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Welcome
Welcome to the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), the oldest and the largest school of politics in the Republic of Ireland.
Our graduate programmes cover traditional areas of political science such as comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, as well as specialized and/or multi-disciplinary subjects such as European public affairs, human rights, international development, gender, political economy, and nationalism and ethnic conflict. Regardless of which programme you have chosen, we work hard to offer an academic environment that allows you to ensure that your time in SPIRe is both intellectually challenging and professionally valuable.
Please find below the Masters and Graduate Diploma handbook which contains important information regarding your degree. If you have questions that neither this handbook nor the school website can answer, please do not hesitate to ask for help from one of the contacts listed.
Professor Ben Tonra, MRIA
Chair, Graduate Studies Committee
UCD School of Politics and International Relations
Quick Links
Key Dates
Your Path to Degree Completion
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15 August 2025
Module registration starts. UCD Key Dates
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8 September 2025
Autumn teaching term starts. SPIRe Orientation will take place this week. (Date TBC)1-5 September: University Orientation Week (To be updated)
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Around 19 September 2025
Module registration closes.
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October / November
Internship Information Session
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End of October 2025
Deadline for applying for leave of absence / withdrawal from modules or programmes.Refer to the FAQ section
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(4 December 2025)
(Graduation ceremony for the class of 2024-25)
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28 November 2025
Autumn teaching term ends.
Final assessment deadlines for Autumn modules are typically the end of November to mid-December. -
Mid-January 2026
Submission deadline for thesis proposal
Note: All students, including those opting for the internship option, must complete this form. Supervisor allocations will be announced in early February.Submission form and further details -
Mid-January to Early February
Module registration reopens for changes to Spring option modules.
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19 January 2026
Spring teaching term starts
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9-22 March 2026
Fieldwork / Mid-term break (No lectures)
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End of March 2026
Deadline for applying for leave of absence / withdrawal from modules
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Toward the end of April
The internship agreement, signed by your host organisation, must be submitted. Students who are unable to secure a placement must notify the school to switch to thesis-writing.
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24 April 2026
Spring teaching term ends.
Final assessment deadlines for Spring modules are typically the end of April to mid-May. -
Mid-August 2026
Thesis submission deadlineThesis Information
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Toward the end of August
Deadline for the submission of the Internship Host Evaluation and Final Reflective Essay.
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Toward the end of September
Final grade results releaseAssessment Key Dates
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Early December 2026
Graduation ceremony for the class of 2025-26
(Note: The ceremony is organised by the confering unit. Refer to the link below.)Conferring Schedule