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.

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.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

A PhD Programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time.

Entry Year: 2024/25

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 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.