Trinity College Dublin

School Description:

The School has a variety of research activities spanning a diverse range of areas. The School is prominently associated with seven research groups in the College: the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, the Global Brain Health Institute, TRiSS (Trinity Research in Social Science), the Centre for Global Health, the Research Centre for Psychological Health and the Centre for Innovative Human Systems. The School is well equipped with a student computer laboratory, multi-media facilities, EEG and behavioural neuroscience laboratories, video-observation suites and sound attenuated experimental testing suites and fMRI analysis capability. There are excellent contacts with hospitals and medical services. Members of the School receive significant research funding from national and international sources.


Our Postgraduate Programme develops high calibre psychologists who advance psychological science and practice. Leading international experts provide excellent training in research methodology and foster academic excellence in a range of research areas on our M.Sc. and structured Ph.D. programmes. The School encourages active participation in national and international collaborations, and attracts many visiting academics and international graduate students.


Students following the School's postgraduate programme by research are engaged in research spanning the wide range of expertise in the School. Further information about the research being conducted by individual members of staff in the School is available on the School website: http://psychology.tcd.ie/research/Research-people.php


Postgraduate Research Degrees

All students undertaking a research degree are assigned to a single principal supervisor. The supervisor's role is essentially that of an academic guide and mentor.


If you plan to carry out your degree by research, you are advised to contact the appropriate School with your research proposal and arrange a suitable supervisor before submitting your application. You should initially consult the School website for further information.


Research students are placed either directly on the Ph.D. register or on the Masters register. Research students on the Masters register may then transfer to the Ph.D. register if their progress has been satisfactory. Such transfers usually occur during the second year of full-time study.


The School will consider applications for postgraduate research across the wide area of its expertise. However, intending applicants must have supervision arrangements in place, agreed by an academic member of staff in the School of Psychology before submitting an application. Postgraduate research students are expected to attend the School's research seminars, which take place on a regular basis during the teaching terms. Each postgraduate is expected to present a research proposal at an appropriate early point in the development of their ideas. Research students are encouraged to participate in formal and informal academic development exercises.


The School runs an annual appraisal system for all postgraduate research students aimed at facilitating and monitoring their progress throughout the course of their research. Two independent members of staff are assigned as the student's appraisal committee at the beginning of their studies. As part of this system each student is required to present a progress report to their appraisal committee every year.