Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Prospective students are encouraged to contact possible supervisors to discuss PhD projects before application. See our faculty pages for the areas of research expertise.

UCD Philosophy runs a structured PhD programme of typically four years of full-time study. In their first year, doctoral candidates are required to successfully complete three graduate modules, up to two of which may be taken at Trinity College. After this, they complete a dissertation of approximately 80,000 words under the guidance of a doctoral panel. The panel is made up of the primary supervisor with whom the student works most closely, and two other members of staff.

There is also the option to finish earlier by writing an MLitt dissertation, which is half the length and does not have such stringent requirements of originality.

We have significant placement success with our PhD graduates, some of whom now work in Philosophy departments across Europe, the United States and China.

Recognising the PhD as a professional training for academia, UCD Philosophy supports its graduate researchers in several ways:

Candidates are encouraged to take part in the numerous professional conferences and workshops held at the university and to travel to others abroad in their research areas,
Candidates are facilitated in running conferences and workshops of their own, as well as organising and participating in reading groups/research seminars,
Importantly, all doctoral candidates have the opportunity to gain valuable teaching experience by tutoring undergraduate courses (and are of course remunerated accordingly). Some opportunities to give occasional lectures may be provided to advanced candidates.

To be eligible to enter one of UCD’s PhD programmes, a candidate must have reached a high honours standard at the examination for the primary degree. In some cases, a Master’s degree may also be required. In certain cases, a candidate may be able to provide other evidence to the School in order to satisfy the entry requirements of the programme.

English language requirements: 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).