phd degree in irish

• Postgraduate Research

Irish Studies PhD / MPhil

• Part time available: yes

Studying in:

• Institute of Irish Studies
• School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Institute of Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary centre of academic excellence with a global reputation for the study of Ireland. Our disciplinary base ranges from Irish history from medieval to modern times, literature, politics, conflict and peacebuilding, transformative justice, migration, cultural geography and gender studies.

Why study with us?

I picked Liverpool because of the commitment of the staff at the Institute. I felt like they wanted me, and wanted me to be part of the department and the research they are undertaking. Anna Rowan - Irish Studies PhD student

the Irish government recognised our contribution to Anglo-Irish and inter-Irish understanding by funding an endowed chair in Irish Studies.

the Institute of Irish Studies was established and is the only one of its kind within Britain.

We are a world-leading centre for Irish Studies research. Established in 1988, the Institute of Irish Studies is the only one of its kind within Britain. Its mission is to be the UK’s main centre for multidisciplinary research into Ireland and its world-wide relations.

The Irish government recognised our international standing in 2007 with a multi-million pound endowment to fund a Chair in Irish Studies. This funding has helped us to extend the scope of our teaching and research.

Our doctoral students pursue many original lines of research across the spectrum of Irish Studies, including literature, history, politics, conflict and its transformation as well as migration. Time frames span from the medieval to the present day and we have a superb Irish library housing many rare books, political papers and periodicals. There are also rich opportunities for expert dual supervision if you wish to pursue a cross-disciplinary topics.

If you would like to find out more about funding opportunities for MRes or PhD in the Humanities or Social Science programmes or to discuss applying for them the Institute of Irish Studies would be happy to hear from you. We would like to hear from any student wishing to apply to any major funding body who would like to study with us. We are part of the AHRC's Northwest Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership and the ESRC's Northwest Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership and we support applications to both. Further details can be found at: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/doctoral-training-programmes/humanities-and-social-sciences/

If you would like to discuss research in the department or require more information please contact Niall Carson, Departmental Lead for Post Graduate Studies: [email protected]

We welcome research proposals that match those of our researchers, including:

• Medieval Europe, especially Britain and Ireland AD 400-1350
• Political Inclusion and Exclusion in Ireland
• Religion and Identity in Ireland and its Diaspora
• Political violence
• Post-conflict transformation
• Policing and community
• The impact of ethno-sectarian reproduction
• Women’s and gender history
• Political activism
• Legislative reform
• Nineteenth and twentieth-century- literature and culture, particularly W.B. Yeats, modern drama, Modernism, modern poetry and Irish fiction including James Joyce, John McGahern and periodical cultures
• Twentieth- and twenty-first century history and politics, especially Irish Republicanism, church history, women’s activism, grass-roots organisation, and good relations.

Research themes

Our research themes are:

• Rapallo: Yeats, Pound, and Late Modernism in Interwar Italy 
• Religion, Identity and Conflict in Ireland
• The Popularisation of Literature in and from the West of Ireland
• Hagiography at the Frontiers
• The Letters of John McGahern
• A history of Irish divorce.

Based in Abercromby Square, on the main University campus, the Institute has a dedicated space for postgraduate researchers and it is close to the Sydney Jones Library and all other University services while being only about 10 minutes walk from the city centre.

Our superb MacLua library   supports our research and provides one of the best sources of Irish political papers, periodicals, books and other rare collections in the UK.

Research groups

Conflict Heritage

Study options and fees

The fees below are for the academic year 2024/25

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.

Entry requirements

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates who wish to undertake research leading to a PhD on either a full- or part-time basis. We ordinarily expect candidates for entry to our PhD programme to hold a first degree in the First or 2:1 class and a Master’s degree (preferably pass of 65% or higher) in a relevant subject area from a UK university, or EU/overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard.

English language requirements

How to apply.

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

Applications are  open all year round .

More about applying for research degrees

Apply online

Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal

Find a supervisor

Professor Peter Shirlow Professor Frank Shovlin Dr Clare Downham

View staff list

Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us

• Dr Niall Carson
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 (0)151 794 3862

Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects

Find a scholarship.

