UCC Postgraduate courses

Sociology of Sustainability & Global Challenges

About This Course

Fact File

  • Title

    Sociology of Sustainability & Global Challenges

  • Code

    MASCG

  • College

    Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

  • Duration

    1 Year Full-time

  • Teaching Mode

    Full-time

  • Qualifications

    MA

  • EU Fees

    €6,130
    See Fees and Costs for full details.

  • Non-EU Fees

    €16,700

  • Entry Requirements

    See Requirements for full details.

  • Closing Date

    Open for EU applications, check rounds closing under How to Apply

  • Non-EU Closing Date

    30 June 2023

  • Start Date

    11 September 2023

Course Outline

Our innovative MA Sociology of Sustainability and Global Challenges analyses the globalisation of poverty and inequality and explores alternative strategies of development.

The MA Sociology of Development and Globalisation programme is divided into two parts and includes taught modules and a 20,000-word dissertation.

Part I

Compulsory Modules (30 credits)

  • SC6614 Sociological Methodology (10 credits)
  • SC6631 Sociology of Sustainable Development (10 credits)
  • SC6642 Social Theory and Climate Justice (10 credits)

Elective Modules (choose 20 credits)

  • SC6604 Sociology of the Mass Media (10 credits)
  • SC6638 Rethinking Borders: Sovereignty, Rights and Justice (10 credits)
  • SC6639 Feminist Epistemologies: Feminisms, Sexuality and Society (10 credits)
  • SC6640 Governmentality: Disciplines, Institutions and Critiques. (10 credits)
  • SC6643 Sociology of Science, Technology and Medicine (10 credits)
  • SC6644 Im/Mobilities: Forced Migration and Belonging (10 credits)

Part II

  • SC6615 Dissertation in Sociology (40 credits)

Postgraduate Certificate in the Sociology of Sustainability and Global Challenges

Candidates who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in the Sociology of Sustainability and Global Challenges.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Course Practicalities

In Semesters 1 and 2, you will have a mandatory two-hour graduate seminar on theory/methodology. Mandatory seminars are generally timetabled on Tuesday afternoons after 4 pm. The timetabling of optional seminars changes from year to year but most are scheduled between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Assessment

Assessment is conducted through the grading of five graduate module papers. The word limit for the Social Theory paper is 3,000. The word limit for all other papers including Methodology is 5,000. These marks are combined with the student’s grades on their final thesis (PART B) in order to determine an overall result.

Who teaches this course

In the most recent research quality review in UCC, the Department of Sociology was ranked among the top 15 percent of sociology departments in the UK and US for the quality of their research.

Our staff is recognised for their outstanding research and publications record. Five members of staff have been awarded UCC CACSSS Research Achievement Awards. Members of staff in Sociology are currently conducting research projects funded by the European Union, the Irish Research Council, and other research bodies.

Research from the Department of Sociology is regularly featured in the national and international media.

See our Department of Sociology and Criminology page for an overview of our teaching staff.

 

Why Choose This Course

The MA Sociology of Sustainability and Global Challenges course is aimed at people who are looking for professional growth and new career options.

This course prepares you for doctoral studies in the social sciences, or for employment in various sectors including:

  • media
  • civil service
  • education
  • social services
  • health care
  • public administration
  • NGOs

Skills and Careers Information

This course gives you the opportunity to develop a range of analytical and critical-thinking skills as part of a lively academic community. Throughout the year, the Department hosts distinguished visiting speakers. You will also get the opportunity to participate in a wide range of stimulating scholarly events and conferences hosted by the Department, including the prestigious Theory and Philosophy Summer School held each year in May in UCC.

Requirements

To apply for this course, you will have:·

  • A minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent honours degree in sociology, law, politics, psychology, history, applied social studies, anthropology, geography, economics, the study of religions, media studies, communication, government, public policy, development, environment and planning, criminology, European studies, women studies, early childhood studies, cultural studies, political studies, international relations or another subject relevant to the Sociology of Development and Globalisation
  • A relevant Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to a written expression of interest and/or interview acceptable to the Department of Sociology selection committee.
  • In exceptional circumstances, substantial professional experience in a relevant and related field of development may be accepted as compensating for the absence of an undergraduate degree to the required standard.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

English Language Requirements

Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €6,130.

The Non-EU fee for this course is €16,700.

Deposits 

If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.

EU student fee payment 

Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration in August and the second in January.

International student fee payment 

International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.

Questions? 

If you have any questions on fee payment email our Fees Office at fees@ucc.ie.

How Do I Apply

1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

  • For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
  • Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Additional Requirements 

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

  • 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.
  • Describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
  • Briefly describe a research proposal that may form the basis of your dissertation.
  • Submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.)

Early applications are encouraged for early decisions.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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