Master in Digital Policy

University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, founded in 1854 and situated on a spacious campus south of Dublin. Renowned for its research-intensive culture, UCD hosts more than 35,000 students from over 150 countries and offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across arts, sciences, business, engineering, medicine and more. Its scale and international outlook make it an appealing destination for students seeking a research-led education in an energetic European capital region.

UCD’s academic strengths span traditional disciplines and cutting-edge fields, with robust research funding and industry partnerships that support innovation and practical learning. Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories, comprehensive libraries, student support services and a wide network of international exchanges. The university also emphasizes employability through career services, internships and active alumni engagement that help graduates transition into global careers.

Campus life at UCD balances academic intensity with extracurricular engagement, including sports, cultural societies and community involvement. Accommodation, transport and welfare services are geared to support international students arriving to Dublin. Prospective applicants should review program-specific entry requirements and available scholarships, consider English language criteria, and use the university’s international office resources to plan applications and arrival logistics.

The Master in Digital Policy at University College Dublin is a one-year program that introduces students to basic concepts and issues in digital policy. This Master's degree helps students develop a historical and critical understanding of digital objects and environments, and prepares them for careers in evaluating, implementing, and studying digital policy issues. The program takes a multi-disciplinary approach, covering topics such as platform capitalism, governance, and data infrastructures.

The curriculum includes courses like Data & Society, Digital Policy, and Media Law & Policy. Students also develop research skills through the Thesis and Research Theory and Practice modules. The program covers theoretical and methodological issues in digital policy, and includes hands-on components like Platform Governance, which help students gain practical experience.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Digital Policy Analysts, Technology Consultants, Information Managers, Public Policy Advisors, or Research Managers. They can work in various industries, including government, technology, and non-profit, and can be employed by organizations that need expertise in digital policy and governance.