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Irish Studies (Structured PhD )

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Course Overview

Course fees.

As part of the doctoral training available on the Structured PhD programme, students avail themselves of a range of interdisciplinary taught modules. The wide menu of available options include modules that:

• are discipline-specific in that they augment the student’s existing knowledge in their specialist area
• are dissertation-specific in that they supply core skills which are essential to completion of the research project, e.g., additional language skills
• acknowledge a student’s professional development e.g. presentation of a paper at an international conference
• enhance a student’s employability through generic training, e.g., careers workshops, computer literacy.

Each student will be assigned a primary Supervisor(s) and a Graduate Research Committee made up of experienced researchers to plan their programme of study and to provide on-going support to their research.

Applications are welcome in all aspects of Irish Studies but projects are particularly welcome in the following areas: bilingual and comparative studies of modern and contemporary Irish writing; the politics and practice of translation; historical cartography, colonial and imperial geographies; traditional Irish music and dance.

It is a requirement of all PhD/MLitt candidates at the Centre for Irish Studies that they adopt an interdisciplinary approach to their research.

Programmes Available

Structured PhD (Irish Studies)—full-time  Structured PhD (Irish Studies)—part-time

Applications are made online via the University of Galway  Postgraduate Applications System . 

Learning Outcomes

Entry requirements.

The minimum qualification necessary to be considered for admission to the PhD programme is a high honours, primary degree (or equivalent international qualification), or ’other such evidence as will satisfy the Head of Discipline and the College of his/her fitness’ (University of Galway Calendar). It is more usual, however, for successful applicants to have already gained a Master's degree.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects.

• ’Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: reshaping tradition’, Méabh Ní Fhuartháin (IRCHSS Government of Ireland Scholar)
• ’Irish migration to Cuba 1835–1844’, Margaret Brehony, (IRCHSS Government of Ireland Scholar)
• ’The French Connection: the influence of French writing on the Gaelic revival 1893–1939’, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, (IRCHSS Government of Ireland Scholar) 

Current funded research opportunity

Work placement, related student organisations, career opportunities, find a supervisor / phd project.

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Current Projects

Dr. Louis De Paor — Twentieth-century writing in Irish; translation;  Máirtín Ó Cadhain; Flann O'Brien; Irish bardic poetry.

Dr. Nessa Cronin — Irish and European historical cartography; cultural geography; philosophies of space and place; twentiethcentury and contemporary Irish writing.

Dr. Michelle Comber — Archaeology of Irelands early historic period (approx. 5th to 12th century A.D.), especially its fine metalwork, economy, and settlement; ringforts and settlement economy.

Researcher Profiles

Dr Louis de Paor  Dr Nessa Cronin  Dr Lillis Ó Laoire  Dr Kathy Powell  Dr Mary Cawley  Dr Niall Ó Ciosáin  Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh  Dr Caitríona Clear  

Fees: Non EU

Extra information.

EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25

All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy  of €140.

Dr. Louis De Paor T +353 91 493 660 E louis.depaor@ universityofgalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Méabh Ní Fhuartháin |   Irish traditional music and dance

The value of the Centre for all students as an interdisciplinary hub, drawing on a wide and expert knowledge base across the university, has been essential in my own development as a scholar. The egalitarian ethos of the Centre is especially apparent through the Meitheal graduate research group, a fortnightly opportunity to present work in progress to fellow students and staff from within the Centre and throughout the college. The Irish Studies Seminar Series, also administrated by the graduate student body, offers a chance to hear a wide variety of visiting scholars. One of the most fruitful aspects of my time at the Centre has been the intellectual engagement of visiting scholars with students. The atmosphere created at the Centre for Irish Studies, of intellectual rigor and challenge, and the sense of community at Martha Fox House all serve to make being a graduate student highly rewarding on a personal and professional level, and in my case something which I am certain I would not have found elsewhere. Also important for me is the one hundred per cent completion record of PhD students under the stewardship of all the appointed supervisors.

Postgraduate Prospectus 2024 PDF (3.3MB)

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UCC University College Cork

English department roinn an bhéarla.

