Doctoral Studies in Ireland

1. Supervision

Scientific Board or Supervisor?
Supervisor - same personal supervisor for the student’s thesis work on an active/new research area of the department or the supervisor.

Subject Assignment?
Subject assigned in the beginning of doctoral studies, by agreement between the student and supervisor.

Duration?
4 years

Who can be a Supervisor?

• Any professor/lecturer in the department
• Any internal or external researchers can be co-supervisors

2. Development

Course Work:
The students don’t have to take course work during their doctoral degree preparation. However, where the student has a deficiency in a specific area some additional coursework might be prescribed.

Presentation of Work:

• In the department;
• At national conferences (actively encouraged);
• At international conferences.

3. Thesis

Submission of Doctoral Written Thesis:

• Language normally used: ENGLISH. Alternative languages: IRISH or other. Alternative language subject to availability by faculty;
• No credits allocated to the doctoral thesis;
• The doctoral thesis is a previously unpublished substantial written report.

Oral Presentation of Thesis Work:

• Language normally used: ENGLISH. No alternative languages used in general, but subject to availability by faculty;
• Oral presentation for a closed audience with oral examination at closed doors;
• Duration: typical duration of 3 hours with no upper limit.

4. Examination

Thesis Examination Board:

• Composition: one internal examiner, one external examiner, the Chair, supervisor and possible Assistant Dean (4 or 5 elements);
• Selection in consultation with the Head of Department, Assistant Dean and Dean

Evaluation:

• Mark based on the reading of the thesis and the oral presentation of the thesis work, with no grading system for the doctoral degree.
  
• Possible outcomes:
  

• Award degree with no corrections needed;
• Award degree subject to minor corrections usually verified by internal examiner;
• Refer back to student for major correction examined by internal and external examiners, oral at their discretion);
• Reject, but allow student do additional work and resubmit thesis within 12 months with full thesis and oral examination;
• Reject