phd public policy ireland

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Structured PhD in Politics

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Brief Description

The Structured PhD in Politics is a four year, full-time programme designed to provide students with the training they need to become professional political scientists. It combines advanced training in the methods of political science research with specialised training in at least one disciplinary subfield and the completion of an original thesis

The Structured PhD in Politics is a four year, full-time programme designed to provide students with the training they need to become professional political scientists. It combines advanced training in the methods of political science research with specialised training in at least one disciplinary subfield and the completion of an original thesis.

The taught component of the programme is largely concentrated in the first year of study. Requirements include core modules in Research Methods, Comparative Politics and Contemporary Political Theory, as well as specialised modules tailored to your disciplinary interests and needs as a developing researcher. Students may exit the programme after the taught component with a Graduate Diploma in Politics or (after completing a dissertation) with a Masters in Politics.

Following the taught component, students will complete a substantial and original piece of research, under the supervision of one or more faculty members. The Department of Politics and Public Administration is particularly eager to welcome students who wish to conduct research in areas in which the Department has research strengths.  

Following the taught component, students will complete a substantial and original piece of research, under the supervision of one or more faculty members. The Department of Politics and Public Administration is particularly eager to welcome students who wish to conduct research in areas in which the Department has research strengths, such as:

Comparative Politics International Relations European Politics Peace and Development Studies Public Policy and Administration Irish Politics Political Theory

Applicants should hold a first class or 2.1 primary degree in a social science discipline, or an interdisciplinary degree that incorporates a substantial social science component. These requirements may be waived where an applicant has a taught postgraduate degree in a social science discipline. In all cases, applicants must submit a satisfactory provisional research proposal, and must be proficient in the use of English for academic purposes

Fees for all postgraduate programmes are revised on an annual basis.  Detailed information on fee schedules and fee regulations is available on the Fees Office website.  

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Graduate and Professional Studies

+353 (0)61 234377 University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

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Study options.

• International

What will I learn?

The PhD programme in Public Policy is a research degree that is normally undertaken full-time over 3-4 years (with a part-time option over a longer period).

This programme provides an interdisciplinary graduate learning and research environment for doctoral studies in the field of public policy. Pooling the resources of the UCD College of Social Sciences & Law and the College of Business, the programme provides doctoral training with considerable flexibility and breadth of interest.

Our Programmes form part of the UCD Structured PhD programme. Our expert faculty all conduct research in their own fields and welcome expressions of interest from prospective students wishing to study in areas including, but not limited to, those in the list below. Applicants should contact a member of faculty whose research interests match their own.

UCD’s PhD programme has been designed to not only provide first class supervision in relation to a student’s own research, but also to support that research through access to a broad range of taught modules covering both general research methods training and specific subjects.

Which department am I in?

Full time (4 years).

Please check with institution

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

1 September 2025

UCD College of Social Sciences and Law

Republic of Ireland

Entry requirements

For international students.

Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned a honours bachelors degree (NFQ Level 8) from a recognised university in a relevant social science subject such as Political Science, International Relations, Social Policy, Sociology, Geography, Economics, Global Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, EU Studies, Law/International Law, Accounting & Finance, Business etc. with at least Upper Second Class Honours, or its equivalent (an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or higher in the American system). Relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.

Note that meeting the requirements do not guarantee admission. Applicants in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted conditional on satisfactory completion of their undergraduate degree.

IELTS - An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version; A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +. In the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 250 is required. A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (IBT).

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

About University College Dublin 1 Review

UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.

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You are here Programmes > Postgraduate > PhD in Political Science > Admission Requirements and Application Procedure

Admission Requirements

We seek outstanding and motivated graduates from different disciplinary, cultural and educational backgrounds for entry to our doctoral programme. The research interests of staff cover a wide range of subject areas from transitions to democracy through political philosophy to the politics of electoral systems and the Department has gained international renown for its work in all of these areas.

Applications are particularly welcome from students who wish to conduct research in areas in which the Department has particular research strengths : comparative European politics, European Union politics and policies, European Law, Irish politics, public policies, electoral systems, political parties including extreme right parties, public opinion and electoral behaviour, the politics of international law, international organisations, and political theory. The Department also invites applications from students whose research develops innovative quantitative methods, such as the quantitative analysis of political texts, as this is another strong area of research among staff.

Application procedure and contacts

In your application you are required to indicate your proposed field of research.  You should, therefore look at the research page and the research profiles of staff members to see if one of the faculty members is a potential supervisor. Although we encourage preliminary contacts in advance of working up a research project, staff members are best able to respond to emails containing both a CV and a short research project proposal, including some discussion of the relevant scholarly literature. Much as we would like to take on every good student who applies, there are some topics that we simply do not have the expertise to supervise, and this can be cleared up by informal contact in advance of any formal application.