We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.

See scholarships

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Phd applications, phd admission procedures.

To be eligible for consideration to enter on a programme of study and research for the Degree of PhD, a candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary degree.  It is increasingly the case that applicants for a PhD will have completed an MA prior to embarking on PhD research. 

Before making an application, we advise you to consult the research profiles of our staff and contact a staff member who has expertise in the area in which you are interested and who may be willing to act as your supervisor.  All applications for a PhD in English (and in the College of Arts more generally) must include a Research Proposal, which your prospective supervisor will want to read before you submit a formal application.  You may receive some guidance on improving your proposal before the formal application.  If you would like to make a general enquiry about the posibility of doing research on a particular topic, please contact the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, currently Dr Maureen O'Connor:  [email protected]  

All applications (whether EU or Non-EU) are made online through  UCC's application system

Once your application is received by UCC via PAC, it will be forwarded to the Department of English, and approved by the named supervisor(s) and the Head of Department.   It must then be approved by the College of CASSS. The process, from initial enquiry to final approval, can take several months, so do be sure to plan well in advance.  There are 4 recognised start dates for PhD students in UCC: October, January, April and July.  

In the case of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, all successful applicants are registered as "PhD track" (i.e. provisional registration for a PhD) in the first instance. Students will be subject to a review within 12 to 18 months from the date of registration and will be required to demonstrate progress in the form of 10,000 words minimum written work, as well as defending their work at interview. Students may then, on the recommendation of the Head of Department and the Supervisor(s) and with the approval of the College/Faculty, transfer to the PhD. 

For further guidance on application procedures, fees and entrance requirements please consult the following links:

Study@UCC: Postgraduate Students

Studyabroad@UCC (International Students)

PhD Scholarships

Information about the PhD Excellence Scholarships provided by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences PhD Excellence Scholarships is published on the  CACSSS Graduate School website .

PhD students are also encouraged to apply to the IRC's Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme. More information on deadlines for the Irish Research Council scholarships can be found IRC website .

Scholarships & Awards

The graduate students and postgraduate researchers of the Department of English have an excellent track record in securing scholarships and research funding, in what is an increasingly competitive environment.  The various awards made are listed here by year:

IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Sarah McCreedy "The Resurgence of American Literary Naturalism in the Neoliberal 21st Century"

Kieran Nee "Solastalgic America: Literature of the environmental psyche"

Ciaran Kavanagh "Reading Postmodernism: Indeterminacy, Instability and the Changing Role of the Modern Reader"

Fiona Whyte "On Lindisfarne: A Novel"

Loretta Goff  "Hyphenating Ireland and America: Examining the Construction of Contemporary Hybrid Identities in Film and Screen Media 1990-2015"

Patricia O'Connor "Retrieving the Textual Environment of the "Old English Bede": A Digital Remediation of Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 41"

Sean Travers "Innovative Representations of Trauma in Contemporary Literature, Postmodernism and Popular Culture"

Eoin O'Callaghan "Submerged Stories: The Evolution of William Faulkner's Short Fiction"

Martin McConigley "The Border in Contemporary Irish Fiction 1970-2014: Interrogating the lines that continue to separate"

Niamh Kehoe "Vernacular Saints' Lives in England 900-1300: Humour, Gender, and Violence.

Yen-Chi Wu "Temporalities in the Novels of John McGahern: "Against the Tide"

Kathy D'Arcy "A Poetic Heteroglossia Re-Articulating 1930s Irish Women's Poetry: Weighted Silences"

Rebecca Graham "An Ecofeminist Reading of Identity, Place, and Language in Éilís Ní Dhuibne's Fiction" 

David Roy "The Unity of Edmund Spenser's  Complaints

Dan O'Brien "The Intertwining Fiction of Philip Roth and Edna O'Brien: 'A Piece of Fine Meshwork'"

M urphy Irish Exchange Fellowship (University of Notre Dame)

Dan O’Brien  "The Intertwining Fiction of Philip Roth and Edna O'Brien: 'A Piece of Fine Meshwork'"