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Phd applications, phd admission procedures.

To be eligible for consideration to enter on a programme of study and research for the Degree of PhD, a candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary degree.  It is increasingly the case that applicants for a PhD will have completed an MA prior to embarking on PhD research. 

Before making an application, we advise you to consult the research profiles of our staff and contact a staff member who has expertise in the area in which you are interested and who may be willing to act as your supervisor.  All applications for a PhD in English (and in the College of Arts more generally) must include a Research Proposal, which your prospective supervisor will want to read before you submit a formal application.  You may receive some guidance on improving your proposal before the formal application.  If you would like to make a general enquiry about the posibility of doing research on a particular topic, please contact the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, currently Dr Maureen O'Connor:  [email protected]  

All applications (whether EU or Non-EU) are made online through  UCC's application system

Once your application is received by UCC via PAC, it will be forwarded to the Department of English, and approved by the named supervisor(s) and the Head of Department.   It must then be approved by the College of CASSS. The process, from initial enquiry to final approval, can take several months, so do be sure to plan well in advance.  There are 4 recognised start dates for PhD students in UCC: October, January, April and July.  

In the case of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, all successful applicants are registered as "PhD track" (i.e. provisional registration for a PhD) in the first instance. Students will be subject to a review within 12 to 18 months from the date of registration and will be required to demonstrate progress in the form of 10,000 words minimum written work, as well as defending their work at interview. Students may then, on the recommendation of the Head of Department and the Supervisor(s) and with the approval of the College/Faculty, transfer to the PhD. 

For further guidance on application procedures, fees and entrance requirements please consult the following links:

Study@UCC: Postgraduate Students

Studyabroad@UCC (International Students)

PhD Scholarships

Information about the PhD Excellence Scholarships provided by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences PhD Excellence Scholarships is published on the  CACSSS Graduate School website .

PhD students are also encouraged to apply to the IRC's Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme. More information on deadlines for the Irish Research Council scholarships can be found IRC website .

Scholarships & Awards

The graduate students and postgraduate researchers of the Department of English have an excellent track record in securing scholarships and research funding, in what is an increasingly competitive environment.  The various awards made are listed here by year:

IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Sarah McCreedy "The Resurgence of American Literary Naturalism in the Neoliberal 21st Century"

Kieran Nee "Solastalgic America: Literature of the environmental psyche"

Ciaran Kavanagh "Reading Postmodernism: Indeterminacy, Instability and the Changing Role of the Modern Reader"

Fiona Whyte "On Lindisfarne: A Novel"

Loretta Goff  "Hyphenating Ireland and America: Examining the Construction of Contemporary Hybrid Identities in Film and Screen Media 1990-2015"

Patricia O'Connor "Retrieving the Textual Environment of the "Old English Bede": A Digital Remediation of Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 41"

Sean Travers "Innovative Representations of Trauma in Contemporary Literature, Postmodernism and Popular Culture"

Eoin O'Callaghan "Submerged Stories: The Evolution of William Faulkner's Short Fiction"

Martin McConigley "The Border in Contemporary Irish Fiction 1970-2014: Interrogating the lines that continue to separate"

Niamh Kehoe "Vernacular Saints' Lives in England 900-1300: Humour, Gender, and Violence.

Yen-Chi Wu "Temporalities in the Novels of John McGahern: "Against the Tide"

Kathy D'Arcy "A Poetic Heteroglossia Re-Articulating 1930s Irish Women's Poetry: Weighted Silences"

Rebecca Graham "An Ecofeminist Reading of Identity, Place, and Language in Éilís Ní Dhuibne's Fiction" 

David Roy "The Unity of Edmund Spenser's  Complaints

Dan O'Brien "The Intertwining Fiction of Philip Roth and Edna O'Brien: 'A Piece of Fine Meshwork'"

M urphy Irish Exchange Fellowship (University of Notre Dame)

Dan O’Brien  "The Intertwining Fiction of Philip Roth and Edna O'Brien: 'A Piece of Fine Meshwork'"

UCC CACSSS 2013/14 PhD SCHOLARSHIP

Rebecca Graham "An Ecofeminist Reading of Identity, Place, and Language in Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's Fiction"

Eoin O'Callaghan "William Faulkner's 'Snopes' Trilogy"

IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Donna Alexander"Women in the Borderlands in the Writings of Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes"

Gwendolen Aoife Boyle "Autobiography and Fiction in the Work of Thomas Wolfe"

Mark Kirwan "Banville as Writer: The Discursive Practices of John Banville"

Laura Pomeroy "Mary Devenport O'Neill: Writing the Free State"

James Cummins "'I shall / be in my segments': Dissecting and Reassessing Raworth's Oeuvre through a Multitude of Influences"

Siobhan Higgins "Britain's Bourse: Cultural and Intellectual Transmissions between the Low Countries and Britain in the Early Modern Era"

Edel Mulcahy "Travel, Pilgrimage and the Family in Middle English Writing"

Niamh O'Mahony "Poetic Epistemology and Philosophical Fact"

Michael Waldron  "Verbal Painting: Elizabeth Bowen and the Art of Visuality"

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

UCC COLLEGE OF ARTS, CELTIC STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PHD SCHOLARSHIP

Donna Alexander "Women in the Borderlands in the Writings of Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes"

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 

Coirle Mooney "Infected Vision in the Works of Thomas Middleton"

WILLIAM J. LEEN AWARD (UCC)

IRCHSS CARA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Dr. Carrie Griffin  "Learning and Information in the English Middle Ages and Early Modern Period: An Analysis of Textual Genres, Material Structures and Reorganisation"

UCC DOCTORAL SHOWCASE

Michael Waldron (2nd Place)

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Adrian Goodwin  “The Language of Space”: The Influence of Twentieth Century Irish Gay and Lesbian Narrative on the “Post-Gay” moment in Irish Literature.

Colin Lahive    "Milton and Romance: Vernacular Romance and Chivalric Traditions in Paradise"

Cian O'Mahony    “A King for the Queene”: Samuel Sheppard’s The Faerie King and his reception of Spenser’s epic authority.

Bairbre Anne Walsh "Claude McKay and the Transnational Novel"

Alan Foley, "The Objects of Laughter:  A Poetics of Humour in Old and Middle English Literaure".

Sarah Kate Hayden, "Resonances of the Radical in the Female Modernist Poetic"

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Richard A. Hawtree, "Vox Meditans:  Studies in the Anglo-Saxon Liturgical Imagination and the Unity of Old English Poetic ManAuscripts.

Victoria Kennefick, "Lonely Voices of the South:  Exploring the Transatlantic dialogue of Frank O'Connor and Flannery O'Connor"

IRCHSS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

David Coughlan, "Ghosts of American Writing"

NUI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Liam Lenihan

UCC COLLEGE OF ARTS, CELTIC STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PRESIDENT'S SCHOLARSHIP

Katherine D'Arcy

IRCHSS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Dr Andrew King, "Mirrors Of British Kingship: The Galfridian Tradition in Early Modern Drama"

Sarah Louise Melnyk, “The Arthurian Legend in Scottish and English Literature”  

Mary O’Connell,  “Truth from the bookseller”:  Murray, Moore and the manufacturing of Byron

Louise Denmead,  “Representations of ‘Blackness’ and the Female Foreigner in Aemilia Lanyer and Elizabeth Cary.”

Sorcha Fogarty, In Memoriam:  Jacques Derrida, The Working of Mourning, and the Regeneration of Responsibility.

Dr Mary Pierse, “George Moore and Early Literary Impressionism” 

Emma Bidwell, "Female Performance of Masculinity." 

Siobhan Collins, "Discourses of sexuality in the poetry of John Donne"

Eileen Forristal, "The sublime in Virginia Wolf"

Kalene Nix-Kenefick,  "Una Troy (1910-1993)"

Dr Tina O’Toole, “Narrating the new woman: the feminist fictions of Sarah Grand and George Egerton."