• All applicants must fulfil the College entry requirements
• International applicants must fulfil the international student entry requirements
• Applicants who have not been educated through the medium of English must fulfill the College Postgraduate English language requirements

Application Documentation:

Applicants must upload the following documentation via the online application portal (all documents must be supplied in English, or the original document plus official translation submitted):

• Copy of full and official academic transcript(s)
• Copy of degree certificate(s)
• Research Proposal
• Detailed CV
• Two academic references
• Valid English language test result (if applicable - see above)

Apply for this programme

Many of the questions you might have prior to application should be answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have questions not dealt with there, these may be directed to the Course Administrator or Course Director of the PhD programme, Dr Alexander Held . Queries regarding application portal functionality and fees should be directed to Academic Registry .

UCC University College Cork

Department of government & politics roinn léann an rialtais agus na polaitíochta.

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Department of government and politics phd programme.

The Department of Government and Politics offers a three year PhD, involving in-depth research under the supervision of a member of academic staff. This may be taken full-time over three years or part-time over six years.

Our staff have a wide range of research interests, from political parties and elections, to the European Union and Northern Ireland, to political philosophy and deliberative democracy, to political economy and international conflict, and to gender politics and local government. More information is available on staff members’ individual webpages, available here .

Candidates for the PhD must usually have obtained at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, at a relevant primary degree examination.

The progress of PhD students is monitored by a Graduate Studies Committee, chaired by the PhD Director. Over the course of the academic year, PhD students attend the Department of Government and Politics seminar series, and are required to make at least one presentation of their research to this forum. Methodology seminars are also provided during the year to support the research process. PhD students are treated as members of the Department’s research community and are assigned to one of the Department’s two core research clusters (Irish Politics; International Relations/EU/Political Theory). These clusters meet regularly to discuss research, collaborative projects and funding applications.

From October 2013 all incoming PhD/PhD track students register for a structured PhD. The UCC model of structured PhD education comprises a programme of supportive and developmental elements, with a stated minimum level of 15 credits of coursework and training. In addition, all students are supervised by a supervisory team, or have a sole supervisor and a PhD advisor. In the Team Model there are two or more staff members with responsibility for the direction of the student’s research. In the Advisor Model there is a sole supervisor and an Advisor who provides non-academic support and pastoral care to the student.

For a 3 year PhD, the maximum number of credits that can be undertaken is 30 credits. For a 4 year PhD, the maximum number of credits that can be undertaken is 90 credits.

Applications

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but there are four start dates: October, January, April and July.

If you are interested in applying to undertake a PhD in the Department of Government and Politics, you need to submit an application, a central processing point for all applications to read for higher degrees at Irish universities. This application will include a research proposal of approximately 1,500-2,000 words. This document should indicate an area of research interest and a research question/issue to be addressed. In terms of identifying a research interest, applicants are encouraged to consult the web pages of Departmental academic staff and should feel free to contact individual members of the Department for assistance/advice. Applicants are also invited to contact the PhD Programme Director Dr Clodagh Harris ( [email protected] ) who will likewise be happy to advise on the drafting of research proposals. Please note that the proposal is a starting point and is likely to evolve and change during the course of the PhD programme.

Applicants should consider the following framework or structure when drafting the proposal:

▪   Title

▪   Research question/issue/hypothesis

▪   Research context/background

▪   Previous relevant research and/or literatures

▪   Proposed methodology e.g. desk-based research / interviews / participant-observation / focus groups / surveys, etc

▪   Research plan and timelines

▪   Draft bibliography

Steps in the Application Process:

(1) Contact PhD Director and potential supervisors to discuss draft research proposal/prospective application and inquire about any scholarship opportunities.

(2) Once a member of staff has agreed in principle to supervise your research, apply online through UCC's application system . Applications should be submitted at least three months before the desired start date (October, January, April, or July).

(3) Await decision. Decisions may take up to two months. Once a decision has been reached you will receive an email alert from the Postgraduate Application Centre to check your application status on the ‘My Account’ section of the online application system. It is important that you check your email regularly.

Application for our postgraduate programmes is online at www.ucc.ie/apply . Please check out the closing dates and entry requirements at Courses | University College Cork (ucc.ie) before making your application. The application fee is €50 (for up to two postgraduate programmes). You will be asked to upload documents to support your application as part of the application process. You can upload documents to the application portal once you have submitted your application. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the Graduate Studies Office/ International Education Office through their  web enquiry form .

