Theology Philosophy & Music - Research

The priority of the School is to prepare students for their future professional careers, in support of which academic staff engage in world-class research in their respective disciplines. The wide-ranging expertise of staff is most evident in the extensive range of our publications with leading publishing houses and in international peer-reviewed journals. The research activity of the School also includes original composition.

There are three Research Centres associated with the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music as follows:

The Institute of Ethics

The Institute aims to create ethical awareness in relation to all fields of the university's activities and to play a leading role in raising public awareness of, and stimulating debate about, ethical issues. The Institute promotes a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to applied ethics in various fields including business, technology, politics, media, healthcare, and the life sciences.

The Centre for Interreligious Dialogue

The Centre for Interreligious Dialogue (CIRD) is an academic centre committed to the study and practice of interreligious dialogue. The Centre seeks to promote research, teaching, and public engagement in the area of interreligious dialogue in Ireland and beyond, particularly in relation to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and the religious-secular dialogue today.

The Centre for Music Research and Creative Practice

The Centre for Music Research and Creative Practice (MRCP) is a centre for knowledge exchange with public bodies and wider cultural organisations, in addition to engaging audiences and communities of practice across a variety of music genres. It engages with policy and practice on national infrastructure for the arts, music development within society, popular music experience and the processes and practice of composition and practice-based 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.

DCA68 PhD Theology and Philosophy (Full-Time)
DCA69 PhD Theology and Philosophy (Part-Time)
DCA70 MA Theology and Philosophy (Full-Time)
DCA71 MA Theology and Philosophy (Part-Time)
DCA72 PhD-track Theology and Philosophy (Full-Time)
DCA73 PhD-track Theology and Philosophy (Part-Time)
DCA78 MPhil Theology Philosophy & Music (Full-Time)
DCA79 MPhil Theology Philosophy & Music (Part-Time)
DCG01 PhD Doctor of Philosophy (Full-Time)

Research

School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music.

The priority of the School is to prepare students for their future professional careers, in support of which academic staff engage in world-class research in their respective disciplines. The wide-ranging expertise of staff is most evident in the extensive range of our publications with leading publishing houses and in international peer-reviewed journals. The research activity of the School also includes original composition. For more information on the research of our staff, please click on Research Interests and Expertise.

There are two Research Centres associated with the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music as follows:

The Institute of Ethics

The Institute aims to create ethical awareness in relation to all fields of the university´s activities and to play a leading role in raising public awareness of, and stimulating debate about, ethical issues. The Institute promotes a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to applied ethics in various fields including business, technology, politics, media, healthcare, and the life sciences.

The Centre for Interreligious Dialogue

The Centre for Interreligious Dialogue (CIRD) is an academic centre committed to the study and practice of interreligious dialogue. The Centre seeks to promote research, teaching, and public engagement in the area of interreligious dialogue in Ireland and beyond, particularly in relation to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and the religious-secular dialogue today.