Postgraduate Research

Overview

Making an Application

Prior to submitting an application, the candidate should familiarise themselves with the pre-application information at this link How to Apply section. Candidates must consult with the appropriate School on the proposed programme of study and must ascertain whether or not the School would be prepared to recommend his/her application. In the case of candidates not meeting the normal entry requirements or holding overseas qualifications, the relevant School must articulate specific and cogent reasons in support of such candidates online at www.pac.ie/dcu

All applications to undertake postgraduate studies must be submitted online via PAC on the University's official Postgraduate Studies Application Form. The completed application form is submitted online with the appropriate fee. The necessary supporting documentation (certified copies) must be submitted directly to PAC in Galway.

All applicants should apply online via PAC at www.pac.ie/dcu

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes. See course list on PAC at www.pac.ie/dcu for links to the course homepage and further details, eg. Doctorate in Psychotherapy

See the relevant sections in Schools / Research Centres List for more information.

Entry Requirements

To register for a Postgraduate Research programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic. See http://www.dcu.ie/registry/postgraduate/faq.shtml#q3

PhD: Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area.
PhD-track: Candidates with a taught Master's degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in the Academic Regulations, before being admitted to the PhD register.
Master's by Research: Candidates holding a primary degree equivalent to a second-class honours, grade two, may apply for entry on the research Master's register. Students on the Master's register may apply for transfer to the PhD Register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register.

English Language Requirements can be reviewed here.

Assessment

Applicants are assessed and ranked based on their performance at university, and the details provided on their Application . Candidates may be called for interview and/or assessed on the basis of written work/proposed area of research.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email through PAC. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.