Further information about the application process can be found at  www.ucc.ie/apply ,   Study Research | University College Cork (ucc.ie)  and https://www.ucc.ie/en/cacsss/grads/future_postgrads/research_courses/phds/ .

Funding, Fees & Scholarships

Fees for the academic year as a full-time student are €5,770 (Home/EU) or €11,540 (International). PhD students are liable for the full fee for four years. Students registering for a fourth year of study, whose fees are not supported by external funding (e.g. through a government or research grant, or industry contract), may apply for a partial fee waiver.

There are a number of postgraduate scholarships available through UCC. Details of these are provided in the College Calendar: www.ucc.ie/calendar/scholarship/sch004. html

PhD Scholarship: Fee Waiver for Non-EU Nationals

This scholarship consists of a waiver of a portion of the normal fee. Non-EU students can apply for a scholarship on the same application form as for their PhD programme. This can be downloaded from the International Education Office webpage: www.ucc.ie/en/international

Irish Research Council

The Irish Research Council ( www.research.ie ) operates a suite of interlinked Research Schemes, such as the IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships and Government of Ireland Post-Doctoral Fellowships which fund research at pre- and post-doctoral levels.

A considerable number of students and staff have been successful in their applications to the IRC. The Graduate Studies Office provides grant preparation sessions on ‘Writing an IRC Postgraduate Scholarship Application’. Drop-in sessions are also provided for students prior to the submission date of the application where they can receive expert advice from academics. Attendance at these workshops and the one-on-one drop-in sessions is highly recommended.

NUI Travelling Studentships

These grants are available to NUI graduates in the Humanities and Social Sciences. For further information see  NUI Awards - Travelling Doctoral Studentships | National University of Ireland

Local Authority Grants

Applying to your local authority for a grant is another means of acquiring funding for your postgraduate study, although recent changes in the scheme have meant a reduction in the number of eligible applicants. Please visit the website of your local authority for more information or the Citizens Information Board which provides advice in terms of eligibility for these grants:  http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/

Further information about fees and funding is available here: Fees and Funding | University College Cork (ucc.ie) .

Postgraduate Handbook

PhD Handbook 2020-2021

Department of Government & Politics

Roinn léann an rialtais agus na polaitíochta.

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PhD Politics & International Relations

Prospective phd students.

• PhD Politics & International Relations
• PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science
• PhD Global Human Development
• UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship
• IRC Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships

PhD Politics and International Relations

Duration: 3-4 Years Full Time Entry to the programme is in September only. 

Programme Overview

We offer a structured PhD programme that includes (1) training in research methods, (2) coursework in two subject-areas of politics and international relations, (3) regular contact with a Research Studies Panel composed of academic staff with expertise related to the students interests, and (4) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research. All students must designate primary and secondary subjects of specialization within politics and international relations and complete PhD seminars covering each subject's core scholarly literature.  Conditional upon approval by the Research Studies Panel, a student's second subject seminar may be taken in a cognate discipline beyond the School. Students will also take courses in research design, and qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, students have the option of auditing additional postgraduate modules (in SPIRe, the College of Social Sciences and Law, and in neighbouring institutions) in order to deepen their substantive knowledge and/or methodological skills.

In general, SPIRe only accepts full-time students. We can, however, accept part-time students under the following conditions:

Entry Requirements

Applicants to our research degree programmes must have completed and earned a minimum of a 2.1 grade (GPA: 3.6) in a taught Masters (MA, MSc, MLitt, etc.) programme in the area of politics and international relations or a cognate field and articulate a research interest that fits with the expertise of SPIRe’s academic staff. If you are interested in exploring your research plans further with a member of staff, please feel free to contact us individually.

A list of SPIRe academics and their research profiles can be found here

General Information for Incoming Students

A Welcome Note from the Dean of Graduate Studies, with information on registration, fees, support services and orientation, can be found  here

When Can I Apply?

There are three application deadlines for the Politics and International Relations programme:

• Applicants to the  Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship : TBC
• IRC Government of Ireland Doctoral Scholarship 2026 applicants: TBC
• All other funded applicants: a rolling deadline between 1st October 2024 and 31st July 2025 (for non-EU applicants the deadline is 30th June 2025 )  

Note: The Politics and International Relations PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC scholarship or alternative external funding, to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible.

In addition to writing the PhD thesis, SPIRe PhD students in Politics and International Relations must complete 50 credits of coursework , at least 40 of which should be completed by the time of the transfer to Stage II, which takes place within 12-18 months on the program.

