The UCD Structured PhD aims to enable UCD PhD students to achieve the best possible experience of graduate research and training. Making a substantial and original contribution to knowledge, normally leading to peer-reviewed publications, remains the core objective of doctoral studies. The Structured PhD includes several innovative measures designed to support you in achieving your academic and professional objectives, which are outlined below.

Doctoral Studies Panel

Your School (or Thematic Doctoral Programme) will appoint a Doctoral Studies Panel for you; normally early in your first year. The purpose of the Doctoral Studies Panel is to support and enhance the supervisor-student relationship, to monitor your progress during the course of your doctoral studies and to provide advice and support both to you and your supervisor(s). 

Research and Professional Development Plan (RPDP)

Research and professional development planning is an integral part of the Structured PhD programme at UCD. The purpose of such planning is to ensure that your work is clearly focused on achieving your research and professional development goals. This will play a major part in informing the trajectory of your PhD research and in your training and development as a researcher. For further information on the RPDP please click here.

Transferable Skills Training

As a PhD graduate, your skill-set will naturally include the advanced research and analytical techniques required to undertake high level research in your field. You will also be expected to possess a range of transferable skills, relevant to the successful completion of your research project and to broader career development. Taught modules, online modules and workshops covering a wide range of transferable skills and research skills topics are available to assist you. Please visit Transferable Skills for further information.

Credits and Modules

The UCD Structured PhD operates within a credit-based framework, with one credit corresponding to 20 to 25 hours o f total student effort. If you are undertaking a 3-year PhD programme, you can earn 30 credits by attending modules that develop your academic and transferable skills. If your PhD programme is for 4 years, a total of 90 credits can be accumulated.  

Progression

Doctoral studies, which are normally completed by full-time students within three to four years, comprise two stages:

Stage 1 is a period when you define your research plan, develop your research skills and initiate original research work for your doctorate. Stage 2 is primarily dedicated to continuing your original doctoral research but may also include some advanced education and training.

For further information please download the UCD Structured PhD information leaflet.

Student Health Service

The Student Health Service provides on-campus medical, psychological and psychiatric care to registered students of the university. For further information please click here

Disability Support Services

The Disability Support Services (DSS) provide advice and support to students with disabilities, long term medical conditions or specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia). For further information please visit the DSS website.

Niteline

Niteline is a voluntary student-run organisation that operates a telephone listening and information service for students. The volunteers come from UCD and TCD, and remain anonymous within the student body. Niteline is supported by the Students’ Unions of both universities. Callers can talk about anything that is on their minds, be it personal, sexual or study-related. Put simply, if an issue is important to you, it’s important to us.
Niteline’s number is Freephone 1800 793 793 Web Site: http://www.ucd.ie/niteline/

Student Advisers

The Student Advisers provide support for all students throughout their university experience. Located in the five Colleges and either attached to particular programmes or to specific groups of students. We work closely with the administrative and academic staff as well as with the chaplains and other support staff. We are here to help you make your time at UCD as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible. You can call to see us in relation to personal, social or practical issues. From simple requests for information to more confidential and serious matters, we will give you the time and space to talk things through. For further information please visit the DSS website.

UCD Dublin Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy offer personal support and advice in complete confidence to students who contact them. They have excellent facilities at St. Stephen's where students can meet and make friends and form a community of like-minded people. For further information please click here.

UCD Library

There are thousands of books and periodicals, full-text access to a vast range of electronic information services and other learning materials in both print and electronic formats available to UCD registered students. There are 3,000 reading or study places in the libraries, including special assistive technology facilities for students with disabilities. Many services can be used online via the e-library, which also provides assistance and advice about library facilities, collections, information resources and opening hours.  There is also an open access toolkit to support bibliometrics training and awareness which can be accessed throught the  following link: Measuring your Research Impact

Library staff are available to help you make the most of library resources.

For further information please visit: www.ucd.ie/library

UCD Connect

UCD Connect provides access to a wide range of University services and information. Accessed via the internet, UCD Connect is always available whether you're on or off campus. For further information please visit the UCD Connect page.

UCD Applied Language Centre (ALC)

The UCD Applied Language Center offers programmes in the following areas:
Foreign language electives and English language courses. For further information please visit: www.ucd.ie/alc

UCD International Office

When you study at UCD you will mix with the best and the brightest students from all around the world. The staff of UCD International office are here to welcome and support international students. For further information on the range of services offered please visit: www.ucd.ie/international

Child Care Services

UCD offers on campus crèche facilities. Further details are available on their website.

During school holidays UCD Sport Centre offers a range of fun activities for Children to allow for them the opportunity of trying new Sports, making new friends and having lots of Fun! With Camps at Easter, mid-term, halloween and summer, UCD Sports centre offer Children the chance of taking part in over 25 Sports/activities during camp weeks. Visit the website for more details.

UCD Careers Office

The Career Development Centre provides high quality careers education, information and guidance services to graduate students, enabling them to:
• Identify, develop and articulate their career management and employability skills.
• Develop creative and effective job search strategies.
• Make an effective transition into employment or to the next stage of their career development, whatever that may be.

UCD Student Desk

UCD Student Desk offers a range of services to students including registration/student records, fees, assessment, regulations and transcripts to name but a few. For the full range of services available to students please click here.

Where can I find additional information?

The Graduate Studies Office is also available to assist. Our opening hours are from 9:00AM -1:00PM and from 2:00PM - 5:00PM, Monday to Friday.

Graduate Studies
Research Building
Belfield
Dublin 4

E: graduatestudies@ucd.ie.
T: +353 (0)1 716 4043
www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies