Media Studies - Research

Students are provided with a flexible and tailored structured research programme within the Centre for Media Studies, including the development of transferable research skills, specialist knowledge and professional practices. Upon completion of this programme, students will have achieved competence in relevant areas of research, and demonstrated specialist knowledge and skills in their own area of research as well as in knowledge transfer and effective academic communication. This programme will equip them with the professional skills necessary to pursue academic and research careers.



An applicant wishing to undertake a research degree should submit a research proposal in writing, and consult with the Centre on the general suitability of the research topic and on the availability of an appropriate supervisor before submitting an application.



Students will be required to take all Generic Skills modules for PhD students in the Faculty of Arts offered by NUIM’s Graduate School (GSA1, GSA2 and GSA3). A range of other modules, in the form of MA in Radio and Television Production modules, research seminar presentations, conference presentations, language school participation and summer school participation will also be offered. Some of these modules may not be available every year, and students will be advised by their supervisor on which modules will be the most appropriate for them, and at what stage of their PhD studies. Appropriate modules offered by other departments/schools within NUIM will be regarded as Transferable Skills Modules and students will be encouraged to take any such modules that their supervisor deems helpful and appropriate.



Student must take a minimum of 30 credits in taught modules (15 in generic/transferable modules and 15 in subject/specialist modules) and not exceed 90 credits in taught modules over the duration of their Structured PhD programme.

Media Studies is an extremely interdisciplinary subject, and we welcome applications from candidates from a variety of other disciplinary backgrounds. Applicants should hold a BA (2:1 or higher) in Media Studies or another cognate discipline from the Humanities or Social Sciences. An MA in Media Studies or another cognate discipline from the Humanities or Social Sciences is strongly preferred. Applicants without an MA will be required to register initially as MLitt students, transferring to the PhD register on approval after a period of study. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.



Minimum English language requirements:

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

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, 5 years Part-time.

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.

Commences

A PhD in Media Studies can be commenced in September or January of each academic year.

A PhD in the Centre for Media Studies provides the opportunity for an academic career teaching and researching in Media Studies, Digital Media and associated disciplines. It also provides an excellent platform (depending on precise specialisation) for a career in policy and research development or within the varied media industries themselves.

The research interests of the Centre concentrate on the cultural history of popular culture and the sociological and textual analysis of broadcasting and new media. The Centre is currently engaged in funded research projects examining migrant media networks, broadcasting and cultural diversity in Ireland, and a study of Irish media coverage of the war on Iraq. Faculty have research interests in media and migration/diaspora/transnationalism, theories of mediation, Irish and Irish-American popular culture, material culture, cultural policy, digital media policy, political economy of media and 'new media', Internet studies and the commercial internet, and cinema history in Ireland.