Social Work - Research

The school is now accepting applications for its PhD programmes across its three constituent subject areas - Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. Our Programmes form part of the UCD Structured PhD programme. Our expert faculty all conduct research in their own fields and welcome expressions of interest from prospective students wishing to study in areas including, but not limited to, those in the list below.



Applicants should contact a member of faculty whose research interests match their own. General expressions of interest should go to School Manager Ciara Darker ciara.darker@ucd.ie



UCD’s PhD programme has been designed to not only provide first class supervision in relation to a student’s own research, but also to support that research through access to a broad range of taught modules covering both general research methods training and specific subjects



Please refer to this webpage for our academic staff research interests and application process at https://www.ucd.ie/socialpolicyworkjustice/study/graduateprogrammes/phdsocialpolicysocialworkandsocialjustice/

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. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. 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.



SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn 10

SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring 10

SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research 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.



SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn 10

SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring 10

SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research Spring 10

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

PhD Social Work (W367) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 6325

nonEU fee per year - € 12180


PhD Social Work (W368) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 4180

nonEU fee per year - € 8155


***Fees are subject to change

W367 Social Work Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W368 Social Work Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing January 2026 Graduate Research



W367 PhD Social Work Doctor of Philosophy Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research



W368 Social Work Doctor of Philosophy Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Research