Human Rights - Research

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is at the forefront of doctoral research on international law and human rights. The doctoral programme is unique not only because of the exceptional standard of research and level of publication but also because of the environment in which doctoral students work. A thriving research community exists at the Centre with around 25 doctoral candidates enrolled on the programme each year. Students from a range of academic backgrounds are engaged in research on a broad spectrum of issues related to international human rights law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law and international relations.



The purpose of structuring the doctoral programme is to provide the support and skills that students need to help achieve their academic and professional goals. The structured PhD is a formalized, integrated programme of education, training, research, personal and professional development activities. It enables the development of discipline-specific knowledge and research skills as well as generic transferable skills.



Supervision is by a principal supervisor who is responsible for providing guidance on the research carried out by the student and manages the student’s training. The student and supervisor are supported by a Graduate Research Committee (GRC). The GRC formally monitors student progress through an annual review process in line with national and international best practice.



The Structured PhD is available as a 4-year Full Time programme or a 6–year Part Time programme (360 ECTS).



Each student must obtain a total of 30 ECTS through structured modules having a taught or skills component, over the course of the PhD and the remaining 330 ECTS are awarded for the Dissertation.



New entrants will normally register for the programme in September of each year.



Optional Modules: Students select modules in consultation with their supervisor and/or Graduate Research Committee from the catalogue of PhD modules

To be eligible to enrol for the PhD, a candidate must have obtained a high honours standard at Master’s degree level, normally at least Second Class Honours, Grade 1 or equivalent international qualification.

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

PhD (Human Rights), full-time, 4 years.

PhD (Human Rights), part-time, 6 years.