Humanities & Social Sciences - Research

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest in DCU and hosts some of the most distinguished scholars, programmes, and centres across different disciplines. Our staff publish in leading international and national academic journals, with leading book publishers, and in diverse creative fora. We utilise this expertise to address important societal challenges through policy-focused research, engaging with government and civil society and bringing our research to a wider audience through the media. Staff in the Faculty are involved in leading externally funded research projects for the EU, the Irish Government, the Irish Research Council, NGOs and the charity sector. Finally and crucially, our students have access to leading experts in their chosen fields of study, strengthening the teaching and learning experience at DCU.



Guided by DCU’s new strategy philosophy of ‘Focus and Impact’, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will direct its attention to increasing the intensity of our peer-reviewed publications and the impact of our research. Our key strategic focus is to significantly grow our doctoral community, developing the next generation of research talent. We will ensure that DCU research is widely disseminated and publicised. To this end, we will implement a faculty-wide research support and communication programme. This will help us amplify our work in international academic debates and highlight the social and economic impacts of DCU research.



Taking these priority areas as a key enabler of its strategic vision, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will continue to foster a strong multi-purpose research culture that empowers staff and students to reach their full potential. The University's research culture recognises that, 'in general, the greatest impact is achieved from a critical mass of multidisciplinary researchers tackling an important research question', and this translates into practice in the Faculty's commitment to the pursuit of inter-, trans-, and multi-disciplinary research praxis. As a result, DCU's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is recognised internationally as a research-intensive and globally engaged faculty distinguished both by the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit.



Why undertake a research degree?

Undertaking a research degree, Ph.D or Masters, allows you to carry out an in-depth study of an issue that you have chosen in a discipline in which you already have a good academic grounding. While a PhD is normally a gateway to an academic career, completing a research degree will also enable you to develop skills in organising, presenting and project management that will stand to you in whatever career you pursue afterwards. Having a research degree marks you out as someone with both specialist knowledge in your discipline and the ability and commitment to manage and complete a demanding and challenging piece of academic research.



Students work together in a modern, purpose-built area, fostering a collegiate atmosphere. Academic supervision for each student is provided by a specialist or specialists in the appropriate discipline with whom students meet regularly. While postgraduate research is necessarily highly specialised, the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences provides a multidisciplinary environment for research. Students of all disciplines are trained in research methodologies at both Faculty and School level.

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.