Why is the Black Lives Matter movement so necessary and, for many, so threatening? How can Europeans disavow migrants from their own former colonies who seek refuge on their shores? What is intersectional activism? What is necessary to cultivate veritable solidarity across differences? How can we imagine, think and act beyond the constraints of the western, state-centred status quo?
Well over 100 years ago W.E.B. DuBois warned that the colour-line would constitute the defining issue of the 20th century. The 21st is already noteworthy for the deepening impunity of state and everyday violence towards 鈥榤inorities鈥� of all persuasions. It is also increasingly characterised by large scale political surges to the extreme right, which have been empowered by mass incitement to hatred through the vilification of migrants. Why and how has 鈥榬ace鈥� played so central a role in these conditions and the extraordinary acts of resistance engaged to transform them? Why does a chronic lack of public knowledge concerning the social, political and economic histories fostering them continue to undermine effective collective action and positive change?
This unique programme examines the global historical legacies and entanglements of colonialism, imperialism and neoliberalism as they underpin these and other contemporary injustices exacted upon the vulnerable, the precarious, the stigmatised. In the tradition of black feminist, critical race and decolonial perspectives, the theories and practices of scholars, cultural workers and activists of colour and other 鈥榦thers鈥� constitute central components of its pedagogy.
Careers & Employability
There are exciting opportunities for students in a wide and dynamic range of professions including careers in: Media and Public Relations途 Policy Analysis and Service Provision途 Social, Community and Youth Development途 Politics and Civil Society途 and in Cultural and Creative Industries.
Past Graduates have taken the following career and development destinations:
The have worked with Irish Organisations such as:
And International Organisations which include:
A large number of our Graduates continue through to PhD level. Some professions require further training, qualifications or certification.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
BELFIELD,
Dublin,
Republic of Ireland
Applicants should normally have a primary degree in sociology or social science, or a closely related discipline.
A Second Class Honours Grade One (2:1) or higher is required but Second Class Honours Grade Two (2:2) standard or equivalent may be considered. Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements but can confirm professional qualifications and/or experience will be considered. Applicants may be called for an interview.
All candidates are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of a certificate of proficiency (such as TOEFL, Cambridge or IELTS). Test results must be less than two years old.
IELTS: An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University:
A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +; a minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.
Cambridge Examinations: English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 176+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English)
Acceptable Examinations:
Pearson English Language Text: Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item of both skills profiles.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.
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