Candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8?primary degree to be accepted onto the MA, but it is possible to be accepted onto the Postgraduate Diploma with a lower academic qualification, and then transition to the MA (within the same academic year) if a student achieves a 60% grade average in the taught modules (which comprise a total of 60 ECTS). (The Postgraduate Diploma is the MA programme without the 30 ECT minor dissertation).

How to apply
We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.

Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.

Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").

Next start date September 2026

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

The MA is designed for those interested in working in local or international advocacy and activism, including areas such as:

Community organizations
Development
Labour
Human rights
Health and environment
Education
Politics
A number of roles would be suitable for graduates, whether in research advocacy, campaigning and lobbying, academia, communications, or activism. Given the diversity of our students’ backgrounds and their interests, it is unsurprising that our graduates have taken many different paths, but, in general, our graduates aspire to be working in organisations that share their concerns and values.

A diverse range of careers and occupations

Depending on their interests and motivations, some have sought employment in the not-for-profit sector, working with large organisations such as Amnesty International, SOAR, Trócaire, GOAL, PLAN International, UNOCHA, and PETA, and others with smaller local and community-based organisations, working in areas such as housing, mental health, Traveller rights, animal rights, social care, gender equality, and education.

Some graduates work with in local politics; two of our graduates were recently elected to the Irish national parliament (the Dáil). Our students have been prominent in campaigns in Ireland, including the City of Sanctuary (and University of Sanctuary), Fossil Free, Marriage Equality, and Repeal. One of our first graduates runs an organic farm; another is an award-winning poet, whose poetry draws on her activism, and interrogates a wide range of social issues. A recent graduate is working with Active*Consent, a growing movement that was developed from research carried out on this campus regarding education and sexual consent.