Dr Jason King, "Refugee narratives in Irish historical and contemporary perspective"

Dr Lee Jenkins, "The language of Caribbean poetry" 

Dr Margaret Connolly,  “An Index of Middle English Prose in the Main Manuscript Collection of Cambridge University Library”.

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Professor Patricia Coughlan,  "Gender, sexuality and social change in Irish literature 1960-2000"

Susan Burke, “The Presence of Wollstonecraft in the Work of Mary Shelley.”

Ruth Connolly, “Subjectivity in the Writings of Mary Boyle Rich and Katherine Boyle Jones.”

Brendan Kavanagh, “W.B. Yeats and Eastern Mysticism”

Catherine MacHale, “Infinity in Language and Literature.”

Eleanor Neff, “A Comparative Study of Beowulf and the Tain Bo Cuailnge”  (Department of Celtic Civilisation and Department of English).

Paul O’Connor,  “Sensibility & Romanticism:  The Poetics of Modernity.”

Michael O’Sullivan, “Where is the Ethics in Ethical Criticism?”

Mary Pierse, “Rattling the Railings:  George Moore’s Creative Literary Resistance to Late Victorian Society.”

IRCHSS POSTGRADUTE SCHOLARSHIP

Kenneth Rooney, “Timor Mortis: Aspects of the Macabre in Late Middle English Narrative.”

PhD Theses since 2000

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Our Doctoral Programme is an integral element of our rich and enduring research culture and traditions. Our PhD students come from over 20 countries and are formed in an international learning environment that is intensive, collaborative, enjoyable, and results-oriented.

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• Study in Ireland /

PhD in Ireland for International Students: A Complete Guide

• Updated on  
• Aug 1, 2023

If studying abroad is your dream and you wish to pursue PhD in Ireland then you just landed on the right page. This blog will offer you all the information regarding PhD in Ireland. So, don’t worry about the hectic application process and eligibility, we will help you navigate the relevant information while you go through this blog. This blog contains information about the benefits of pursuing PhD in Ireland, the application process, scholarship details, eligibility criteria, necessary documents required for PhD in Ireland, top universities in Ireland, and the future scope of PhD.

This Blog Includes:

Quick facts: phd in ireland, benefits of pursuing phd in ireland , eligibility criteria for phd in ireland, documents required for phd in ireland, top universities in ireland, scholarships, future scope, cost of living in ireland, overview of phd in ireland.

PhD is the highest level of degree in any field of study. If you possess a master’s degree from a recognized university with minimum qualifying marks then, you are eligible to pursue PhD in your desired specialization/subject. As the education system in Ireland is the best, it makes the country a desirable place to study.

International students can come across various PhD opportunities in Ireland . There are two broad categories in which students can enroll themselves for PhD in Ireland i.e. Universities and Institutes of Technology.

Talking about the duration of PhD in Ireland, a full-time PhD generally lasts for 3-4 years. This duration could get extended based on the amount of work.

Also Read: Study in Ireland

Mentioned below are some of the benefits that students can avail for doing PhD in Ireland:

• The universities in Ireland have adopted creative teaching techniques and the country offers in-depth practical and theoretical training to the doctoral students. Thus, it offers the best research opportunities
• Every university has its own set criteria, but some universities in Ireland permit enrollment in PhD programs without a master’s degree. So, you could directly jump to a PhD course after the completion of the bachelor’s degree
• Generally, the course duration may get extended, but universities in Ireland do not extend the course duration for more than 4 years
• Some of the best universities in Ireland offering PhD are Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, and many more
• One of the major benefits of pursuing a PhD in Ireland is that you can contact your supervisor beforehand. This process will eventually help you understand whether your supervisor shares the same interest in research
• Lastly, pursuing a PhD in Ireland enables you to apply for a post-study work permit . Thus, the international candidate could stay back in Ireland for a job and attain work experience

The eligibility criteria for getting entry into PhD in Ireland for international students vary from university to institute to college. The following are the main PhD requirements for international students:

