Law & Government - Research

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.

How to Make an Application

To make an application, please use the application portal. Before making an application, please ensure you have all appropriate entry requirements and provide all supporting documentation.

DCU Student Application Portal

DCU Student Application Portal Access
DCU Student Application Portal Guide

Important Note:

Before making a research application, the applicant must consult and seek approval from the School regarding the proposed programme of study. Additional information for research applicants is also available on the DCU Graduate Studies page.

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes, e.g. Doctor of Psychotherapy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Elite Performance (Sport).

See the relevant Research section on School pages for more information.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.

DCA19 PhD - Law & Government (Full-Time)
DCA20 PhD - Law & Government (Part-Time)
DCA21 Masters - Law & Government (Full-Time)
DCA22 Masters - Law & Government (Part-Time)
DCA23 PhD-track - Law & Government (Part-Time)
DCA24 PhD-track - Law & Government (Full-Time)
DCA36 MPhil Law & Government (Full-Time)
DCA37 MPhil Law & Government (Part-Time)
DCA74 Master of Laws (LLM) (Full-Time)
DCA75 Master of Laws (LLM) (Part-Time)

As well as educating students for careers in law, policy-making, public management and related areas, our faculty is engaged in cutting-edge research on national and international legal issues, and local, national and global political challenges. Our wide-ranging expertise is reflected in the extent of our publications. The School works closely with government agencies, industry and professional bodies, and civil society organisations, providing research and policy expertise to inform their decision-making.

With law, government and the reform of both now central concerns in developed and developing countries, we are ideally placed and often asked to provide expert advice on framing policy and law, delivery and performance in government, and broadening and deepening the engagement between citizen and state. We contribute frequently to national debates on legal, political and policy issues, and the voices and faces of some of our people are well known on radio and television.