Course Structure

The MSc in Economic Policy Studies (EPS) two-year programme consists of both a taught and a research element. Modules are taught over three ten-week terms. The first term takes place from late September to December and the second from January to April in Year 1. Lectures/Classes take place on Friday mornings and afternoons and on some Saturday mornings during that period. Students undertake four modules (data analysis, modeling and research methods; understanding markets; Irish economic policy issues and context; and macroeconomic and international context) and are formally examined in these subjects in May of Year 1. The third teaching term takes place from late September to December in Year 2 and in this time two specialist courses are provided, Economic Evaluation: Theory, Techniques and Applications and Competition and Regulation Policy. Lectures/classes take place on Friday mornings and afternoons during that period. Students are examined in these subjects in January of Year 2. The remainder of Year 2 is devoted to the completion of a dissertation.

Dissertation

A major feature of the programme is the dissertation undertaken in Year 2. The dissertation should normally be related to a topic covered in one of the aforementioned specialist courses. Students work solely on their dissertations from January of Year 2 until the submission deadline in early July. The length of the dissertation should be between 10,000 and 15,000 words. Students are assigned a dissertation supervisor to guide them in their research. Examples of the wide range of topics addressed by previous students can be found in the former students section.