• The international candidate must possess proof of a master’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 60% or 6.0 CGPA
• Irish is the official language in Ireland, but university instructions are delivered in English, so non-native students have to provide English proficiency test scores. As you are going abroad to study, it becomes crucial that you are well-versed with the English language and to prove this, you must have an English language proficiency scorecard. For internet-based TOEFL – an 88-90 score, IELTS – 6.5-7.0, and PTE academic a minimum score of 63 is necessary. 
• International students must possess a valid study visa
• Transcripts and scorecards of aptitude/standardized tests should also be available to the candidate. Some major standardized tests are GMAT/GAMSAT/GRE
• International students must also provide an updated Resume, 2 LOR (letter of recommendation) , and the SOP (Statement of purpose)

Also Read: Engineering colleges in Ireland 

Application Process for PhD in Ireland 

All the eligible international students seeking admission in PhD in Ireland apply to the institute’s international office directly. Some universities in Ireland will need the candidates to apply via PAC (Postgraduate Applications Centre) which is similar to the UCAS system used by the United Kingdom UG students. In this system, every applicant is given a unique identification number, and all the information is submitted online.

All the candidates have to submit a non-refundable fee at the time of application i.e. the application fee of  €50. 

As the application process varies, the international applicant must make sure that all the documents including the study proposal and personal statement as well as transcript are ready. 

• Research and select the university.
• Select the specialization and find a supervisor- the candidate needs to review the university website and select your supervisor and contact them via email. The supervisor might get many applications so you need to make sure that your application stands out amongst all the applications and the supervisor selects you. 
• Further, you need to prepare a research proposal and it is compulsory in the case of PhD students. The word count of the proposal should range between 1500-2000 and it should include your field of study and the reason for the research. Basically, the purpose should have an explanation regarding the purpose of choosing a particular subject and your past experience and education.
• Provide the university with two letters of recommendation. If you wish to study PhD in Ireland then it is necessary to possess LOR which is written by any person associated with your previous institute and they would refer your candidature to the university of your choice. 
• Lastly, complete all the paperwork.

Listed below are the Documents required for PhD in Ireland:

• Copies of all academic qualifications (Master and Bachelor)
• 2 passport-sized coloured photographs
• Signed application letter 
• Proof of educational gaps (if any)
• A copy of the current and prior passports (if any)
• Proof of finances 
• Acceptance letter from the university 
• Proof of deposits
• Medical coverage

Also Read: Universities in Ireland for PhD

Listed below are the Top Universities for PhD in Ireland:

The scholarship is awarded to both domestic as well as international candidates from various universities in Ireland. Students all over the world seeking admission in PhD in Ireland can apply for the scholarship program. The student must possess a first-class and second-class bachelor’s degree to be able to apply for the scholarship. 

If the student is successful in applying for a scholarship, he/she will attain the below financial support:

• An annual stipend of €18,500
• A contribution to your tuition fees of up to €5,750 per year
• A contribution to your direct research expenses of €3,250 in a year.

Following is the list of other scholarships:

PhD in Ireland would eventually prove beneficial for the international student as they may have in-depth knowledge of the research procedures and they would also possess practical experience throughout the process. 

Some of the employment opportunities available after completion of the PhD in Ireland with respect to annual salary are listed below:

Ireland’s education system is world-class, with a distinctive and updated curriculum that is deserving of all praise. Given the numerous alternatives available, the expense of education in Ireland is fair.

For Indian students, the median cost of living in Ireland for one academic year is projected to be up to €12,000. Rent, food bills, energy, medicine, and other needs are all included. Ireland’s average cost of living is 220% more than India’s. Rent accounts for the majority of costs. The average rent in Ireland is over 700% greater than in India.

1) Accommodation cost ranges from €420 to €500. If you opt to live on campus, expect to pay between €300 and €600 per month.

2) A shared bedroom costs €350 per person. Renting a luxurious, private apartment might cost up to €850 per month.

Students acquiring campus accommodation in universities of Dublin may review the University College Dublin expenditure chart.

