Business - Research

Students will benefit throughout the two years of thesis preparation and delivery from the international standard and academic knowledge of UCD Smurfit School professors who, in turn, guide students through an area that fits in with the school’s research agenda and expertise.

1.A comprehensive grounding in research methodology, via direct academic supervision and taught modules that are essential in honing students’ research skills and thinking.

2.In-depth insight into the essential quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques required for subsequent research activity.

3.Advanced exploration of students’ chosen research area via specially-dedicated modules.

How will I benefit?

All the necessary tools and expertise are made available to MPhil students to ensure that they receive the best possible preparation for their thesis, as well as a potential stepping-stone to more advanced-level research. Specifically,

1.Structured training through taught advanced modules and close supervision from senior faculty, enabling you to conduct specialist research that contributes to knowledge in business and management.

2.Integral membership of UCD Smurfit Business School's vibrant, globally-recognised (ranked 1st in Ireland and top 50 in Europe by the FT) research community.

3.Access to the latest business research through high-quality academic seminars, workshops, and high-profile visiting academics.

4.Research training in order to apply for a PhD, or enter employment in fields such as management, public policy or journalism.

Course Features

1.Structured curriculum – the course has been carefully designed to build up essential skills over the first year before then embarking upon guided advanced research activity in the second year.

2.Suitability for many profiles - this course is suitable for students coming directly from undergraduate studies or those in employment, but with an academic background in business or a related field of study.

3.Diverse student body – the MPhil is taken by a varied body of Irish and international students, making for an especially rich learning experience.

Curriculum
The Research Masters MPhil from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is a flexible course that enables students to use different models of education and research for different disciplines. The duration of this research based Masters is 18 months to 2 years full-time, or 2 to 4 years part-time.

Students at the College of Business are required to gain a minimum of 30 credits from attending taught modules which are chosen in consultation with his/her supervisor

There are three module sets:
Set 1 includes modules in research methods, philosophy of the social sciences and advanced methodology courses.

Set 2 includes discipline specific modules.

Set 3 includes modules in generic transferable skills. These modules will be taken over the period of study for the MPhil.

Note: Students whose native tongue is not English are strongly encouraged to avail of the English for Academic Studies programme offered by the Applied Language Centre, UCD and provides students with a focused learning experience through which they can improve their language proficiency.

A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) primary degree in Commerce or Business Studies, or in a subject closely related to the proposed area of study

An appropriate Master’s Degree (or equivalent) from a recognised higher education institution.

Please submit original/certified copy of your transcript along with your application

Applicants must also submit a 500-word research proposal outlining:

(1) Chosen topic
(2) Nature, scope and methodology of study
(3) Relevance or importance of the topic
(4) Preliminary literature review

Two references attesting to the applicant’s intellectual ability, maturity and motivation.

Original references are required. Please arrange for referees to post their references to the Centre For Doctoral Research, Smurfit School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin or e-mail directly to jane.omara@ucd.ie. If posted, the reference should be on headed notepaper of the referee's institution. If emailed, then the email must be sent from the referee's work email.

For non-native English speakers (except those whose primary degree/masters degree was taken in English), an English language qualification is required. Please submit original/certified copy of your English language qualification results along with your application

A Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score may be requested for some MPhil programmes.

Applications remain incomplete until the receipt of original references and must be received by relevant application deadlines (where applicable).

Admissions
Admission onto the UCD Smurfit School MPhil is subject to stringent entrance criteria, the submission of a proposal outlining your intended line of research, references and, where appropriate, proof of linguistic and academic ability.

Before submitting an application, potential candidates are encouraged to consult the subject area webpages for the Business School or those of the other UCD Colleges to identify a suitable supervisor(s). Potential candidates should contact them directly by email (attaching research proposal, CV, etc) to request if they would be interested in supervising them.

After securing supervision support, potential candidates can then submit an application and other materials using the on-line system.

The duration of this research-based Masters is 18 months to 2 years full-time, or 2 to 4 years part-time.

The MPhil from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School prepares graduates for a wide range of careers. Our recent graduates work in a variety of occupations including management, research, public policy and journalism. Others have gone on to pursue doctoral research studies.