Communications - Research

The School of Communications has a long-standing record for excellence in research with staff engaged in national and international projects in the areas of media, communications and journalism. This cutting-edge research spans a range of (inter)disciplinary fields including (new) media studies, media history, journalism studies, science communication, political communication, digital media and internet studies, film and television studies, music industry studies, advertising, urban media studies and cultural studies.

To register for a Postgraduate Research programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic.

PhD: Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area.

PhD-track: Candidates with a taught Master's degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in the Academic Regulations, before being admitted to the PhD register.

Master's by Research: Candidates holding a primary degree equivalent to a second-class honours, grade two, may apply for entry on the research Master's register. Students on the Master's register may apply for transfer to the PhD Register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register.

English Language Requirements can be reviewed at:
https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english-language-requirements-non-native-speakers-english-registry

Applicants are assessed and ranked based on their performance at university, and the details provided on their application. Candidates may be called for interview and/or assessed on the basis of written work/proposed area of research.

How to Make an Application

To make an application, please use the application portal. Before making an application, please ensure you have all appropriate entry requirements and provide all supporting documentation.

DCU Student Application Portal

DCU Student Application Portal Access
DCU Student Application Portal Guide

Important Note:

Before making a research application, the applicant must consult and seek approval from the School regarding the proposed programme of study. Additional information for research applicants is also available on the DCU Graduate Studies page.

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes, e.g. Doctor of Psychotherapy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Elite Performance (Sport).

See the relevant Research section on School pages for more information.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.

DCA13 PhD - Communications (Part-Time)
DCA14 PhD - Communications (Full-Time)
DCA15 MA - Communications (Part-Time)
DCA16 MA - Communications (Full-Time)
DCA17 PhD-track - Communications (Part-Time)
DCA18 PhD-track - Communications (Full-Time)
DCA30 MPhil Communications (Full-Time)
DCA31 MPhil Communications (Part-Time)

Research

The School of Communications has a long-standing record for excellence in research with staff engaged in national and international projects in the areas of media, communications and journalism. This cutting-edge research spans a range of (inter)disciplinary fields including (new) media studies, media history, journalism studies, science communication, political communication, digital media and internet studies, film and television studies, music industry studies, advertising, urban media studies and cultural studies.

Our academic staff produce innovative peer-reviewed and internationally ranked research published as edited books, monographs, book chapters and articles in leading academic journals. The School is also actively involved in networks and initiatives supporting media and communications policy development in Ireland and internationally. We regularly collaborate in research projects with the business community and the non-governmental sector and frequently appear in national and global media.

This research output also benefits our current students in the classroom in keeping with our commitment to real world education in media, communications and journalism.

The School is currently home to over 40 postgraduate research students at both MA/MPhil and PhD levels.

The School hosts a number of research centres including the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo), the Media History Collection and Celsius, a science, technology, environment and medicine research group.