Set yourself apart with the only degree in Ireland integrating Economics, Politics and Law in one degree programme

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Politics and Law (EPL) at Dublin City University (DCU) is a unique, interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the three key pillars that shape modern societies: economics, political science, and law. This full-time, three-year undergraduate degree equips students with analytical, legal, and policy-oriented skills that are highly relevant in both public and private sectors, nationally and internationally.

Whether your career ambitions lie in government, business, international relations, policymaking, or legal advocacy, this program gives you the foundation to understand and influence real-world decision-making in a complex and interconnected world.

Why Choose This Program?

Interdisciplinary Learning: Combines three powerful disciplines into one coherent and integrated degree.

Contemporary Focus: Explore pressing global issues such as climate policy, financial crises, international conflict, global justice, regulation, and digital governance.

Critical Thinking: Encourages the development of informed perspectives on society, power, and law.

Versatile Skills: Gain knowledge and transferable skills that can be applied across a wide variety of professions.

Preparation for Postgraduate Study: Ideal foundation for graduate programs in law, politics, economics, public policy, or international relations.

Programme Structure

The BA in Economics, Politics and Law is structured across three years, with core and elective modules from each discipline. Students have flexibility to tailor their degree based on interests and career goals.

Year 1 – Foundations

• Introduction to Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
• Introduction to Law and Legal Systems
• Foundations of Political Science
• Irish and EU Institutions
• Legal Skills and Research

Year 2 – Applied Knowledge

• Intermediate Economics
• Constitutional and EU Law
• Comparative Politics
• Public Policy Analysis
• Legal Reasoning
• Electives (e.g., Environmental Law, International Relations)

Year 3 – Specialisation and Integration

• Advanced Political and Economic Theory
• International Law
• Policy, Regulation, and Governance
• Dissertation or Capstone Project
• Electives in Law, Political Science, and Economics
• Optional internship or international study (Erasmus)

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the EPL program will be able to:

• Analyse complex political, economic, and legal systems and their interdependencies.
• Evaluate public policies and legal frameworks using analytical and critical thinking.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of how economic and political theory inform governance and law.
• Communicate ideas effectively through research, written work, and debate.
• Apply interdisciplinary approaches to solve real-world challenges.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are highly employable across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Public Sector & Civil Service (Policy Analysis, Foreign Affairs, Public Administration)
• Legal and Regulatory Bodies (Regulatory Affairs, Legal Consultancy)
• International Organisations (UN, EU, NGOs, Development Agencies)
• Business and Finance (Economic Consulting, Market Regulation, Risk Analysis)
• Media and Political Advocacy (Political Journalism, Campaign Strategy)
• Graduate Entry into Law (LLB or Professional Legal Training)
• Postgraduate Studies (LLM, MA in Politics, MSc in Economics, etc.)

Why Study at DCU?

• Ireland’s Leading Young University, recognised globally for innovation and impact
• Strong Academic Reputation in Law, Economics, and Political Science
• Research-Led Teaching with expert faculty and access to policy-focused research centres
• Modern Campus Experience with state-of-the-art facilities, support services, and student engagement
• Dublin Advantage: DCU’s location offers direct access to Ireland’s political institutions, international businesses, and legal networks

*Special Note for Non-EU Students*

Undergraduate Non-EU students at DCU benefit from a €2,000 scholarship in their first year. In addition, merit-based scholarships are available for high-performing students in subsequent years, making a world-class education more accessible and affordable.