Institution: DCU
Course duration: one year full-time, two years part-time
How long has the course been running? Since 1997
Why was it introduced?
"International relations is an increasingly growing area at postgraduate level in Europe," says course co-ordinator Dr John Doyle. "There was no similar offering in the Dublin area and nothing relating specifically to international relations on the island."
Entry requirements:
A good second-class honours degree or extensive relevant professional experience.
Who takes the course?
Half the class are recent college graduates, the rest are a mixture of international students and professionals working in development or international organisations and multinationals, diplomats and members of the Defence Forces.
Why do they do the course?
Mainly for career advancement or career change. "More recent graduates are looking to put something more concrete on their original degrees," Doyle says. "We find that employers are looking for flexible people with good analytical skills. This course gives them something to measure people by."
Course content:
Core modules include development, theory and practice; international political economy; international relations and politics; principles of public international law; and research in international relations.
A range of electives include Africa in crisis, Irish foreign policy, Latin America in the world order, Anglo-Irish relations, US foreign policy and the politics of an emerging Europe. Students must complete a dissertation by mid-August.
Cost: £2,600 per annum
Contact: Dr John Doyle, Tel: (01) 7008084 or e-mail: john.doyle@dcu.ie
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