Nursing Psychotherapy & Community Health - 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.

DCD14 PhD - Nursing & Human Sciences (Full-Time)
DCD15 PhD - Nursing & Human Sciences (Part-Time)
DCD16 Master of Science - Nursing & Human Sciences (Full-Time)
DCD17 Master of Science - Nursing & Human Sciences (Part-Time)
DCD18 PhD-track - Nursing & Human Sciences (Part-Time)
DCD19 PhD-track - Nursing & Human Sciences (Full-Time)

The School of Nursing and Human Sciences is to the fore in developing the practitioners, partners and policy makers of tomorrow. With health policy and health care topping the agenda at home and abroad, our research community focuses on a big picture of health and well-being – body and mind, lifecycle and lifestyle, choices and decisions, young and old, whole population and vulnerable groups.

Against a backdrop of ageing societies, rising expectations, proliferating technologies and tightening budgets, we are rethinking health and care with an evidence-based, research-led approach. Combining scientific and social scientific inquiry, we are creating a richer, fuller picture of health and well-being. We focus on what makes people unwell and what may help them to be as well as they can. Our research emphasises autonomy, quality of life and quality of care for the individual; and a sustainable, cost effective response from society to all, especially the most vulnerable.

We are developing best practice – and the best people – in Nursing, Health and Society, Psychology and Psychotherapy. The School has a high national and international impact in funding, publications and attracting post-graduates and post-doctoral researchers. You can read about our 10 priority research themes in the Interests and Expertise section.

Interests and Expertise

Living Well With Illness, Disability and Technology
Cognitive and Behavioural Neurosciences
Child Health
Health Systems Research
Translational Biomedical Sciences
Transforming Dialogues in Mental Health and Psychotherapy
Dementia and Positive Ageing
Ethical Issues in Healthcare
Nutrition and Exercise
Society, Health and Sexuality