PhD Programme

course overview

DCU Business School is characterised by a vibrant research community and we provide unrivalled research support to postgraduate research students.

We currently offer the following research programmes:

PhD Programme (full-time and part-time)
Masters by Research Programme (full-time and part-time)

Undertaking a research degree facilitates in-depth study in a discipline in which the student already has a good academic grounding. DCU Business School also encourages inter-disciplinary research, where the student has appropriate knowledge in cognate areas. While the main focus for each research candidate is to complete a piece of original research, presented in thesis format, students are also supported in developing a range of skills and competencies through taught modules and other learning opportunities.

The research programme also provides for the development of skills in organising, undertaking, presenting, and managing research projects that will stand to the graduate in whatever career he or she pursues afterwards.

Duration of Programme:

Programme	Minimum Registration Period	Typical Registration Period	Maximum Registration Period
PhD (Full Time)	3 years	4 years	5 years
PhD (Part Time)	5 years	6 years	7 years
Research Masters (Full Time)	2 years	2 years	3 years
Research Masters (Part Time)	3 years	3-4 years	5 years

Why Do a PhD?

Having a research degree marks you out as someone with both specialist, expert knowledge in your discipline and the ability and commitment to manage and complete a demanding and challenging piece of academic research. DCU Business School PhD researchers are supported throughout their research programme. Students are supervised by an expert panel and are expected to engage in the school’s vibrant research community through attending research seminars, doctoral colloquia and writing retreats. Students are also encouraged and supported to present at national and international conferences and to publish their work in scholarly articles.

Currently, we have over 50 post-graduate students, registered on research programmes. Their research topics reflect the diverse nature of the School’s research activities and our research strengths.

Accreditation information

DCU Business School has been awarded accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s oldest and most prestigious global accrediting body for business schools. AACSB accreditation is widely recognised as the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools.

DCU Business School is ranked in the top 90 Business Schools in Europe in the 2020 Financial Times Ranking, one of only three Irish Business Schools to achieve this ranking. The Financial Times Ranking for Business Schools is one of the most highly acknowledged and widely cited authorities on quality and performance of institutions globally.

Career Prospects

DCU Business School students have successfully secured employment in academic institutions in Ireland, the UK and beyond. 46 students graduated in the five year period between 2018 and 2023, securing employment with leading Irish and international universities and in public and private institutions.

For example, past students have secured academic appointments in Trinity College (Ireland), Maynooth University (Ireland), University of Limerick (Ireland), University of Huddersfield Business School (UK), University of Warwick (UK), Ashridge Leadership Centre (UK), University of Reading (UK), Frederick University (Cyprus), University of Applied Sciences, Munich (Germany), Universität der Bundeswehr, Munich (Germany), Forman Christian College (Pakistan), Saint Augustine University of Tanzania and Queens University Belfast.

Part-time students who already work in professional roles, and complete their PhD’s part-time, report significant career progression as a result of their doctoral studies. Recent full time graduates have secured industry positions in Price Waterhouse Cooper and the Department of Finance.

Step 1: Securing the support of a supervisor.

For guidance on finding a potential supervisor and the application procedures please see DCU Business School Staff Profiles and DCU Graduate Studies Application Procedures. When contacting a potential supervisor, it is useful to provide details of your academic record, work experience and research interests. If you have a draft research proposal at this stage it is also helpful to attach that, bearing in mind that it is likely to require revision before you submit an application. Once you have secured a supervisor, you can submit an application.

Step 2: Apply through the Student Application Portal.

Note this cannot be done without the support of a potential supervisor. Your application will be processed and if it meets , you will be called for an interview.

General Entry Requirements

For admission to the Masters By Research candidates must hold:

A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualification
At least 3 years’ relevant managerial experience

*Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree (and meet the experience requirement) may, based on the Supervisor’s recommendation, still be offered a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in relevant modules on their undergraduate programme.

When Preparing Your Research Proposal You Must Ensure That You:

Clearly outline your chosen research question
Display your familiarity with relevant literature relating to your overall research question in appropriate research journals
Show how your question is located in the relevant research literature, indicate the contribution your research will make to this body of research, and suggest possible methodologies that may be appropriate for your study.

More information and guidelines for writing a research proposal are available here.

Please note that if there are no members of faculty who have undertaken, or are interested in undertaking, research closely related to that of a proposal, it is unlikely that the proposal will be accepted. Therefore, you should ensure that your proposed topic is close to the research interests of one or more members of faculty. You may establish this through correspondence with relevant members of faculty and by viewing the research profiles of our faculty members.

Application Submission Details

All applicants must submit:

Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
A detailed Personal statement, details of professional qualification/s or significant work experience.
Please include your CV and details of relevant experience.
Where relevant, evidence of competence in the English language as per entry requirements for DCU Business School. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml .
Please upload one academic reference and one professional reference.

Fees

PhD and Research Masters Fees (per annum):

	EU Tuition Fees		Non EU Tuition Fees
	Full Time	Part Time	Full Time	Part Time
DCU Business School	€4,905	€2,942	€10,000	€6,000