Public Advocacy and Activism (MA/PDip)

NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent H2.2. GPA 3.0 or international qualification. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent if applicable. Students who do not meet the Honours degree requirement but have a Level 7 (Merit 2) degree may be admitted to the PDip course with the possibility of progressing to the MA if they receive a minimum of 60% in their course work during the year.

(Please visit this website for detail of any supporting documents that may be required when applying to this course.)

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria but have relevant work experience are encouraged to contact the programme director to discuss eligibility under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Such candidates may be invited to take a Qualifying Exam to ascertain their suitability for the programme.

In other circumstances, those with a lower degree grade, or who have relevant work experience, may be offered a place on the Postgraduate Diploma (with the possibility of transferring to the MA on achieving a 60% average in the taught modules).

Further information is available from the programme director.

Why choose this course?

This imaginative course provides an opportunity for experienced advocates for social change, as well as those interested in working in the area, to achieve a specialist qualification in their field of practice. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the programme brings together a group of students from diverse backgrounds but with shared interests and ambitions. Discussion-based classes allow students to engage with ideas and topics in a dynamic learning process that increases understanding and clarifies opinions. The programme includes an optional work placement, in which students gain the opportunity to put their developing skills into practice. In the first semester, students make short videos on advocacy topics of their choice. You will also have all the opportunities which come from studying at one of the world’s top universities, including access to a range of seminars and high-profile guest speakers.

Past visiting speakers have included practitioners and activists from organisations such as Comhlámh, Trócaire, UNOCHA, and the Migrant Rights Council of Ireland; campaigners including Sunny Jacobs and Peter Pringle; and filmmakers like Emily James, Risteard O'Domhnaill, and Dearbhla Glynn, who have made documentaries on topics of human rights and social concerns.

Career opportunities

Graduates have gone on to pursue a range of careers in lobbying, campaigning, advocacy, education and humanitarian roles in organisations such as the SOAR Foundation, PETA, UNOCHA, GOAL Ireland, ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services, Amnesty International (Irish section), Cancer Care West, COPE Galway and the National Advocacy Service, the National Youth Council of Ireland, Trócaire, and Spunout. Others have continued in higher education, with a number of PhDs completed or underway. It should be noted that while the MA is structured toward careers in the not-for-profit sector, many of the skills gained during the year, for example those in research methods, analysis, media and communications, are transferable to any sector.

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Dr Fiona Bateman
T: +353 91 495 918
E: fiona.bateman@universityofgalway.ie
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