Irish & Celtic - Research
Overview
In Irish and Celtic Studies you will be part of a vibrant research area that is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in the languages, literatures, histories, linguistics, visual cultures and cultural identities of Europe and beyond. Here you will work in a dynamic and forward-looking research group that engages in cutting-edge scholarship across all periods of the Irish language, both on an individual and collaborative basis. You will be able to develop your own research potential as part of a community of research students in Modern Languages that is driven by interdisciplinarity, collaboration and innovation in the advancement of knowledge.
Course structure
You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.
Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students. You will submit work to a panel of up to three academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.
To complete a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of approx. 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
A PhD Programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.
Entry requirements
Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Application dates
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Duration
A PhD Programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time.
Enrolment dates
Entry Year: 2024/25
Post Course Info
Career Prospects
Introduction
Doctoral graduates in Irish typically go on to hold posts in academia, government, business and in Irish language promotion. Recent graduates have taken up posts in the European Commission, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, University College Dublin, University College Cork, New York City University and the Department for Communities (formerly DCAL).
Research
Research information
Associated Research
Folklore
Historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and dialectology
Language and Identity
Lexicography
Medieval Irish language and literature
Modern Irish literary studies
Onomastics
We also have a strong record in supervising comparative and interdisciplinary theses across the humanities and involving other Schools in the University.