MLitt / PhD Research Programme
If you wish to conduct research in one of the thematic areas listed below, then you may be interested in enrolling in the MLitt / PhD research programme at the UCD School of Psychology. Currently academic staff at the School of Psychology conduct research and supervise MLitt and PhD theses in four main thematic areas:- Clinical psychology
- Disability and rehabilitation
- Cognitive and behavioural neuroscience
- Social and developmental psychology
Details of individual academic staff members research interests, lists of their publications, and their contact details are available on the School of Psychology staff page. If you are interested in working with a specific staff member contact them by email.
If you have an honours degree in psychology or a psychology major, then you can enrolee in a terminal MLitt by research which typically takes between 1 and 2 years. This involves doing a single research study and writing it up as a masters thesis. Alternatively, after a year of MLitt research you can apply to the School of Psychology Research Committee to transfer into the PhD programme, and complete a PhD through 3 further years of research and 30 credits of postgraduate coursework on modules relevant to your thesis.
If you have an honours degree in psychology or a psychology major, and a taught masters degree in psychology, (without 3 years experience relevant to your PhD topic) and you want to do a PhD you must enrolee in the MLitt programme in the first instance. After a year of MLitt research you may apply to the School of Psychology Research Committee to transfer into the PhD programme, and complete a PhD through 3 further years of research and 30 credits of postgraduate coursework on modules relevant to your thesis.
If you have an honours degree in psychology or a psychology major, and a masters degree in psychology by research or a taught masters in psychology and 3 years experience in a field relevant to your PhD topic, then you can enrolee in a 3-year PhD programme, which involves conducting a research programme, writing this up as a doctoral thesis, and undertaking 30 credits of postgraduate coursework on modules relevant to your thesis.
There is also the option of conducting the MLitt on a part-time basis over 2-4 years and the PhD on a part-time basis over 6 years.
Three-year PhD in Clinical Psychology
If you are a mature clinical psychologist who qualified when professional training in clinical psychology was at a masters degree level, you may be interested in undertaking a 3-year PhD researching a topic in clinical psychology, and undertaking 30 credits of postgraduate coursework on modules relevant to your thesis. This is the programme the UCD School of Psychology recommends for mature clinical psychologists who wish to acquire a doctoral level qualification. A number of senior members of the profession have found this approach to obtaining a doctoral qualification very engaging. If you are interested in working with a specific staff member contact them by email. Details of individual academic staff members research interests, lists of their publications, and their contact details are available on the School of Psychology staff page.
MLitt / PhD in disability studies
If you have a masters degree in disability studies you may apply to the School of Psychology Research Committee to enter the MLItt / PhD programme in disability studies. You may complete a terminal MLitt by submitting a research thesis on a disability-related topic within 2 years. Alternatively, after a year of MLitt research you can apply to the School of Psychology Research Committee to transfer into the PhD programme, and complete a PhD through 3 further years of research and 30 credits of postgraduate coursework on modules relevant to your thesis. There is also the option of conducting the MLitt on a part-time basis over 2-4 years and the PhD on a part-time basis over 6 years. For further information contact Dr Suzanne Guerin at suzanne.guerin@ucd.ie , Director of the UCD Centre for Disability Studies
Curriculum: Graduate modules
To fulfill the requirement of completing 30 credits of course work relevant to their research programmes, PhD students may select modules from the following list, or from the complete list of UCD graduate modules
PSY40290 Developing a research design (5 credits). A series of seminars and practical training sessions on developing a research design for a doctoral programme of research is co-ordinated by Dr Suzanne Guerin in Semester 1.
PSY40220 Advanced qualitative design (5 credits). A series of seminars and practical training sessions in qualitative methods is co-ordinated by Dr Suzamme Guerin in Semester 2.
PSY40270 Ethics in psychology (5 credits). A series of seminars and practical training sessions on applying for ethical approval for a doctoral programme of research is co-ordinated by Dr Suzanne Guerin in Semester 1.
