Entry Requirements

Admission onto the UCD Smurfit School PhD is subject to stringent entrance criteria, the submission of a proposal outlining your intended line of research, references and, where appropriate, proof of linguistic and academic ability.

Entry Requirements

Please submit original/certified copy of your transcript along with your application

Applicants must also submit a 1000-word research proposal outlining:

• The chosen topic
• The nature, scope and methodology of study
• The relevance or importance of the topic
• A preliminary literature review
• Please submit your research proposal along with your application

Two references attesting to the applicant’s intellectual ability, maturity and motivation. Two original references are required.

Please arrange for referees to post their references to the Centre For Doctoral Research, Smurfit School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin or e-mail directly to jane.omara@ucd.ie. If posted, the reference should be on headed notepaper of the referee's institution. If emailed, then the email must be sent from the referee's work email.

Applications remain incomplete until the receipt of Original References and must be received by relevant application deadlines (where applicable)

Please submit a copy of your scholarly work along with your application (e.g. masters dissertation, undergraduate individual project)

For non-native English speakers (except those whose primary degree/masters degree was taken in English), an English language qualification is required. Please submit original/certified copy of your English language qualification results along with your application

A Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score may be requested for some PhD programmes.

Admissions

Before submitting an application, potential candidates are encouraged to consult the subject area webpages for the Business School or those of the other UCD Colleges to identify a suitable supervisor(s). Potential candidates should contact them directly by email (attaching research proposal, CV, etc) to request if they would be interested in supervising them. 

After securing supervision support, potential candidates can then submit an application and other materials using the on-line system.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to have secured funding for the duration of their studies (4 years minimum) prior to commencement. A guide to estimated costs is available here.

Applications are accepted on on-going basis through our On-line Application Form.

Next Intake : Next Intake : September 2023. Application Closing date 30th June 2023.

Fees

*The minimum registration period for a part-time PhD is six years.

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year. Read more here.