The average tuition fee of PhD in Ireland starts at €9,000 a year for international students, but certain courses may cost as high as €30,000 per year. The tuition fee of business studies and medicine is the most expensive in Ireland.

Yes, of course, international students could avail the opportunity to be part of research programmes in Ireland. Apart from this, they would also get a wonderful chance to do part-time jobs during their course of study. After the completion of the course, international students are eligible to apply for work permit therefore, they can stay there for 2 more years and build their careers. 

The steps involved in the application process for PhD in Ireland are: Search for the university, contact the supervisor, apply and submit the application fee, submit all the documents (Visa, LOR, SOP, resume, etc), make a deposit and obtain the offer letter from the university.

We hope this blog has helped you to get a brief idea about PhD in Ireland and all the in-depth details regarding the same. If you are interested in getting admission to the best international universities then you can visit our website at Leverage edu .

Kajal Thareja

Hi, I am Kajal, a pharmacy graduate, currently pursuing management and is an experienced content writer. I have 2-years of writing experience in Ed-tech (digital marketing) company. I am passionate towards writing blogs and am on the path of discovering true potential professionally in the field of content marketing. I am engaged in writing creative content for students which is simple yet creative and engaging and leaves an impact on the reader's mind.

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Irish Research Council

Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

Eligible HEIs and RPOs

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is an established national initiative, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and managed by the Council.

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem. Among its features are:

• individual, prestigious awards for excellent research in the name of the applicant;
• an objective selection process using international, independent expert peer review;
• funding across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology; and
• awards for bottom-up, non-directed research, with the exception of those funded by our strategic funding partners.

Pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or those introducing creative, innovative approaches are welcomed. Proposals of an interdisciplinary nature are also encouraged as it is recognised that advancing fundamental understanding is achieved by integrating information, techniques, tools and perspectives from two or more disciplines.

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. Successful awardees under the programme are recognised as demonstrating world-class potential as future research leaders.

Strategic funding partners

A number of government departments and agencies partner with the Irish Research Council to support the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme as a mechanism to deliver on shared national objectives. The Irish Research Council’s strategic funding partners for 2024 are:

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Met Éireann

What we offer

The value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €28,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:

• a stipend of €19,000 per annum;
• a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum; and
• eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum.

How to apply

Potential applicants should read the call documentation carefully to ascertain whether or not they are eligible to apply. Indicative versions of the applicant and supervisor forms are provided for information purposes only. All participants must create and submit their forms via the online system.

Please note that the timings provided here are indicative and may be subject to change.

If you do not find the answer to your query in the call documentation, you should contact the research office in your proposed institution which will provide information and clarification on the call. Research offices can send any queries they are unable to clarify to  [email protected] .

For reasons of transparency and fairness to all applicants, the IRC will not enter into written or telephone correspondence with any individual about the assessment process or their eligibility to apply.

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2024 Call Document

2024 Call Document (Irish Translation)

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Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad

Our complete guide on phd study in ireland.

Herilalao Study in Ireland Leave a comment

Ireland has one of the world’s oldest higher education systems and has been a center of learning in Europe since as far as 500 AD. With this many centuries of experience in dispensing education and training, you’ll certainly get access to world-class PhD resources at its universities. Moreover, being part of the European Higher Education Area, Ireland follows the Bologna process, offering PhDs as third-cycle degree-programs. Here’s our overview of how a PhD in Ireland works: structure, requirements, duration, funding and more.

Table of Contents

Benefits of doing a PhD in Ireland

The decision to do a PhD stem from considering several factors: your field of study and research, the university you plan to do your research at, and your goals. Ireland has a number of universities with an excellent reputation, nationally and internationally. Here are some of the benefits you’ll gain if you choose to do your PhD in Ireland.

You don’t necessarily need a master to do a PhD in Ireland

Unlike in many countries, where it’s mandatory for a PhD candidate to hold a master’s degree, in Ireland, you may directly jump from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD. The possibility to do your PhD depends on the program the student is applying for and their academic goals. So, make sure to check with your university whether a master is part of the requirements for doctoral studies in your institution. 