PSY40510 Advanced psychology skills (10 credits). In this seminar postgraduates make formal end-of-year presentations on their research. The seminars are co-ordinated by Dr Suzanne Guerin.
PSY40310 Psychology writing group (10 credits). Over semesters 1 and 2 a series of seminars is co-ordinated by Dr Eilis Hennessy on how to write articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
PSY50030 Advanced psychology writing group (10 credits). Over semesters 1 and 2 a series of advanced seminars is co-ordinated by Dr Eilis Hennessy on how to write articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
PSY40520 Psychology research seminars (10 credits). Postgraduates attend a national or international conference or CPD event relevant to their PhD research programme and submit a report on this to the module co-ordinator, Dr Teresa Burke.
PSY50040 Advanced psychology seminars Postgraduates present their research at a national or international conference relevant to their PhD research programme and submit a report on this to the module co-ordinator, Dr Teresa Burke.
PhD programme supports and evaluation
At the UCD School of Psychology, each PhD student is supported by a doctoral studies panel (DSP) which includes their thesis supervisor and two other academics. PhD students document their educational, training and personal and professional development needs, which, along with the proposed programme of research, inform the development of a Research and Professional Development Plan (RPDP) . The DSP monitors progress against the RPDP annually. At the end of their first year, postgraduates write a transfer report to transfer from stage 1 to stage 2 of the PhD programme, and defend this in a meeting with their DSP. The PhD is examined in an oral viva voce examination with internal and external examiners where candidates defend their PhD theses. PhD theses describe research which makes an original, substantial, publishable contribution to knowledge and the degree is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated the capacity to pursue original research and scholarship.
Indicative Fees
Ireland and EU first year full-time €5,300
Non-EU first year full- time €9,000
MLItt / PhD fees for EU and Non-EU students can be found on the UCD Fees website under graduate research fees in the College of Human Sciences: Fees page
Financial support
Post-graduates on the MLitt / PhD research programme may be offered positions as tutors or demonstrators within the School of Psychology and remunerated for this work. Tutors provide small group tutorials to undergraduates enrolled in psychology modules. Demonstrators provide small-group support to undergraduate completing laboratory practicals in psychology.
Entry Requirements
Candidates may apply for admission to the MLitt / PhD research programme if they have obtained, or expect to obtain, one of the following:
- At least an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree in psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the psychology society of the country in which the degree was awarded.
- At least an upper second class honours Higher Diploma in Psychology (conversion course) recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the psychology society of the country in which the degree was awarded.
Candidates may enter the PhD programme directly (without first enrolling for an MLitt) if they have a research masters degree in psychology, a taught masters degree and 3 years experience in field in which they wish to conduct PhD research, and an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Higher Diploma in Psychology.
Applications
Applicants in the first instance may contact the staff member who they would like to supervise their research. Details of staff research interests and email addresses are available on the School of Psychology staff page. If a staff member agrees to supervise your research then, you are invited to submit a research proposal to the School of Psychology Research Committee on the Research Graduate Application form. Contact Mary Boyle at mary.boyle@ucd.ie or +353-1-716-8369 for procedures for proposal submission.
 |
 |
| North America | International |
International Applications
Applications to the MLitt / PhD programme are welcome from international candidates who majored in Psychology. A minimum GPA of 3.4 applies. Candidates who majored in psychology (with a GPA of 3.4) and who also have a research masters degree in psychology or a taught masters degree in psychology and 3 years work experience relevant to their research topic may apply to enter the PhD programme directly (without first enrolling for an MLitt). Applicants in the first instance may contact the staff member who they would like to supervise their research. Details of staff research interests and email addresses are available on the School of Psychology staff page. If a staff member agrees to supervise your research then, you are invited to submit a research proposal to the School of Psychology Research Committee. Contact Mary Boyle at mary.boyle@ucd.ie or +353-1-716-8369 for proposal submission procedures.
The following website provides general information for international students who wish to study at UCD: http://www.ucd.ie/international/ Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English, therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of pass Leaving Certificate standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must meet the minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) specified at the following website: English language requirements