Programme details

​​Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a minimum 2.1 (upper-second class) Honours Bachelor’s degree from an Irish university or its international equivalent in a relevant subject.

Relevant subjects include but are not limited to the following: Languages, Literature, History, Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Human Geography, Sociology, Religious Studies, Gender Studies, Textual and Visual Studies, Visual Arts, Art History, and Political Science. 

​Application process

​Applications are normally open from November until June and you may apply at any point. Places are limited, and for that reason, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible. The deadline for applications is 30 June. 

Application documents​

For this programme, you will need to submit the following materials to apply.

If your certificates and transcripts are not in English, and are not issued by Trinity, please obtain an official translation into English and upload both the translation and the original to the system. 

​1.  Sample of Academic Writing

As part of your application, you also need to submit a sample of no more than 2,500 words (excluding bibliography) of your best academic writing in English. 

​When we assess your application, we will pay particular attention to your ability to: 

• ​Build and present a logical, cohesive argument. 

• ​Analyse and evaluate the arguments of others. 

• ​Adhere to the norms of academic writing (referencing, quotation, avoiding plagiarism* and other forms of academic misconduct, and bibliography). 

• ​Use academic English. 

​We make use of Turnitin and other software to check for plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct in the samples submitted. An application may be rejected if samples of work submitted are found to include instances of such misconduct. 

​2. Degree Certificate(s)

You will need to provide degree certificates (in PDF format) that prove you have completed all of the degrees you mention in your application. If you haven’t yet completed your degree, you can still apply and supply these documents when you have them.

​3. Degree Transcripts

You will need to provide official transcripts (in PDF format) showing all of the components you have completed as part of your degree(s). 

​4. Two Reference Letters

You will need to provide reference letters (in English) from two referees familiar with your academic work who can provide references explaining why you would be a strong candidate for the course. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact their referees and inform them of their intention of applying for this programme.

Referees listed by the applicant on Trinity's online application system will automatically receive an electronic reference request, providing them with a Trinity reference template and a link to upload their references.

​English language requirements

​All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this programme are required to meet Band C (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

For more details of qualifications that meet Band C, consult Trinity's English Language Requirements webpage. 

How to apply

​​In order to apply for this course, you will need to complete the online application form and submit the following materials as part of your application.

Personal Statement Form 

​The Personal Statement Form (linked below) is an important part of our assessment process. It is your opportunity to state your reasons for applying to this programme and how they match what the programme delivers.

Sample of Academic Writing  

​As part of your application, you also need to submit a sample of no more than 2,500 words (including foot/endnotes but excluding bibliography) of your best academic writing in English. 

When we assess your application, we will pay particular attention to: 

• ​your ability to build and present a logical, cohesive argument; 

• ​your ability to analyse and evaluate the arguments of others; 

• ​your ability to adhere to the norms of academic writing (referencing, quotation, avoiding plagiarism* and other forms of academic misconduct, and bibliography); 

• ​your command of academic English. 

We make use of Turnitin and other software to check for plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct in the samples submitted. An application may be rejected if samples of work submitted are found to include instances of such misconduct. 

​English Language Qualifications 

​Unless you have completed a degree through the medium of English or are a native speaker, you are required to prove your proficiency with the English language. Trinity prefers IELTS, but will accept alternative tests run by international organisations. A minimum of 6.5 in each IELTS category or its equivalent is required. 

​Degree Certificate(s)

​You will need to provide degree certificates (in PDF format) that prove you have completed all of the degrees you mention in your application. If you haven’t yet completed your degree, you can still apply and supply these documents when you have them. 

​Degree Transcripts

​You will need to provide official transcripts (in PDF format) showing all of the components you have completed as part of your degree(s). 

​Two Reference Letters 

​You will need to provide reference letters (on letterheaded paper) from two referees who can provide references written in English, explaining why you would be a strong candidate for the course.  

​It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact their referees and inform them of their intention of applying for this programme.  

​Referees listed by the applicant on Trinity’s online application system will automatically receive an electronic reference request, providing them with a Trinity reference template and a link to upload their references. 

​Online Application Form

​Once you have all of these materials (use the checklist below to ensure you have completed all the required documents) and fill out the online application form in full, not forgetting to upload all the requested materials as attachments. 

Please note that you must specify the category of each attachment you upload (for example, when uploading an official transcript, you need to specify that the attachment is an “Official Transcript”). Otherwise your application may be deemed incomplete.