Public and Social Policy

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Further Education
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

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Entry Points (2017)

316

Course Overview

The study of public policy is concerned with how the formal, stated decisions of government bodies are initiated, formulated and implemented, and how the policy process can be improved. Social policy relates to the role of the state in relation to the welfare of its citizens. This programme aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the sources of public and social policy, and the implications of that policy for social institutions, individuals and the political system. It draws on key elements of legal, social, political and economic theory, and provides students with an understanding of how legal, political and economic systems function. Students develop specialisations in their chosen policy areas, which include health, crime, family, environment, housing, human rights and social inclusion.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Grades in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

3 years

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades (2017)

BBB or equivalent combination

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY103

Course code

Course Outline

Year 1

Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Economics Coursework
Introduction to Research in Public and Social Policy
Irish Legal Systems
Law and Social Policy
Administrative Law I
Introduction to Politics and Sociology
Concepts and Practices in Politics and Sociology
Problems in Politics and Sociology
Public and Social Policy in Ireland

Year 2

Intermediate Microeconomics
Mathematics for Economics
Sociology of Law
Constitutional Law I
European Politics
Public Administration
Intermediate Macroeconomics
Economics of Public Policy
Constitutional Law II
Health Law and Policy
Social Issues and Policy Responses
Methods for Social and Political Scientists

Year 3

Topics in Microeconomics Theory
European Community Law I
Development and Change
Theories of the Policy Process
Public Economics
European Community Law II
Comparative Public Policy
Policy Seminar
Choice of modules in Economics, Law and Sociological and Political Studies

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Year 3 (60 Credits)

Further Education

This programme provides students with a foundation with which to pursue further study in the areas of law, economics, sociology, politics, journalism, community development, social work, teaching, human relations, business, and public and social policy. Graduates wishing to pursue a career in law may be admitted to the full law degree, the LLB, and are exempted from first year.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This degree provides an innovative and attractive educational foundation in the policy-making process and will open up career possibilities in central and local government, the EU, nongovernmental organisations and other bodies involved in the policy process. It also provides an excellent foundation for a career in public administration, industrial relations, journalism, social work, community work, management, administration, development agencies, banking and business, as well as research.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Some students have availed of Erasmus opportunities in universities in Malta, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,822 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Tuition

€2,598 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Non EU

€14,750 p.a. 2019/20

EU Fees 2018/19:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.
- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.
- Student Levy: €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.