Of these 50 credits, 30 will be devoted to required methodologically oriented courses (focusing on research design, quantitative methods and qualitative methods). The remaining 20 required credits (and any additional credits beyond 50) can be filled with modules selected in consultation with the student's supervisor.

For details on the 2024-25 modules, see the section titled 'What modules are available to me?' on this page .

There is a wide range of modules available across the College of Social Sciences and Law and the student may register for these, dependent on their research theme, with the permission of their supervisor. For a sample of the various modules on offer  click here .

And to understand the overall PhD structure and cycle at UCD, you can click here for the PhD in a nutshell .

UCD/TCD Collaboration SPIRe collaborates with the Department of Political Science in Trinity College Dublin (TCD). We currently share modules on quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, TCD operates a Coding Camp for incoming students, as a preparatory course for Quants I. Students enrolling on the Politics and International Relations programme are strongly encouraged to attend this camp. It usually takes place prior to the start of term. Ask the PhD Administrator for more information.

Application Procedure

Applications will be considered when the documentation below, including references, has been emailed to  ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) [email protected] Note: Applicants must have a minimum grade of 2.1 (GPA: 3.6) in a relevant Master's degree.

• Application Form (fillable word doc)
• IRC Application Form (Not yet available)
• Cover letter , stating reasons for interest in Politics and International programme.  
• provisional thesis title
• a statement of the research question
• a brief literature review that points to research gaps the PhD project could address
• an outline of theoretical approaches considered
• a brief discussion of the proposed methodology
• Copies of ALL  Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
• C.V. or Resume (2 pages maximum)
• Evidence of English language competence , where non-native English speaking applicants have NOT obtained previous university degrees from a university in an English-speaking country. Applicants must provide a cert that complies with UCD Minimum English Language Requirements  and the certificate should be no more than 2 years old.
• Two academic references:  These should be sent directly by the referees to (opens in a new window) [email protected]  with the applicant's name in the Subject field. If sent by email, they must be from an institutional email address and ideally on institutional headed paper. SPIRe reserves the right to verify all references. Sending only the contact details of referees is not sufficient.  

This documentation should be emailed to Ms Dara Gannon (School Manager) at  (opens in a new window) [email protected]   Applications will only be considered if all of the above has been included.

The submission of original academic transcripts and other documentation will be required as a condition of the final award of a place on the programme. 

How does the application process work?

• Once all documents, including references, have been received, the application will undergo an initial evaluation by the review committee to assess that it satisfies the minimal requirements in terms of academic achievement and language skills 
• Once it has been confirmed that the applicant is, in principle, eligible to join the SPIRe PhD programme, the application gets circulated among the SPIRe academic staff to determine if a potential supervisor is available and interested in taking on the applicant. 
• If someone is potentially interested in supervising / co-supervising, a Zoom/Skype call is usually arranged between the potential supervisor(s) and the applicant so that further questions on the project can be asked. The PhD Director will often sit in on the call to ask general questions and/or provide more information on the programme. 
• Following the call, if the potential supervisor(s) is willing to take on the applicant as a student, the registration process is initiated by the PhD administrator.
• If an application is not deemed suitable, a letter will be sent to the applicant informing them of the decision. SPIRe does not provide individual feedback.

Please note that the application review process does not take place until after the the relevant application deadline. For Honohan Scholarship applicants the application deadline is TBC and for 2026 IRC candidates the deadline is TBC. There is a rolling deadline for other externally-funded students.

Honohan Scholarship Applicants The Honohan Doctoral Scholarship covers a full EU/non-EU fee remission, plus an annual stipend of €25,000. The deadline for applications is TBC.  

IRC Applicants The  (opens in a new window) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme , funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The 2026 call will open in September 2025. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended. See this page for more information. If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

Please note:   If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first , even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. 

Note: The Politics and International Relations PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC doctoral scholarship or alternative external funding to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible. 

The FT fee for 2025-26 is €7,130

The PT fee for 2025-26 is €4,710

EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2025-26 

Non-EU Fees

The FT fee for 2025-26 is €13,730

The PT fee for 2024-25 is €9,200

Non-EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2025-26

Further information relating to fees      

Fees published are inclusive of a Student Centre Levy (€254) which must be paid by all students. Note: The Honohan or IRC scholarships do not cover the Student Levy.

Helpful Links

• Information on estimated living costs in Ireland can be found on the UCD Global website ' page"> UCD Global website
• Specific information for international students can be found at UCD Global ' page"> UCD Global

Scholarships and Funding

Spire scholarships.

SPIRe operates an Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship , which provides a fee remission of the scheduled EU or non-EU fee plus a tax-free annual stipend of €25k.  The 2025 application round is not yet open.

