Interested individuals are encouraged to make an informal approach to the Department to discuss their proposal and establish an initial fit between their interests and the Department's research priorities and expertise. Formally, an applicant wishing to undertake a research degree should submit a research proposal in writing of 3,000–4,000 words and consult with the Department on the general suitability of the research topic, and on the availability of an appropriate supervisor.
The research proposal should provide the following information:
- Introduction to the central research topic that the student proposes to investigate
- Reference to the key debates and issues relevant to the research
- An indication the body of literature that the research will analyse; the main data that will be collected and/or analysed and the methods that will be used
- An outline of the potential significance of the proposed research for the field under investigation
PhD
While the final thesis of some 80,000 words is the only form of assessment for the award of the PhD, students may not submit it for examination without having accumulated a minimum of 30 and maximum of 90 taught credits as agreed with their Supervisor and Department.
Social Studies - Applied - Research
Entry requirements
Minimum 2.1 in undergraduate degree. Entry also subject to Departmental approval of application and proposal Departmental ability to provide supervision
Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.
Minimum English language requirements:
• IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
• TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
• TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
• PTE (Pearson): 62
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
Duration
MHB02 PhD 4 years Full-time
MHB03 PhD 6 years Part-time
MHB04 MLitt by Research 2 years Full-time
MHB05 MLitt by Research 3 years Part-time
Careers or further progression
Graduates including doctoral graduates of the Department of Applied Social Studies have pursued a range of careers in community and youth work, public administration, NGOs, academic institutions and research/advisory bodies / careers in social policy consulting and teaching.
Further enquiries
Programme Co-ordinator Joe Larragy
Tel +353 (0)1 708 3743
Fax +353 (0)1 708 3744
Email appliedsocialstudies@mu.ie / joe.larragy@mu.ie
Website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/adult-and-community-education
Address Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Application date
All applications should be made through the PAC system.
Research areas
Research interests of staff in the Department of Applied Social Studies span the following areas:
- Equality and human rights, and more specifically race, racism, ethnicity, Traveller culture, intercultural studies, women's studies, age and ageism
- Youth affairs, youth work and the sociology of youth, policy in respect of children
- Community development and community work, education and training for the social professions
- Criminal justice policy, juvenile justice
- Irish, comparative, and European social policy
- Social policy and older people
- Linking poverty, social inclusion and equality
- Social partnership, civil society, the 'third sector' and public policy
For details on the research specialisms within the Department please visit: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/adult-and-community-education/our-rese...
Course fee
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.
Enrolment and start dates
Commences September annually (or other agreed time)
Remember to mention gradireland when contacting institutions!
Comment
Since its inception in 1981, the Department has earned an unrivalled reputation for its education and training with graduates occupying positions at all levels in community organisations, youth projects, social justice, equality and human rights initiatives, local national and international NGOs, local and national authorities and institutions.