Trinity’s Department of Economics has partnered with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to launch a new master’s degree in economic policy.
The MSc, which is designed for people in the public sector “who do not have a strong background in economics”, will begin in January 2022.
The programme is a part-time, two-year course covering “key practical areas” including regulation and banking, environment and climate change and taxation and welfare.
There will be 30 places on the course. Applications are now open.
In a press statement, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said: “I’m delighted that the Economics Department at Trinity and the ESRI have come together to deliver a new MSc in Economic Policy.”
“It will be a great programme and a fantastic opportunity for both students and professionals to study how economic policy is developed, to understand the constraints around it, and also to understand all that it can deliver”, Donohoe said.
Prof Eleanor Denny, a Trinity professor of economics who will serve as the programme director, added: “Over the last decade the public sector in Ireland has embarked on a process of modernisation and reform and this programme is designed to meet the skills requirements of the modern Irish public service, facilitating students to engage with national and international economics research with relevance for Irish policy formation.”
The ESRI produces politically independent research to inform public policy-making in Ireland. In a press statement, the institute’s director Prof Alan Barrett said: “For many years, Trinity and the ESRI have had close connections, so we are delighted to be jointly offering this masters programme.”
He added: “Given the strong research profile of both institutions, this will be a very interesting and worthwhile collaboration and we look forward to welcoming students in January 2022.”
Earlier this year, University Council approved a postgraduate diploma in engineering for climate action as well as a postgraduate certificate in sustainable development for business.
At the time, a Trinity media relations officer Thomas Deane said that the diploma will target “those in industry who have a specific responsibility for responding to climate action initiatives within their employment context”.
