The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is offered through a structured programme of rigorous training in research and offers students an opportunity to undertake a focused and critical examination of a particular topic with the aim of contributing to the development of knowledge in their field.
The UCD structured PhD programme:
•recognises that the essential elements of the PhD remain research, generation and dissemination of new knowledge, and progression of the candidate towards academic autonomy
•provides the context for a deep intellectual engagement with a topic, so that the student will develop the intellectual skills and related critical capacities for academic research and related scholarly activities
•facilitates submission of final thesis in either monograph style or in an article-based format (PhD by publication)
The UCD structured PhD degree may be completed on a full or a part-time basis. A full-time PhD will normally involve a registration period of not less than 9 trimesters (three years) and not more than 12 trimesters (four years). For part-time students, the period of registration is not less than 15 trimesters (five years) and not more than 18 trimesters (six years). Each student is assigned at least one academic supervisor and his/her training programme is supported by a research studies panel.
Entrants to the PhD programme are required to undertake 30 credits of taught modules which are based on each student's needs to support their research and from September 2019 all students commencing a research degree are required to complete a Research Integrity Training programme.
The UCD structured PhD programme is pursued in two stages. Stage 1 doctoral studies must be completed by a full-time student within five trimesters from the date of registration and by a part-time student within seven trimesters from the date of registration.
a) Stage 1 is an initial period of advanced education, training and research.
b) Stage 2 is largely dedicated to original doctoral research but may also include advanced education and research and generic training.
Comment
Normally a proposal should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words and may include the following:
•A working title of the topic area:
•General overview of area: brief abstract of the general area of study and identify the discipline(s) within which it falls. You might also refer to the way in which your own background gives you competences in your chosen area.
•Identification of the relevant literature: demonstrate that you are aware of the debates and issues raised in relevant bodies of literature and demonstrate that your proposed area has not been studied before, so you need to identify your niche which will lead on to the thesis preparation.
•Key research questions: Since you need to demonstrate that the topic can be completed within the normal time period allowed, you need to demonstrate that it is manageable, and so focus on key questions within your niche area.
•Aims and objectives: State specific objectives of the research to be undertaken.
•Methodology: You need to demonstrate an awareness of methods available to you and show some understanding of which would be suitable for your research.
•Timescale/research planning: You need to demonstrate an awareness of the need for planning and the timescale of the research. Please try to prepare a realistic timescale.
•Reference List: You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the application.
Your research proposal must be approved by your supervisor in advance of submission. Applications will not be accepted if details for Faculty member are omitted.