Click here for more details

IRC Scholarships

The (opens in a new window) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme , funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The current round is closed. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended.

If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

• (opens in a new window) Employment Based Postgraduate Programme
• (opens in a new window) Enterprise Partnership Scheme

Please note: If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first, even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. The SPIRe application deadline for the 2026 IRC round is TBC.

Other Scholarships

Universities of Ireland offers a  (opens in a new window) North/South Postgraduate Scholarship  to encourage graduate study across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Other UCD scholarships   

Faculty and Current Students

A list of SPIRe academics and their research interests can be accessed here

A list of current PhD students and their respective supervisors is available here

International Students

• Specific information for international students planning to attend UCD can be found at UCD Global ' page"> UCD Global
• Supports for students and general information about the campus and the student experience can be found here ' page"> here
• Further information on estimated living costs and grants can be found here ' page"> here . Please visit the Irish Dept of Justice website ' page" target="_blank" rel="noopener" tabindex="0"> (opens in a new window) Irish Dept of Justice website for information on obtaining a visa
• Further visa information can be found on the (opens in a new window) Citizen's Information website
• And information regarding working in Ireland can be accessed here ' page"> here

SPIRe Seminars and Events

Throughout your time in SPIRe, you will have access to a variety of university and school events, workshops and seminars to choose from. Some of the school offerings are below:

The SPIRe Seminar Series offers a variety of seminars from both school faculty and external speakers.

The SPIRe Early Career Researcher Forum provides guidance to early-career researchers and facilitates informal discussions between SPIRe faculty and PhD students.  

The Connected_Politics Laboratory has a series of events and seminars throughout the year.

As does the Dublin Political Theory Workshop

Information on university workshops can be found here

The programme is designed for all those whose career plans require a capacity for independent and rigorous research, a broad understanding of political structures and processes, and expertise in a particular area of political analysis. 

Career Support

Current and recently graduated, UCD Graduate Researchers (PhDs and Research Masters students), can book a  60 minute  appointment with a dedicated Career & Skills Consultant to discuss:

• Individual Career Planning
• Academic and non-Academic Career Options 
• Job Applications
• Interviews and Presentations

More detail can be found  here

UCD School of Politics & International Relations Room G301 Newman Building University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland

PhD Administrator

Ms Dara Gannon (School Manager) Email:  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

PhD Director  (opens in a new window) Professor Ben Tonra Email:  (opens in a new window) [email protected]

UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

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School of Policy and Practice PhD Scholarship

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University. It is proud to be one of the world’s leading young universities and among the world’s top 2% globally. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders. DCU has over 20,000 students in five faculties spread across three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra area of North Dublin. Thanks to its innovative approach to teaching and learning, the University offers a ‘transformative student experience’ that helps to develop highly sought-after graduates. DCU is currently No. 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate and for graduate income (CSO). DCU is a research-intensive University and is home to a number of SFI-funded Research Centres. The University participates in a range of European and international research partnerships. DCU is also the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property. As a ‘People First’ institution, DCU is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - a University that helps staff and students to thrive. The University is a leader in terms of its work to increase access to education and is placed in the world’s Top 10 for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

DCU School of Policy and Practice

The School of Policy and Practice, DCU Institute of Education, is characterised by high-impact national and international research, innovative teaching and learning, and extensive engagement with local, national, and international communities. Our staff and graduate students are nationally and internationally renowned experts in the areas of education policy and professional studies, consistently disseminating research via high-impact publications and securing competitive research funding through various funding schemes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus Plus, SCOTENS and the Government of Ireland Shared Island initiative. Academics in the school contribute to a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and outreach programmes offered at DCU, in addition to authentic and collaborative partnerships with schools and other education stakeholders. The school is also home to a vibrant community of Irish and international research students and university research centres: CARPE (Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice); EQI (The Centre for Evaluation Quality and Inspection); FETRC (Further Education Training Research Centre) and Create21 (Centre for Collaborative Research Across Teacher Education). Finally, with civic and public engagement to the fore, the School of Policy and Practice also engages with local, national, and international organisations and communities via various initiatives such as the Partnership for Learning programme, the DCU Changemaker Schools, the Northern Ireland Shaped Professional Learning Network initiative, and Volunteer Ireland among others.

The purpose of this PhD is to explore an aspect of education that is within the following thematic areas:

• Education in Divided Societies
• Educational Attainment, Poverty and Policy on the Island of Ireland
• Educational Policy and Practice
• The use of Learning Analytics for Educational Evaluation and Planning
• Educational Evaluation
• Culturally Responsive Education
• Evidence-Informed Practice and Data-Informed Decision Making
• Community-based Educational Evaluation and Planning

Thematic areas in line with the government of Ireland's shared Island initiative will also be considered.