You can conduct research in a subject you are passionate about

Because a PhD can be challenging in so many ways, in order to have the required resilience to pursue it, you should make sure to choose the right topic for your research project. Start by choosing a subject you are really enthusiastic about, that you are eager to deepen your knowledge about. The idea is to give yourself this extra motivation to carry on your research and achieve your goals. 

You are allowed to contact a supervisor of interest

This means getting to know beforehand a potential supervisor to find out if they share your interest in your research topic. It is also a great way to find out if you can work well with this person. Since you’ll have to interact a lot with this person for the duration of your PhD, this proactive approach can only be beneficial. 

You have access to several scholarships and funding programs

We will elaborate a bit more on this subject later in this guide. But know just that it is rare to not have any funding option for a PhD research in Ireland. There are programs both for European and non-European students. They are either from the government of Ireland, the Irish Research Council and even the universities themselves. 

You benefit from a 2-year visa extension after you graduate

At the completion of your studies in Ireland, you have a 24-month stay back option you can take advantage of. This is one of the reasons why Ireland is a popular study destination in Europe. Students can apply for an extension of their visa for 2 more years in order to seek employment in Ireland.

How long is a PhD course in Ireland? 

The typical duration of a full-time PhD in Ireland is 3 to 4 years. A part-time PhD, on the other hand, will take 5 to 6 years to complete. The academic year in the country is the same as in the UK, with 2 semesters a year: from September to December, then from January to April. In case the students don’t complete the requirements for their degree within these timelines, they can apply for a permission to continue their research. 

Supervision and support during the PhD

During your PhD, your host university will assign you at least one supervisor. This supervisor is an active academic whose main responsibilities are to manage and oversee your research and studies. In some case, there might be a co-supervisor who supports the primary supervisor. 

There is also a Research Study Panel (RSP) whose role is to monitor your progress, provide advice and support the student-supervisor relationship. You will be assigned a RSP within the first trimester upon your registration. Moreover, you’ll have to meet them at least twice in the first year and once a year the following years. 

Assessment and examination

Upon their registration, full-time PhD students initially enroll into a Masters of Philosophy (MPhil). They must then complete an assessment in their first year to upgrade to a PhD. 

In the following years, students conduct research and produce a written thesis of up to 100,000 words in length. This dissertation must include details such as the context, description, methodology and result of the research, and will be assessed during an oral examination (viva voce). 

Moreover, before they submit their thesis, students need the approval of their primary supervisor. Furthermore, the oral defense of the dissertation is assessed by an examination committee including an internal and an external examiner. 

Applying for a PhD in Ireland

As already mentioned earlier, a master is not mandatory for your admission in a PhD program in Ireland. Also, application for a PhD program in the country is pretty straightforward. You’ll get admission as long as you comply to the requirements set by your university of choice. 

Read our guide on the requirements to study at Irish universities .

A proof of an excellent command of the English language is also mandatory, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Along with this, you have to provide your latest academic transcripts (master or bachelor’s degree), as some programs may be more competitive than others. 

Moreover, as in most PhD application, you need to provide a research proposal. It should include details about the research you wish to conduct, how you will do it and why it should be approved. This research proposal should be approved by a panel of expert before you can start your PhD program. 

Like for the master’s degree in Ireland , it can happen that your university asks you to apply via the Postgraduate Application Centre ( PAC ). It’s an online registration portal for postgraduate studies for most Irish universities, which guides you throughout all the application process. The advantage of the PAC platform is that you can make multiple application, with a €50 fee. 

PhD fees in Ireland for international students

The cost of a PhD in Ireland starts at €9,000 a year for international students. But some programs may cost as high as €30,000 per year. And business studies and medicine are the most expensive ones. Moreover, it’s quite rare for a PhD to not come with some form of scholarship, grant or bursary. Many universities provide monetary support, that are available for both local and international students.

PhD scholarships in Ireland for international students 

Here are some options of funding for your PhD studies in the Emerald Isle.

