History & Geography - Research

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.

DCA62 PhD History and Geography (Full-Time)
DCA63 PhD History and Geography (Part-Time)
DCA64 MA History and Geography (Full-Time)
DCA65 MA History and Geography (Part-Time)
DCA66 PhD-track History and Geography (Full-Time)
DCA67 PhD-track History and Geography (Part-Time)
DCA80 MPhil History and Geography (Full-Time)
DCA81 MPhil History and Geography (Part-Time)

Research and Innovation

Research and innovation are at the heart of the School's activities. As well as informing the teaching that the School provides in History and Geography to Arts and Education students, members of the school pursue an active research agenda. The primary focus of this research is the island of Ireland – its history and its geography – and members of the School have produced, and are engaged in the production of pioneering work on diverse aspects of medieval, early modern and modern Irish history, and the historical geography of the island in the early modern and modern era. As well as this, current research in geography focuses on the social geography of Ireland, regional geography internationally and on earth observation and biogeography. This is evidence not only of the extent of the School's research footprint, but also its commitment to inform and to shape understanding and policy in modern Ireland.

Opportunities for Engagement

Members of the School participate frequently in the public sphere and contribute to public debate and to policy formation. They participate in the national and international media and serve on state bodies such as the Irish Manuscripts Commission.

They serve prominently in an editorial capacity in the production of academic journals, and are strongly represented on the editorial boards of major journals in the spheres of History and Geography.

They have acted as assessors for the Irish Research Council, The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), the Leverhulme Foundation, and other award granting bodies.

International Engagement

The School of History and Geography encourages and promotes international engagement. Members of the School are engaged in international collaborations with colleagues in New York University, Queen's University Belfast, Lund University, Boston University, University of Antwerp, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen and others in various research projects and initiatives. They also speak regularly at international conferences and gatherings. The School has Erasmus links with Humboldt University in Germany, The University of Malta, Charles University Czech Republic, Université Rennes 2 France and Goldsmiths University of London.