UCD School of Music

Scoil an Cheoil UCD


Doctor of Philosopy (PhD)


All of UCD’s research programmes are now fully modularized and offered with taught components (such as Transferable Skills modules). Apart from the main supervisor, research students will be co-supervised and assessed by a doctoral panel composed of representatives of Music and cognate disciplines. After the first year of their studies, research students will receive a recommendation as to whether they should continue their studies towards an MLitt or a PhD degree. The MLitt degree can be awarded after two years’ study and the submission of a substantial thesis (together with optional taught components this amounts to 180 ECTS credit points); the PhD can be awarded after a minimum of three years' study and the submission of a dissertation (270 ECTS credit points).

Doctoral research is a very important part of the School’s Graduate Programme and the range of dissertation topics which are currently under supervision (see below) reflects the research interests of the School. These topics include:

  • John Field and the Piano Concerto
  • Catholic Church Music in Dublin, 1900-1960
  • Music in Irish Periodical Literature, 1700-1880
  • The Role and Representation of Hip-Hop in Recent American Literature (jointly with the Clinton Institute for American Studies).
  • Microtonality in the Music of Ezra Sims
  • The History of Irish Brass Bands
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    Doctoral students now have the possibility of having their work substantially funded externally through the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (the School has a strong record of IRCHSS-funded PhD students).