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Making a Postgraduate Research Application

How to Make an Application

Before making a research application, the applicant may consult and seek approval from the School regarding the proposed programme of study. Additional information for research applicants is also available on the DCU Graduate Studies page. 

Once you have contacted the school, and  identified a supervisor or supervisors, please use the new application portal to begin your application by submitting a Postgraduate Research pre-application form. 

NOTE: If your supervisor is not listed on the pre-application form, they will need to request to be added prior to submitting the pre-application form. Please do not proceed with the pre-application until your supervisors are available for selection

Postgraduate Research Entry Requirements

To register for a Postgraduate Research programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic.

  • 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 (Level 9) 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. 
  • Professional Doctorate: Candidates with a taught Master’s degree (Level 9) 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 Professional Doctorate register.
  • Master's by Research: Candidates must normally have obtained a primary degree classification (Level 8) equivalent to a second-class honours degree, grade two, in an appropriate discipline, from an approved university or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic. Such candidates are considered for entry only on the research Master’s register initially. Students on the Master's register may apply for transfer to the PhD Register under the same conditions, and using the same procedure, as PhD-track candidates requesting confirmation on the PhD register. 

English Language Requirements can be reviewed here.

For further information, see the PGR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 

Assessment

Applicants are assessed and ranked based on their performance at university, and the details provided on their application. Candidates may be called for interview and/or assessed on the basis of written work/proposed area of research.

Closing Dates

There are no closing dates for the majority of Postgraduate Research applicants (although this may be subject to change). Deadlines can apply for professional doctorate programmes, e.g. Doctor of Psychotherapy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Elite Performance (Sport).

See the relevant Research section on School pages for more information.

Outcome of an Application

Candidates who submit a valid application (for commencement BEFORE 31st July 2025 i.e. grace period) for DCU will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. 

Candidates who submit a valid pre-application (for commencement AFTER 31st July 2025 i.e. September intake) will also be notified of the outcome of their pre-application by email. As such, it is important to ensure that your address for correspondence is accurate and current. 

Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for your application to be processed.

Application Queries

Applicants may submit their application queries to the following email addresses:

Postgraduate Research applicant with EU qualifications: postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

Postgraduate Research applicant with Non-EU  qualifications: internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

Fees Queries: fees@dcu.ie

DCU Admission Appeals Policy

The purpose of this policy is to define the grounds for an appeal against an admission decision. To access the policy, please click here