MSc Frequently Asked Questions
Before Applying
- What Masters programmes are on offer for the 2013–2014 academic year?
- Where can I find the online system to submit a formal application to the MSc Programmes?
- Can I pursue these MSc programmes on a part-time basis?
- Can I continue in paid employment while taking a full-time MSc degree programme?
- Can I pursue the Trinity MSc programmes in Politics and Public Policy or International Politics through distance learning?
- When is the deadline for M Sc applications for the September 2013 entry?
- What sort of qualifications do I need to be admitted to the M Sc programmes?
- I have never studied Political Science and have only studied French/ Philosophy/Business. Will I be admitted?
- How competitive is admission to Trinity’s MSc programmes in International Politics and in Politics and Public Policy?
- Are there any guidelines for the writing sample to be submitted with an application?
- Are there any guidelines for the motivation letter to be submitted with an application?
- When supplying references, do they have to be from academic referees?
- Is there anything extra that former Trinity students should submit with their application?
- I am (for example) a Swiss student, and will not receive my formal certificate of graduation from my undergraduate degree until late September. How can I submit my documentation to obtain a firm offer of a place on the M.Sc. programme?
- What are the English language requirements for the students who do not speak English as their first language?
- What other expenses, above and beyond fees, should I expect as a student living in Dublin?
After Submitting an Application
- How and when will I hear the results of my application?
- Why has no decision been reached on my application?
- I have been made an "unconditional offer" - what happens now?
- I have been made a "conditional offer" - what happens now?
- I have an offer of a place from another MSc programme and I need an early decision from Trinity. What can I do?
- Can I have feedback on my application?
- I have been admitted to the MSc programme and would like to make plans for travel/the summer. When does the programme begin?
- What kind of career does the course prepare MSc students for?
- What modules will be taught in the MSc programmes in the next academic year?
- Are there any opportunities to work as a Teaching Assistant in Trinity's Political Science Department while participating in the MSc programmes?
Before Applying: Answers
What Masters programmes are on offer for the 2013–2014 academic year?
The Department will offer the M.Sc. in International Politics and the M.Sc. in Politics and Public Policy in the 2013–14 academic year.
Where can I find the online system to submit a formal application to the MSc Programmes?
To apply online for the MSc in Politics and Public Policy, please go to: http://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply For the MSc in International Politics please go to: http://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply We recommend that you look at the Admissions Requirements pages: MSc Politics and Public Policy and MSc International Politics before beginning your online application.
Can I pursue these MSc programmes on a part-time basis?
Either MSc can be taken on a part-time basis by taking the coursework over two years. The dissertation will be submitted at the end of the second year. Fees are 70 per cent of the regular annual fee for each year. Note that courses meet during normal working hours (e.g. morning and afternoon seminars) and that the department will only be able to give final guidance about course meeting times a few weeks before the start of each term, for example early September for Michaelmas term. Note also that there is a substantial commitment to reading and other work outside the class and it may not be realistic to apply for a part-time MSc option while continuing with significant work requirements.
Can I continue in paid employment while taking a full-time MSc degree programme?
The full-time MSc programmes in the Political Science department are demanding and require a full-time commitment if students are to get the best out of their education experience. They are not compatible with continuing with paid employment, or any similarly demanding non-academic obligations, even part-time. If you wish to continue with paid employment during your postgraduate studies, you may wish to consider the part-time option instead.
Can I pursue the Trinity MSc programmes in Politics and Public Policy or International Politics through distance learning?
Students must expect to be resident in Dublin throughout the one-year taught M Sc programmes at Trinity and attend all taught classes and another other relevant events.
When is the deadline for M Sc applications for the September 2013 entry?
The application deadline for both M.Sc. programmes is 1st June 2013.
Applications are considered on a rolling admissions basis until the deadline of 1st June 2013 and applicants are advised to apply early. Please note that any late offers are dependent on sufficient places remaining available in the programme.
What sort of qualifications do I need to be admitted to the M Sc programmes?
Candidates should have an undergraduate degree from an established college or university. A background in a social science will be an advantage but not a necessity. Applicants are expected from candidates with a single or joint honours degree in Political Science, Economics, European Studies, History, Sociology, Business and Law. Other subject areas will also be considered. Students must also fulfill the College entry requirements and international students must also fulfill the international student requirements.
Candidates should normally have achieved an upper second class honour degree, or higher from an established university. GPA scores of at least 3.3 out of 4, or equivalent, will be expected from international applicants. Students whose qualifications do not meet these standards may still choose to apply and the department will then consider whether such applications demonstrate sufficient preparation for the postgraduate study of Political Science to merit admission. However, the department cannot enter into a discussion of individual circumstances or qualifications in advance of a formal application being made.
There is no flexibility on the language requirement. Students who do not fulfill the minimum language requirements will not be considered.
I have never studied Political Science and have only studied French/ Philosophy/Business. Will I be admitted?
We welcome applications from students with a wide range of backgrounds. No prior study of Political Science is necessary.
How competitive is admission to Trinity’s MSc programmes in International Politics and in Politics and Public Policy?
You are encouraged to apply early as competition for places is intense. It would be wise to apply as soon as possible as there is a rolling admission procedure and a limited number of places in the programme.
Are there any guidelines for the writing sample to be submitted with an application?
