The MLitt Programme extends over a minimum of two years. In the first year (commencing September) students must register full-time and follow the programme of the MA in Economics or the MA in Finance. Once the MA Programme is successfully completed at honours level, the student develops a course of study which combines taught courses, reading courses and research under the guidance of his/her supervisory committee. At the end of the second year the student must present his/her thesis. Should the quality of the thesis meet the PhD standard, a grade of at least 60% in the programme, the student will be invited to continue in the PhD programme.
In the first year (commencing September) students must register full-time and follow the programme of the MA in Economics or the MA in Finance. Once the MA programme is successfully completed at honours level, the student develops a course of study which combines taught courses, potentially drawn from those listed below, reading courses and research under the guidance of his/her supervisory committee. At the end of the second year the student must present his/her thesis.
The PhD programmes in Economics and/or Finance at Maynooth University are built on the foundation developed in the MA programmes. While the MA programmes provide the basic skills and technical knowledge base via taught courses and a directed thesis, the PhD programme builds on this to further students' skills and knowledge to enable them to do world class research.
The four year programme of study includes, in the first and possibly subsequent years, reading courses, taught courses, general skills seminars and independent research, while the second, third and the fourth years of the programme are dedicated primarily to general skills development and independent research. To remain at good progress the PhD candidate must write and present an original piece of research in each year of the programme, and this research must meet the approval of his/her committee.
Students who do not perform at the level required by the PhD programme during their studies may be eligible for an MLitt degree with a satisfactory MLitt thesis.
Part-Time Option
The PhD programme may be either on a part-time or on a full-time basis. Prospective candidates should, however, bear in mind that part-time PhD programme applicants are not eligible for scholarship funding.
The department tailors the programme for the needs of the individual student depending on the student's background. If the student has not gone through the MA programme in Economics/Finance or MSc in Economics and Financial Risk Analysis in Maynooth University, often (but not always) the student may have to follow one of our taught MA/MSc programmes in the first year of the PhD programme. Please see the following link for information on our taught MA/MSc programmes:
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics-finance-and-accounting
Comment
The Department is strongly committed to the provision of high quality teaching programmes at postgraduate level. We place a high premium on quality teaching and personal contact with our students, ensuring that the students' experience at Maynooth University is both enjoyable and productive. Members of the Department publish in leading international journals and have strong links with industry and the business community, US multinationals, the Central Bank, hedge funds and fund management companies.