Philosophy - Research

Prospective students are encouraged to contact possible supervisors to discuss PhD projects before application. See our faculty pages for the areas of research expertise.



UCD Philosophy runs a structured PhD programme of typically four years of full-time study. In their first year, doctoral candidates are required to successfully complete three graduate modules, up to two of which may be taken at Trinity College. After this, they complete a dissertation of approximately 80,000 words under the guidance of a doctoral panel. The panel is made up of the primary supervisor with whom the student works most closely, and two other members of staff.



There is also the option to finish earlier by writing an MLitt dissertation, which is half the length and does not have such stringent requirements of originality.



We have significant placement success with our PhD graduates, some of whom now work in Philosophy departments across Europe, the United States and China.



Please contact gillian.johnston@ucd.ie before making any applications.



Recognising the PhD as a professional training for academia, UCD Philosophy supports its graduate researchers in several ways:



Candidates are encouraged to take part in the numerous professional conferences and workshops held at the university and to travel to others abroad in their research areas;



Candidates are facilitated in running conferences and workshops of their own, as well as organising and participating in reading groups/research seminars;

Importantly, all doctoral candidates have the opportunity to gain valuable teaching experience by tutoring undergraduate courses (and are of course remunerated accordingly). Some opportunities to give occasional lectures may be provided to advanced candidates.

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:



PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.



GSBL50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research Autumn 7.5

LAW50030 Advanced Research in Law Autumn 5

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn 10

PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn 10

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn 10

PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL40920 Guided Reading Spring 7.5

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring 10

PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring 10

PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring 10



Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:



PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.



GSBL50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research Autumn 7.5

LAW50030 Advanced Research in Law Autumn 5

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn 10

PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn 10

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn 10

PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring 10

PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring 10

PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring 10

4/6 years, FT/PT, On Campus.

W141 Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W142 Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W141 Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research



W142 Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research