Admission Requirements & How to Apply

Admission Requirements

We welcome outstanding and motivated graduates from a wide range of disciplinary, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Applicants are encouraged to propose research topics in areas where the department’s expertise is strongest, such as: Comparative European politics; European Union politics and policy; European law; Irish politics and public policy; Electoral systems and political parties (including extreme right parties); Public opinion and electoral behaviour; The politics of international law and international organisations; Political theory.

The Department also invites applications from students whose research develops innovative quantitative methods, such as the quantitative analysis of political texts, as this is another strong area of research among staff.

Applicants should hold a strong master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science or a closely related field. Admission is highly competitive, and preference is given to candidates whose proposed research aligns with the department’s areas of expertise.

All applicants must meet:

• Trinity College Dublin’s general postgraduate entry requirements.
• International applicant entry requirements, where applicable.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must fulfil the College Postgraduate English language requirements

Application Procedure

Applicants are required to indicate their proposed field of research when applying. Before submitting an application, you are encouraged to review the Research Themes and the Staff Profiles pages to identify potential supervisors.

Preliminary contact with staff is welcome, but faculty are best able to respond to emails that include a CV and short research proposal (1–2 pages), including reference to relevant literature.. Please note that the department can only accept students whose topics fall within its areas of supervisory expertise.

All applications must be submitted through the Trinity Direct Application Portal. Supporting documents must be provided in English, or accompanied by an official English translation.

You will need to upload:

• Official academic transcript(s)
  (Unofficial or partial transcripts are accepted initially; final transcripts are required for an unconditional offer.)
• Copy of degree certificate(s)
• Two letters of recommendation
  (Referees receive an automatic email request once your application is submitted. Academic references are preferred, but professional references are also accepted.)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Writing sample
  (A paper or thesis chapter of 12–20 pages is preferred; other research or professional writing samples may be accepted.)
• Valid English language test results, if applicable

Applications open: November
Deadline for submission: End of July

Applications are considered on a rolling basis from November to June or until the course is full. Programmes will only run subject to sufficient enrolment.

What Happens Next?

Once your application is complete:

• It will be reviewed by the Department of Political Science.
• A recommendation will be made to Trinity’s Academic Registry.
• You will receive an update through the application portal.
• If offered a place, you will have three weeks to accept and pay a deposit.

Fees

For the most up-to-date information on fees, please visit the Trinity Fees and Payments page.

Further Information

Many common queries are answered on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

For other enquiries, please contact:

Course Administrator: 
Email: polgrad@tcd.ie

Course Director: Professor Peter Stone
Email: pstone@tcd.ie

Questions about the online application portal or fees should be directed to Academic Registry.
Email: academic.registry@tcd.ie