DCU Institute of Education
DCU Institute of Education

Graduate Training Elements

Overview

With 40 years of expertise, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a diverse team supervised by globally-recognised faculty members, the DCU Institute of Education is firmly embedded in the national and international research network. Much of our research involves collaboration with academic institutions, private companies and public bodies. Our structured PhD programmes enable postgraduate students to complement their research with critical skills like communication, commercialization and entrepreneurship. This document details a suggested Doctoral Pathway for graduate researchers in the DCU Institute of Education. 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.

Selection and Registration

During the registration, all research students may take a mix of credit-bearing modules (Graduate Training Elements or GTEs), and other non-accredited education opportunities such as workshops, seminars and short courses. These opportunities provide both discipline-specific and transferable skills and knowledge to support students in their research and enhance their research qualification. Engagement in these activities is an important aspect of the graduate research experience.

At least one module should be from the list of discipline-specific modules and one from the list of transferable skills modules. The modules chosen on the structured pathway should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the supervisor and progress reported on the annual PGR2 form. Students should register for their approved GTE Modules during the online registration process.

Progression

The work plan for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with the Supervisor and progress (including confirmation of completion of the Online Research Integrity Training Module and other modules) recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Induction and Training 

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the additional training opportunities offered by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and by the School as appropriate. All students are required to attend the orientation and induction sessions organized by GSO during year one. GSO communicates details of their training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. First-year students are also required to take the Online Research Integrity Training module during year one of their studies. Non-accredited workshops and seminars are communicated to students via GSO, faculty, school and IoE Chair of Postgraduate Studies by Research at the beginning of each semester.

Core Discipline Specific Modules  I
  • EDU1059: Applied Mixed Methods Approaches to Educational Research - 5 ECTS (Sem 2)
  • EDU1061: Applying Qualitative Approaches to Educational Research - 5 ECTS (Sem 2)
  • EDU1060: Applying Quantitative Approaches to Educational Research - 5 ECTS (Sem 2)
  • EDU1185: Becoming a Researcher in Education - 5 ECTS (Sem 1)
Elective Modules  
  • ESC1016: English for Academic Purposes - 5 ECTS
  • BAA1007: Writing Academic Publications - 5 ECTS
Non-accredited Training Workshops and Masterclasses 
  • Graduate Studies Office Training Suite
  • Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
  • Postgraduate Tutor and Demonstrating Programme
  • Research Integrity Online Training Module 
  • DCU IoE Unconference
  • Research in Progress Seminars (RiPS)
  • ‘Tell It Straight’ Communications Competition
  • NVivo Training Level 1
  • SPSS Training Level 1

Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the Faculty and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD/Masters by Research.

Approval Date: 27/05/2024