)
• PO3001 – Dissertation (10 credits)

You must also take 5 credits from each of the Department’s subject groups in second year (15 credits) and 5 credits from each of the Department’s subject groups in third year (15 credits). The remaining 15 credits can be taken from any of the second or third-year modules, subject to timetable constraints. This allows you considerable flexibility to build your diploma around your personal interests in politics. 

The list of available modules is a long one, but representative modules include:

• Issues in Irish Politics
• Ethics and Moral Psychology
• Violence and War
• Comparative European Politics
• Feminist Philosophy
• Politics in Northern Ireland
• Gender Perspectives on Politics
• Politics of an individual country (including China and the USA)
• International Relations
• Citizen Participation
• Global Governance
• Conflict and Conflict Resolution

If you are applying for this course to gain a teaching subject please consult with the Teaching Council subject Declaration form to view specific requirements for this subject.

If you are applying for this course for future eligibility into the Profession Master of Education, further information is available here.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Course Practicalities

While this course is available as both a full-time and part-time option, all classes take place during normal working hours. The amount of lectures you will attend in any given week will vary depending on the modules you choose, but might typically involve between ten and fifteen hours a week. You would be expected to spend around twice as much time reading and completing assignments.

Assessment

Students will participate in a wide range of challenging assessment methods over the course of the diploma. Core research and communication skills are developed through traditional methods such as reviews and essays but the focus of assessment has moved to creative techniques and you will design posters, write policy reports, make individual and group presentations, participate in negotiation simulation exercises designed around international institutions, write opinion editorials and complete funding applications. The varied assessment profile is designed to ensure that you acquire diverse skills during your degree

Who teaches this course?

The Higher Diploma in Politics is taught by staff members from three academic units; Government, History, and Philosophy.  Among others from History, Drs David Fitzgerald and Mervyn O’Driscoll offer expertise in International Relations, the EU and Terrorism, among others from Government Drs Andrew Cottey and Mary Murphy offer expertise in Global Governance, Northern Ireland and Conflict Resolution, and among others from Philosophy Drs Cara Nine and Vittorio Bufacchi offer expertise in Political Philosophy and Moral responsibility.

Why Choose This Course

The Higher Diploma in Politics at UCC is an interdisciplinary course taught jointly by staff from the Department of Government, School of History and School of Philosophy. The course staff are drawn from a broad range of specialist backgrounds and this contributes to a diverse and creative learning environment for our students.

Over the course of the diploma, you can participate in field trips to Irish and international political institutions, contribute to national policy analysis by making submissions to policy reviews, publish your own work in the student online journal Government and Politics Review and attend and speak at a wide range of conferences organised by staff across the course.

Skills and Careers Information

During your time on the Politics course, you develop a broad set of skills which you can apply in a variety of employment contexts. Varied teaching and assessment styles are used to ensure that you develop critical thinking abilities, hone your analytical capabilities and build effective communication skills, including both written and presentation elements.

In recent years, our Politics graduates have gone into a wide range of professions. They have become administrators; recruitment consultants; business analysts; campaign coordinators for charities, interest groups and political parties; policy analysts; and officials in international organisations, to name just some.

Requirements

It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4 year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject Politics intensively over one academic year.   The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

• Please detail your computing/technical/IT skills.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

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