History of Welfare & Medicine in Society

University College Dublin

Ireland, Dublin

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Home/Ireland/Dublin /University College Dublin/History of Welfare & Medicine in Society

University College Dublin

Ireland , Dublin

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Credit point

90 Points

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines25-Sep-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

EUR 22,600 / year

Next Intake 25-Sep-2026

History of Welfare & Medicine in Society

About

Medicine, illness and welfare occupy a central place in all our lives. The MA in the History of Welfare and Medicine in Society is designed to enable you to understand the place of medicine and welfare in society and history (c1750-1980) and engage with critical debates through various media including film, literature, and art, amongst others.This innovative MA programme considers themes such as eugenics; migration; institutionalisation and patients’ experiences, analysed through social, gender, class and post-colonial history.

How did culture and society respond to disease, health campaigns, new medical theories and innovations? Is there a relationship between medicine, welfare, ethnicity and identity?

How is medical and lay knowledge of sickness and therapeutics formed?

Can an understanding of these questions help in the development of current public health policy?

The MA provides a comprehensive understanding of historical methodologies and their potential application to current debates about disease and welfare.

The practical skills – project-management, writing with clarity and precision, and communication skills – garnered are essential for a range of careers including teaching, all forms of media, politics and academia.

The programme explores the main trends within welfare and medical history from social history, gender history, post-colonial history to individual experiences of poverty, and of illness throughout history. You will explore how medicine and welfare regimes and policies overlapped with culturally constructed conceptions of femininity and masculinity, and race and ethnicity.

The MA has a reputation for excellence taught by lecturers with international profiles.
Modules are taught through seminars. You will develop expertise in presenting, analytical thinking, effective communication, and writing with clarity and precision.
The dissertation, at the core of the MA, allows you to engage your own research-based interests.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A primary degree in an appropriate field such as a Bachelor of Arts, or in a cognate discipline such as medicine and nursing. You must supply details of any third level institutions you have attended and professional qualifications you have attained.
Excellent academic grades 2H1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA 3.2 NFQ Level 8. Transcripts will be required
You will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course
Two academic references from referees who are in a position to assess your intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.
Candidates whose first language is not English are normally expected to have achieved an overall 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent with no individual band lower than 6.
Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

English Program Requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Taught Master's: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes: A minimum overall score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Duolingo Test of English (DET)

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

Career

The MA qualification from School of History and Archives gives you a broad-based knowledge and expertise that will provide you with theoretical and practical skills you need for the long-term development of your career. You will be equipped to excel in numerous careers that value critical thinking, writing and time- and project-management skills. Since the establishment of the MA in 2007, Graduates of the Programme have entered a range of employment opportunities in:

Accountancy
Media
Law
Academia
Teaching
NGOs
Arts
Graduates of the programme have been very successful in securing funding to pursue PhDs in the field at Irish, British, and European institutions.