We are seeking an excellent PhD applicant willing to carry out research from a multidisciplinary and/or comparative perspective in line with the identified thematic areas. The selected candidate will receive an annual non-taxable stipend of €22,000, with EU fees payable each year for a minimum of four years. The successful candidate will start their PhD no later than December 2024.

The successful candidate will be required to work full-time on their PhD by publication and to contribute to selected research and teaching activities. Please see Appendix A for information on PhD by publication.

The successful candidate’s specific duties will include:

• Undertaking research leading to a PhD;
• Producing academic papers and reports throughout the course of the PhD;
• Identifying and making funding applications for further research on related topics;
• Attending research meetings and producing reports based on the work or on other general work happening in the school or centre;
• Contribute to teaching relevant to particular expertise.

The selected candidate will be based at the School of Policy and Practice at DCU Institute of Education. To further enhance the PhD student’s profile and allow the PhD student to publish in high-impact journals with a network of internationally renowned researchers, the successful candidate will also be provided with data sets derived from existing projects such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus Plus.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a specialised interest in at least one of the thematic areas and have developed a research proposal that will lead to a research degree or PhD.  The successful candidate will be required to register for a full-time research degree (PhD) at DCU Institute of Education. This scholarship is open to EU fee-eligible applicants only. 

You will be required to provide supporting documentation to confirm your EU status before a decision on your fee status can be confirmed.  The successful candidate will be allocated a supervisory panel for the duration of their studies which will contain at least one primary supervisor and an Independent Panel member.  The successful applicant will meet the eligibility requirements of Postgraduate Research students at IoE, Dublin City University as follows:

PhD:  Candidates holding an appropriate Master’s degree obtained by research may apply for direct entry to the PhD register to conduct research in a cognate area. 

PhD-track:  Candidates with a taught Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline with first or second-class honours, and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for entry to the PhD-track register with a view to proceeding towards a PhD. Such candidates will undergo a confirmation procedure, as outlined in the Academic Regulations , before being admitted to the PhD register.  

Applicants should indicate if they have any additional stipend or alternative external sources of funding. DCU School of Policy and Practice scholars on an annual stipend of €22,000 cannot normally be in receipt of a concurrent scholarship or educational grant greater than €4,000 per annum during the period of their scholarship.

Application Guidelines

To Apply: 

Please email the following documents to [email protected] .   

• Cover letter 
• Full Curriculum Vitae 
• Copy of transcripts of qualifications 
• Research proposal – please use the Institute of Education Research Proposal Form available here

The closing date for receipt of application documentation is 12 midday GMT on Friday, 7 th of June 2024.

Interview Dates

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview in person or via Zoom if necessary.

Interviews will take place in the week beginning 17 th  of June 2024.

Informal inquiries can be sent to Dr. Martin Brown, Head of School of Policy and Practice (  [email protected] ) with the subject heading: Your Name: PhD Scholarship Informal Inquiry.

PhD by Publication:

The PhD thesis by publication should consist of: a. a set of published papers and/or papers accepted for publication; and b. an accompanying set of chapters no less than 10,000 words in length which sets the papers in the context of existing literature, gives a detailed overview of the theme(s) common to all papers included in the thesis, argues the coherence of these publications, and justifies the methodology adopted. This overarching critical document should evaluate the contribution that the research in the submitted publications makes to the advancement of knowledge in the research area. The maximum word length of the thesis, including the accompanying set of chapters, selected papers, references and notes, is 90,000. Only peer-reviewed book chapters or papers (published journal papers or papers accepted for publication) in reputable peer-reviewed outputs for the discipline(s) in question can be considered for inclusion when a thesis is submitted for examination. 

A minimum of three papers is required; however, the number of papers may be higher and vary across disciplines, in the length of individual papers, and in terms of the extent of the candidate’s contribution thereto.

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Public Policy (MA, PDip)

Course overview, course outline, why choose this course, course fees.

• Find Out More

Watch course video presentation here .

The MA in Public Policy prepares its graduates to work in government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, international organisations, businesses and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policymaking. In addition to core policy and research training modules, it offers a field trip to Brussels to examine EU policymaking and specialised modules in specific policy areas including: Policy in the Digital Age; Advocacy and Development; Gender; Peace and Conflict; Disability; Ageing; Child and Family; Ocean and Marine; Urban Policy; Social Welfare; and Negotiation; as well as an optional module in data analytics for public policy. At a time when policy formulation and implementation is increasingly subject to political scrutiny and negotiation, the course emphasises the political contexts in which policy is made and implemented and the development of digital government and new forms of public consultation and participation.  

