You are encouraged to read carefully the wide range of information about pursuing a higher degree by research at Trinity College Dublin provided by the Graduate Studies Office. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the specific regulations relating to higher degrees by research set out in the Trinity College Calendar Part III.
It is important to be aware that preference is generally given to students who want to work in areas of research in which a potential supervisor has an existing research interest. Please review the information on finding a supervisor and the research interests of our supervising faculty members.
You may apply at any point between the application being opened in the autumn and the closing deadline of 30th June. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as supervisor capacity may be limited.
If you intend to study full-time and also intend applying for either Postgraduate Ussher Fellowships or Postgraduate Studentships you are required to submit your formal application for the Doctoral Programme no later than 30th April. These awards are highly competitive and you are advised to start preparing a high-quality application well in advance of this deadline.
If you envisage that your research will involve the collection and analysis of larger amounts of quantitative data you may wish to enrol for the Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics. The closing date to apply for this course is 30th June.
Applications should be made via our online application system. Click on the box below to choose the relevant degree and submit an application:
Start your application
Please ensure that you provide all the documents required when making your online application. This must include:
Applicants who have already been successful during a research grant interview or screening process (e.g. IRCSET, IRCHSS, Funded Research Positions, etc.) should provide relevant details as part of the application process. The online application process is mandatory even if your funding has been secured.
There is an online application fee of €55.
If you encounter difficulties in filing the relevant documentation you should direct your query to the Research Admissions Office . Please note that applications that are deemed incomplete due to the absence of key supporting documents will not proceed to the Doctoral Programme Committee for review.
Once you have submitted an online application you will be sent an acknowledgement email to the email address you provided when setting up your user account on the application system. The applicant portal will allow you to send and receive communications in respect of your application to Trinity College Dublin. You will be able to track the progress of your application at every stage of the admissions process, update your personal information, view decisions made on your application(s) and accept any offers you receive. For further information see: how to apply.
Applicants must normally have an excellent honors primary degree (2.I or higher), and / or professional qualification, in a relevant discipline from a reputable institution. In addition, PhD applicants should have an excellent Masters degree (minimum 65% average grade and also include a dissertation component) from a reputable institution. All applicants must have a fluent command of the English language. Since the demand for places is extremely high, these minimum requirements do not guarantee admission. Preference is given to the strongest academic applicants.
Our Doctoral Programme Committee will review your electronic application form and the supporting documents. They must be satisfied that the Business School has the supervisory capacity to see an applicant through to the awarding of their degree and will take the particular expertise of the proposed supervisor into account. If all the documents are consistent, the applicant will be deemed eligible for admission under the direction of the proposed supervisor.
The Committee may, in consultation with the proposed supervisor, make certain requirements in relation to reading, study or coursework to be undertaken by an applicant in order to compensate for any apparent deficiencies in his / her knowledge that may be essential to the proposed research.
You will be notified through the electronic application system once a final decision has been made.All PhD students are initially accepted onto the PhD register but must successfully complete the Confirmation Process at the beginning of the second year of registration
If you have queries about the application process please contact us at [email protected] or +353-1-896 2064.
Start Your Application