Postgraduate scholarship program from the Government of Ireland

The Irish Department of Education and Skills in partnership with the Irish Research Council offers a scholarship to fund a PhD or a master in any discipline at a university in Ireland. This scholarship is open to both local and international students, who are eligible as long as they have a bachelor’s degree (or an international equivalent). 

The scholarship includes: 

• €18,500 stipend per year
• A contribution of up to €5,750 per year to the tuition fees
• An annual contribution of €3,250 to the student’s research expenses.

Learn more on the website of the Irish Research Council .

Enterprise Partnership Program 

It’s a system that joins research students with a partner enterprise for their postgraduate degree. The student’s research topic should then be directly related to the partner organization which can be a company, a governmental body or a charity. And by the end of the degree, students will gain both research and professional skills.

Find out more about this scholarship . 

To benefit from this scholarship, applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree. The program is open both to domestic and foreign students, and it includes the same benefits as for the Irish Government postgraduate scholarship. 

Scholarships from Irish universities

The last option of PhD funding is from the university you intend to apply to in Ireland. It’s common for universities to have in-house incentives for researchers, whether it is a tuition fee reduction or a fully funded PhD opportunity. 

Read also our resource on the types of scholarships in Ireland .

Can I work while doing a PhD in Ireland?

The answer is yes! You can definitely get a job to earn an extra-income while doing your PhD, without the need of a work permit. However, if you’re a non-European citizen, you’ll need a valid Irish Resident Permit (IRP) as well as the Stamp 2, which allow you to work a maximum of 20 hours a week during the academic year. And like for any student job in Ireland , you can work up to 40 hours a week during holidays.  

You can check our guide on the subject to find out all the other requirements to work during your studies. Moreover, you can also get an employment contract with your host university. This is the case for students who enroll in a structured PhD with job placement or engagement with a research enterprise partner included. Check with your university to find out more on the subject.

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Graduate Diploma in Ireland

On this page, shorter courses, great pathway to a master’s degree, why pursue a graduate diploma in ireland, types of graduate diplomas in ireland, eligibility criteria, topics covered.

• 12 May 2024

Graduate diploma and postgraduate diploma are the two terms that most countries often use interchangeably. While there are no major differences in these terms, the level, course duration, structure and specialisations offered may differ from country to country. In simple words, graduate diplomas are the qualification taken after completion of the first degree. It serves as a pathway to a master’s degree and also helps students gain specialisations to become job ready.

A graduate diploma in Ireland is awarded at the same level as a bachelor's honours degree and a variety of courses are offered under the same. To name a few, courses such as Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Higher Diploma in Business Management, Higher Diploma in Business, Higher Diploma in Digital Marketing, Higher Diploma in International Business and Postgraduate Diploma in Christian Theology are most popular among international students. It is a great option for students who have less years of education than required for pursuing masters after a bachelor’s degree. It is a popular pathway to a master's degree at most Irish institutions.

Re-orientation type qualification Professional type qualification This is to upskill a graduate by providing additional specialised knowledge. This is to make a graduate eligible in order to enter a profession. For example, a Higher Diploma in Statistics (HDipStats) is designed to offer additional skills in statistics. For example, a Higher Diploma in Education (HDipEd) makes a graduate eligible to register for and practice teaching.

Graduate diplomas usually span one year of full-time study and are enrolled in after you complete your bachelor’s. It will approximately cost you €12,000 for a postgraduate diploma. While each institution has its own set of requirements, the most common include: 2:1 or 2:2 in a bachelor’s degree with an approved equivalent qualification  In case, you don’t meet the entry requirements for the programme but qualify for admission with certain other equivalent criteria, you can reach out to the institution’s admissions office to consider your application Note: Priority is given to applicants with a higher classification of the award. Despite having a shorter duration than a master’s degree, these graduate diplomas hold the same academic level. The main difference between a postgraduate diploma and a master’s degree is that you don’t have to submit a dissertation for a postgraduate diploma. Your performance will be assessed on assignments, exams, and coursework. 

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