Masters in Comparative European Politics
Overview--
(The Department will not be accepting applications for the this programme for entry in autumn 2012, but instead it is offering a Masters in Political Science that offers the same combination of a broad training in the main sub-fields of Political Science combined with a rigorous research training.)
The MSc in Comparative European Politics offers students an innovative combination of knowledge of politics in contemporary Europe and rigorous research training. This course examines policies, politics and public opinion in the European Union and its member states. The course also equips students with the research training required to conduct independent political research. Therefore, in addition to substantive modules on various aspects of comparative politics, including the governance of the European Union, the course also includes modules on research methods.
In addition to the international standing of Trinity College, there are three main reasons why students choose to study for an MSc in Comparative European Politics at Trinity:
First, students learn in small seminars: approximately twenty students, with a good mix of nationalities. The Department intends to keep this small size and diversity in the coming years.
Second, the Department is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research on European politics and the European Union. We strongly believe that students learn optimally when they study in close contact with lecturers and professors who are active researchers at the forefront of their subject areas. All national and international comparisons of research impact place Trinity’s Department of Political Science far above other Irish universities and on a par with the best political science departments in Europe and the rest of the world. For example, a recent comparative assessment of the research output and impact of political studies scholars in Ireland found the Department at the top of Irish universities and on par with the top universities in the United Kingdom. On top of this, a cross-national survey conducted by Professor Simon Hix at the London School of Economics placed the Department in the top three departments of the top 200 political science in the world, when the number of staff was taken into account. The Department also recently received a top European honour in the CHE Centre for Higher Education Development in Germany Excellence Ranking. Much of these honours are due to the Departments excellence in Comparative Politics, a central part of this M Sc course.We encourage students to examine the staff’s records in publishing international peer-reviewed research (see the staff members’ personal pages for details).
Third, the course prepares 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.
As noted above, this programme has been replaced by a Masters in Political Science. You may also be interested in the Masters in International Politics. In either case, we strongly advise that you read the page on frequently asked questions before contacting the course director.