Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge Structured Doctoral Pathway 2025-2026

With 40 years of expertise, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a diverse team supervised by globally-recognised faculty members, the DCU Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge is firmly embedded in the national and international research network. Much of our research involves collaboration with academic institutions, private companies and public bodies. Our structured PhD programmes enable postgraduate students to complement their research with critical skills like communication, commercialization and entrepreneurship. This document details a suggested Structured Doctoral Pathway for graduate researchers in Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge. While the main focus for each research candidate is to complete a piece of original research presented in thesis format, students are also supported in developing a range of skills and competencies through taught modules and other learning opportunities.

During the registration, all research students may take a mix of credit-bearing modules (Graduate Training Elements or GTEs), and other non-accredited education opportunities such as workshops, seminars and short courses. These opportunities provide both discipline-specific and transferable skills and knowledge to support students in their research and enhance their research qualification. Engagement in these activities is an important aspect of the graduate research experience.

Students who complete a minimum of 20 GTE credits, in addition to the 270-ECTS thesis, will be recognized as having completed a structured PhD. At least one module should be from the list of discipline-specific modules and one from the list of transferable skills modules. The modules chosen on the structured pathway should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the supervisor and progress reported on the annual PGR2 form. Students should register for their approved GTE Modules during the online registration process.

The Structured Pathway work plan for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the Supervisor and progress (including confirmation of completion of the Online Research Integrity Training Module and other modules) recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the additional training opportunities offered by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and by the School as appropriate. All students are required to attend the orientation and induction sessions organized by GSO during year one. GSO communicates details of their training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. First-year students are also required to take the Online Research Integrity Training module during year one of their studies.

Na Daonnachtaí Digiteacha & An tSochtheangeolaíocht

LIG1010: Taighde Corpais – 10 ECTS Credits
LIG1009: An Dátheangachas agus Buanú na Gaeilge – 10 ECTS Credits
ICT1028: Ríomhthráchtáil & Idirlín – 5 ECTS Credits
ICT1043: Na hIlmheáin – 5 ECTS Credits

Gnó, Bainistíocht, Fiontraíocht Teicneolaíocht na Faisnéise

MNA1030: Bainistíocht Straitéiseach – 5 ECTS Credits
MAD1034: Margaíocht – 5 ECTS Credits

GAE1014: Scileanna Gaeilge – 5 ECTS Credits
GAE1016: Saibhriú Teanga – 10 ECTS Credits
HUM1023: Navigating the Academic Publishing Landscape – 5 ECTS Credits

PHE1034: Research Ethics - 5 ECTS Credits
HUM1022: Engaged Research - 10 ECTS Credits 
POL1092: Quantitative Methods for Social Sciences - 5 ECTS Credits
POL1008: Research Methods – 5 ECTS Credits
BAA1000: Strategies for Academic Writing – 5 ECTS Credits
PSK1001: Uaneen Non-Contributing Module – 5 ECTS Credits
MNA1126: Qualitative Research Methods – 5 ECTS Credits

• Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
• Graduate Studies Office training suite
• Postgraduate Tutor Demonstrating Programme
• Research Integrity Online Training Module (non - accredited)
• Year 1
  Local conference/workshop/seminar attendance and paper presentation
• Year 2
  International conference attendance and paper presentation
• Year 3
  International conference

Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the School and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD.