International Engineering - Computer Science - Research

The first step in the application process is to identify a general research area that you are interested in and a potential supervisor in MU and FZU; then contact a member of the department's staff that is specialising in that area. Note that applicants should only apply for the programme after they have secured agreement from a relevant member of staff to supervise their research. More information on research in the department can be found in the Research Interests section.



The PhD consists of 30 credits minimum / 90 credits maximum in taught modules.



15 credits must be in generic or transferable skills and

15 credits must be subject specific or specialist advanced modules.

270 credits minimum, / 330 credits maximum must be allocated to the research project and thesis.

Applicants will be considered based on academic merits as well as *English language proficiency:



Applicants are expected to hold an honours degree at 2:1 level or above (or international equivalent) in an appropriate subject.



IELTS 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each band



Evidence of your primary degree (not required from MIEC graduates)

- Academic transcripts (not required from MIEC graduates)

- A copy of your passport

- Proposed Thesis Title and Summary

- A personal statement

- An academic letter of recommendation

- A professional letter of recommendation

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application. See our Postgraduate Application Guide which will support you step by step through your application: View "How to apply" on course webpage (link above)



Please note: All research applicants should contact the respective department before applying to ensure their research proposal aligns with departmental interests and criteria.



We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

4 years Full-time,

Students will spend Year 1 and 4 in Maynooth University. The remaining years 2 & 3 will be spent in Fuzhou University.

Commences: September (or other agreed time).

On completing a PhD in Computer Science the graduate has a number of options open to them. They may continue to build a career as a researcher in academia, for example as a Post-Doctoral researcher, or in the technology industry. They will also be attractive as an educator in all facets of the Higher Education sector.



Other possibilities include working in scientific research administration or a high-tech start-up environment. The experience and discipline gained from completing a PhD in Computer Science also can open other avenues outside of Computer Science where these skills are in great demand.