The programme is aimed at  Arts and Social Science graduates seeking a qualification that will help them to secure policy-related employment; graduates from other fields including Commerce and Law seeking to improve their employment prospects; graduates interested in pursuing PhD research, particularly in areas where University of Galway has specialist policy expertise. 

The objectives of the programme are to:

• Equip students with theoretical knowledge of policy-making processes and key issues such as participation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Enhance students' skills in communication, innovative thinking, negotiation, presentation, teamwork, and writing skills
• Offer direct experience of contributing to policy-making processes, analysing current policies, and suggesting solutions to policy problems while working in teams and as individuals.
• Introduce students to expert knowledge on a range of key national and international policy issues.

Introduce students to the concept of participation in policy-making, with particular emphasis on the  use of public consultations.

As an international student you might be able to apply for a scholarship and here is a link to those available at University of Galway.  NOTE: this MA is now eligible for the Irish-Palestine Fellowship Aid Scholarship , information on that scheme is here .

Applications and Selections

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

Who Teaches this Course

• Dr Michele Crepaz, Political Science and Sociology
• Professor Alan Ahearne, Director of the Whitaker Institute
• Professor Alma McCarthy, Management
• Dr Kevin O'Sullivan

Requirements and Assessment

Requirements

• Personal statement: all applicants must enclose a typed personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining why you wish to undertake the programme(s) of your choice, outlining how it fits into your career objectives,  and discussing your research interests .
• Referees: you are required to supply two references. One must be an academic reference (in the case of applicants currently undertaking studies) OR an employer (in the case of applicants currently in employment).

In addition, non-University of Galway students are required to provide the following

• Official qualifications and exam results (transcripts) to date: required for all non-University of Galway applicants and for University of Galway graduates who did not receive their undergraduate degrees from University of Galway. Copies of originals must be certified as true copies. Applicants who have still to graduate must send in these on receipt.
• Passport or Birth certificate: non University of Galway-applicants only — a copy of your passport or birth certificate must also be submitted.
• English language competency: if necessary , evidence of English language competency.

Further details can be found here .

Assessment methods include: essays, exams, continuous assessments, policy briefs, policy papers, and the research dissertation.

If the selection committee deems it necessary, applicants can be called for an interview to better assess their application.

Entry Requirements

A primary degree or its equivalent, with Second Class Honours Grade 2 overall. Applicants should also have achieved an upper Second Class Honours degree (2.1) or equivalent, GPAs of at least 3.0 of 4.0 or equivalent for international students, in a relevant subject such as Sociology, Politics, Public or Social Policy, Geography, History, a language, Economics, Business, Law. An interview may, in addition, form part of the application process.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of prior learning (rpl).

1 year, full-time; 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake, qqi/fet fetac entry routes, closing date.

Please view the  offer rounds website.  NOTE: you are advised to apply by 1 July 2024.

Mode of study

Ects weighting, course code.

MA-PUBP (MA); PGD-PUBP (PDip)

Overall structure of the programme

• 40 ECTS core modules
• 20 ECTS  Research Paper
• 30 ECTS optional modules

Core modules (35 ECTS)

These modules provide students with the theoretical and empirical tools that are necessary for the analysis of public policy and the completion of the research dissertation.

• Public Policy and Politics (10 ECTS) reviews the major approaches to the study of public policy, and introduces students to key concepts including the policy cycle, policy stakeholders, public participation, and digital government (Semester 1).
• P olicy Challenges: National, European and Global (10 ECTS) introduces students to contemporary policy challenges at national, European and global levels and to mechanisms for public consultation. It examines how issues make it on to the agenda of decision-makers and prepares students to contribute to policy-making processes through the writing of policy proposals and policy briefs. The module is taught by experts from a range of disciplines across the university including Law, Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Management. There is a particular emphasis on  the use of public consultations (Semester 1).
• Research Methods  and Methodology (10 ECTS) This module aims to give students a solid grounding in research methods. The topics covered include definitions of research, argument and logic, sources of information, tools for information searches, theory and practice of basic qualitative and quantitative research methods (Semester 1).
• Research Workshops (10 ECTS) This module provides workshops relevant to the development of students’ dissertations. The workshops are led by academic staff with diverse and varied research experience. Typical workshop topics include academic writing, critical thinking, literature review, methods selection, working with primary sources, and the development of a research proposal, along with workshops focused on specific fields of research. (Semesters 1 and 2).

SP6145 Research Paper (20 ECTS)

The  Research Paper on an original research topic is completed over the summer months.