The writing sample can be a paper written for a previous course, or a chapter from an undergraduate thesis if you are writing one. The committee would expect it to be somewhere between 12 and 20 pages long. A sample of academic or research-related writing - an essay or term paper, for example - is much preferred, but where the applicant cannot provide a sample of academic writing, we will consider other writing samples.
Are there any guidelines for the motivation letter to be submitted with an application?
There is no required length for the motivation letter. A single page would suffice.
When supplying references, do they have to be from academic referees?
Academic references are preferable, but where these are not available professional references are acceptable also.
Is there anything extra that former Trinity students should submit with their application?
We would request that all former Trinity students include in their applications a full transcript of their grades for all modules taken throughout their current or previous TCD degrees.
I am (for example) a Swiss student, and will not receive my formal certificate of graduation from my undergraduate degree until late September. How can I submit my documentation to obtain a firm offer of a place on the M.Sc. programme?
For the rare case where degree certificates from the relevant academic year will not be available until September, if you are sure that you have passed your degree requirements, please send us whatever documentation you have (including, if possible, grades from spring 2013 courses), explain the situation, and we will ask the Graduate Studies Office to make you a firm offer on this basis. (Note that if you do not subsequently provide a degree certificate in the Michaelmas Tern, you will be obliged to withdraw from the M.Sc. programme.) All other applicants who are graduating from their undergraduate degree in the summer, and can obtain a full degree certificate before the end of August, should submit their certificate in order to obtain a firm offer of a place.
What are the English language requirements for the students who do not speak English as their first language?
Regarding English language requirements, the programme follows the standardised requirements set by the Graduate Studies Office and specified on their website. In summary, in order to be considered for this programme, the applicant who has not been educated through the medium of English will need to present a minimum of the listed score on one of the following exams:
- IELTS: Grade 6.5
- TOEFL: 88 - iBT, 230 - Computer based, 570 - paper based
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C
There is no flexibility on the language requirements. Students who do not fulfill the minimum language requirements will not be considered. In exceptional circumstances, language scores can be submitted after submission of the rest of the application. Applicants who are submitting the scores later should state this in their application.
What other expenses, above and beyond fees, should I expect as a student living in Dublin?
The International Office as Trinity College has created an estimate of living expenses for students living in Dublin. Please visit the International Admissions desk for details.
Of course, the cost of living will vary depending on the student's lifestyle and living standards.
After Submitting an Application: Answers
If you have been accepted to the programme and you cannot accept your spot in the specified time?
Please contact the the respective programme director, Dr Tim Hicks or Dr. William Phelan.
Why has no decision been reached on my application?
A decision is only made on an application after ALL materials have been received, including letters of recommendation, writing samples etc. When all materials are received, your application will be considered together with other applications which are completed at the same time and a decision given.
I have an offer of a place from another MSc programme and I need an early decision from Trinity. What can I do?
Contact the respective programme director, Dr Tim Hicks (M.Sc. in Politics and Public Policy) or Dr. William Phelan (M.Sc. International Politics), with details of your other offer and we will make an early decision.
I have been made an "unconditional offer" – what happens now?
Congratulations! You have two weeks to accept the offer and if you choose to do so, you must then make a non-refundable deposit of €500 to reserve your place in the MSc programme. If you do not make a deposit, you may lose your place. We look forward to seeing you in September!
I have been made a "conditional offer" – what happens now?
Congratulations! You will need to submit your missing documentation - for example your final grade transcript for your undergraduate degree - as soon as you receive it and then Trinity will formally issue you with an unconditional offer, and you will be able to make a deposit to reserve your place.
I have been admitted to the MSc programme and would like to make plans for travel/the summer. When does the programme begin?
Registration for postgraduate students will take place in September 2013 with postgraduate orientation later the same week - further information will be available from the Graduate Studies Office website. Orientation for the MSc Programmes will take place the following week and teaching is expected to begin on Monday 23 September 2013. If you have been accepted into the course, you will receive a welcome letter with further details. If by any chance you have not done so, please email the department on polsci@tcd.ie to receive a copy. We look forward to seeing you in September.
Can I have feedback on my application?
We regret that we cannot offer feedback on unsuccessful MSc applications.
What kind of career does the course prepare MSc students for?
Both MSc courses prepare students for a range of careers dealing with European and global issues. This includes students who wish to pursue careers in the public and private sectors, in European Union institutions, non-governmental organizations and the media. The course is also suitable for students who wish to progress to doctoral research. The page of graduate testimonials shows you the experiences of some of our graduates since they completed their masters, and you can also view a complete list of graduates from the masters programmes.
What modules will be taught in the MSc programmes in the next academic year?
The M.Sc. course programmes always including training in research design and quantitative methods, while the topics covered by other modules varies from year to year. The MSc in Political Science in recent years has offered modules on party politics, government institutions, legislative politics, and many aspects of European integration, while the modules offered by the MSc in International Politics have included topics such as international relations theory, international conflict, international human rights, American foreign policy, and democratization.
Are there any opportunities to work as a Teaching Assistant in Trinity's Political Science Department while participating in the MSc programmes?
It is possible there are opportunities for MSc students to work as a Teaching Assistant in the Political Science Department. Please note your interest in your cover letter. This opportunity may be especially relevant to applicants who have previously been undergraduate students at Trinity.