Ethics

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally have an honours primary degree or equivalent (H2.2) but appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the University.

Interviews may be held.

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Months of entry

September

Course content

What does it mean to live ethically in a world transformed by artificial intelligence, ecological crisis, and globalised markets? Such questions are no longer the preserve of philosophers alone. They arise in boardrooms, in legislative chambers, in the design of algorithms, and in the everyday choices that shape our collective future.

The MA in Ethics at DCU is designed for those who take these questions seriously. Since 2010, it has welcomed people from every professional and educational background—from teaching, journalism, and social work to business, healthcare, charity work, and law. You don’t need prior knowledge of philosophy or ethics—just an open mind and a willingness to think critically about what is right, fair, and good.

It offers a rigorous engagement with foundational ethical theory while remaining firmly grounded in the practical dilemmas that define our time. Through your studies, you’ll engage with the great ethical traditions and apply them to the pressing issues of modern society. You’ll learn from experts across ethics, philosophy, and the humanities, gaining both intellectual insight and practical wisdom.

Lectures are held on Tuesday evenings (6pm–10pm) across two academic years, with additional Saturday sessions in the first year—a flexible structure designed to suit working professionals.

When you graduate, you’ll join a thriving Ethics Alumni Network—a community of professionals and thinkers dedicated to bringing ethical awareness and leadership to every sphere of life.