How to Apply
Candidates who wish to apply to the structured PhD programme are required to complete the on-line application form (put in link). This asks for details in relation to your professional experience and research background. Included in the application are also questions in relation to your research area and guidelines are provided to assist you in filling in this section of the application form (Put in link). Your research proposal should be considered as a working document that will change and evolve over the course of your studies, with the support of your appointed supervisor and the doctoral studies panel. It is not a final or complete proposal. However it enables the course director to get some idea of your thinking in relation to your research and how/whether we can assist you in refining your research questions.
All applications if approved, will be forwarded to the College of Human Sciences Graduate Studies Board for recommendation. Following acceptance onto the programme, the successful candidate will be assigned to their supervisor for further discussion and clarification of their research topic, and specific learning needs. Formal registration of the candidate takes place in September and applications should be received no later than April 1st.
In considering PhD applications the following are taken into account:
(a) the merits of the PhD proposal;
(b) whether supervision in the area of specialism of the proposed PhD can be provided by the School of Education
(c) the prior research experience/training of the applicant:
(d) the probability of completion of the proposed study within the specified time frame (3-4 years full-time study, 5 years part-time).
Who will my supervisor be?
PhD applicants may find it useful to consult a staff member who shares an interest in their subject area and discuss the feasibility of the proposed study at an early stage of proposal development (Link to staff). On receipt of the application, the Director of the PhD programme will consider the merits and feasibility of the proposed research and, in conjunction with the Head of School, make a recommendation in relation to the appointment of the Supervisor and the composition of the doctoral studies panel.
What happens when I have been selected onto the programme?
Once candidates have been selected onto the programme, the successful applicant will meet with the Director of the structured PhD programme and their appointed supervisor. An outline programme of work will be devised that will include individual supervision by the appointed supervisor on the central focus of the student’s research, as well as attendance, along with other PhD students, at core modules in Advanced research and training and Theory and Praxis on offer as part of the structured PhD programme in the School of Education. These take place during the periods of Hallow’een, Mid February and typically in end of May. Over the course of study, the student may also elect to take any other modules offered in the School of Education, or the College of Human Sciences Graduate School, that are deemed appropriate to their learning needs. In order to fulfil the requirements of the structured PhD programme, students must take taught modules to the total minimum credit value of 30 credits over the course of their studies. They can however complete modules up the value of a total of 90 credits. Please consult the course brochure for full details on the structure and entry requirements of the structured PhD in the School of Education, UCD.
Proposal Guidelines