Optional modules (30 ECTS)

The optional modules enable students to specialise in areas of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise, and choose a research area for the final r esearch paper . Students can concentrate on a specific policy area by choosing closely-related modules in areas such as Development; Peace and Security; Gender; Ageing; Marine; NGOs and Advocacy.

The field experience module offers students a field trip to Brussels to meet and network with practitioners and visit institutional venues (N.B. availability of this module is subject to public health advice).

LIST OF OPTIONAL MODULES

5 ECTS modules, Semesters 1& 2 

• SP574 Families and Children in Society and Policy

5 ECTS modules, Semester 2 

• SP6128 Field-based Learning (Brussels Field Trip) 
• MK5116 Negotiations
• DEV6102 Data Analytics for Social Sciences 1
• GG6103 Development and Human Rights 
• GG6110 Applied Gender Analyses 
• GG106 Women, Conflict and Human Security
• ENLIGHT Summer School: Equity and Sustainability Transitions

10 ECTS modules, Semester 2 

• SP6143 Urban Public Policy: Smart & Liveable Cities
• SP6149 Conflict, Peace & Security
• SP6120 Irish Politics North and South 
• SP6122 Social and Political Context of Activism and Advocacy 
• GG6109 Gender, Sexuality and Global Health
• HI6100 NGOs in the 20th Century and the Making of the 20th Century World
• LW575 Crime and Disorder
• EC5116 Global Issues in Agricultural, Marine and Renewable Energy Economics
• EC5115 Environmental Economic Modelling
• EC5131 International Policy and Ageing across the Life Course
• DJ6137 Strategic Communication
• DJ6144 Communicating Climate Action and Science
• LW5208 European Consumer Law and Policy
• LW550 Advocacy and Access to Justice 
• SP6127 Professional Experience (Placement)

N.B. Some optional modules require students to have taken certain prerequisite courses. The list of available modules may vary from year to year. Availability of optional modules in some disciplines will be subject to minimum head counts as determined by the disciplines involved.

Assessment methods include: essays, exams, continuous assessments, policy briefs, policy papers, and the research paper .

Career Opportunities

This programme will be particularly useful for students wishing to work in European and international organisations (e.g., EU, Council of Europe, UN agencies) national or local government, public bodies, civil society organisations, NGOs, businesses (e.g., Google, Facebook, LinkedIn), public affairs, consultancy, public relations, journalism, and other fields and organisations that require an expert understanding of policy-making.  

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning outcomes, transferable skills employers value, work placement, related student organisations, fees: tuition, fees: student levy, fees: non eu.

Post Graduate Diploma: EU € TBC  (including levy)   ; Non EU: € TBC  (including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Find out More

Professor Niall Ó Dochartaigh E:   [email protected]

What Our Graduates Say

Odhran Whelehan |   Graduate

I would absolutely recommend studying the MA in Public Policy at NUI Galway. The course prepares you to work in a variety of fields ranging from government to NGOs and civil society organisations. The core modules help to build your understanding of the policy-making process while also affording you the chance to make real-world proposals to both national and European bodies. The variety of modules available allows students to specialise in their own unique area of interest. I was able to build on my undergraduate studies relating to Irish domestic politics while also discovering a new-found interest in urban planning and city design. The networking trip to Brussels also grants students the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the vibrant political system that is the EU. The trip appeals to the group’s variety of interests by engaging with sitting MEPs, lobbying groups, NGO’s and unions. The range of meetings and engagements also allows you to expand your professional network, giving you a distinct advantage over many graduates. Finally, the overall learning experience of the course is greatly enhanced by the level of 1:1 support offered by the lecturers and coordinators.

Katie Harrington |   Graduate

The MA in Public Policy gives an excellent grounding in how policy is created and the challenges and opportunities that it brings. The lecturers are deeply experienced in their fields and offer practical and theoretical insights into policy formation. I particularly enjoyed the fieldwork modules I undertook, including a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels and a work placement in Leinster House. Both offered excellent opportunities to network and make links that may be useful for future career moves. As a mature student, I found the faculty incredibly supportive, responsive, and open to ideas.

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FSU | College of Criminology & Criminal Justice

Florida State University

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Doctoral Program

Considered the best doctoral program in the country as evidenced by multiple articles in The Journal of Criminal Justice Education, the FSU College of Criminology offers you the opportunity to be part of an intellectual community and learn from the most productive scholars in the country. The Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice trains students to conduct original research that generates new insights on issues of scientific and public policy importance. This degree emphasizes comprehensive training in theory, research methods, and statistics delivered by faculty members recently ranked as having the most productive criminology program in the country.

Click on the links below to learn more about our program.

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