UCC CACSSS 2013/14 PhD SCHOLARSHIP

Rebecca Graham "An Ecofeminist Reading of Identity, Place, and Language in Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's Fiction"

Eoin O'Callaghan "William Faulkner's 'Snopes' Trilogy"

IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Donna Alexander"Women in the Borderlands in the Writings of Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes"

Gwendolen Aoife Boyle "Autobiography and Fiction in the Work of Thomas Wolfe"

Mark Kirwan "Banville as Writer: The Discursive Practices of John Banville"

Laura Pomeroy "Mary Devenport O'Neill: Writing the Free State"

James Cummins "'I shall / be in my segments': Dissecting and Reassessing Raworth's Oeuvre through a Multitude of Influences"

Siobhan Higgins "Britain's Bourse: Cultural and Intellectual Transmissions between the Low Countries and Britain in the Early Modern Era"

Edel Mulcahy "Travel, Pilgrimage and the Family in Middle English Writing"

Niamh O'Mahony "Poetic Epistemology and Philosophical Fact"

Michael Waldron  "Verbal Painting: Elizabeth Bowen and the Art of Visuality"

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

UCC COLLEGE OF ARTS, CELTIC STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PHD SCHOLARSHIP

Donna Alexander "Women in the Borderlands in the Writings of Gloria Anzaldúa and Lorna Dee Cervantes"

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 

Coirle Mooney "Infected Vision in the Works of Thomas Middleton"

WILLIAM J. LEEN AWARD (UCC)

IRCHSS CARA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Dr. Carrie Griffin  "Learning and Information in the English Middle Ages and Early Modern Period: An Analysis of Textual Genres, Material Structures and Reorganisation"

UCC DOCTORAL SHOWCASE

Michael Waldron (2nd Place)

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

Adrian Goodwin  “The Language of Space”: The Influence of Twentieth Century Irish Gay and Lesbian Narrative on the “Post-Gay” moment in Irish Literature.

Colin Lahive    "Milton and Romance: Vernacular Romance and Chivalric Traditions in Paradise"

Cian O'Mahony    “A King for the Queene”: Samuel Sheppard’s The Faerie King and his reception of Spenser’s epic authority.

Bairbre Anne Walsh "Claude McKay and the Transnational Novel"

Alan Foley, "The Objects of Laughter:  A Poetics of Humour in Old and Middle English Literaure".

Sarah Kate Hayden, "Resonances of the Radical in the Female Modernist Poetic"

IRCHSS POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Richard A. Hawtree, "Vox Meditans:  Studies in the Anglo-Saxon Liturgical Imagination and the Unity of Old English Poetic ManAuscripts.

Victoria Kennefick, "Lonely Voices of the South:  Exploring the Transatlantic dialogue of Frank O'Connor and Flannery O'Connor"

IRCHSS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

David Coughlan, "Ghosts of American Writing"

NUI POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Liam Lenihan

UCC COLLEGE OF ARTS, CELTIC STUDIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES PRESIDENT'S SCHOLARSHIP

Katherine D'Arcy

IRCHSS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Dr Andrew King, "Mirrors Of British Kingship: The Galfridian Tradition in Early Modern Drama"

Sarah Louise Melnyk, “The Arthurian Legend in Scottish and English Literature”  

Mary O’Connell,  “Truth from the bookseller”:  Murray, Moore and the manufacturing of Byron

Louise Denmead,  “Representations of ‘Blackness’ and the Female Foreigner in Aemilia Lanyer and Elizabeth Cary.”

Sorcha Fogarty, In Memoriam:  Jacques Derrida, The Working of Mourning, and the Regeneration of Responsibility.

Dr Mary Pierse, “George Moore and Early Literary Impressionism” 

Emma Bidwell, "Female Performance of Masculinity." 

Siobhan Collins, "Discourses of sexuality in the poetry of John Donne"

Eileen Forristal, "The sublime in Virginia Wolf"

Kalene Nix-Kenefick,  "Una Troy (1910-1993)"

Dr Tina O’Toole, “Narrating the new woman: the feminist fictions of Sarah Grand and George Egerton."

Dr Jason King, "Refugee narratives in Irish historical and contemporary perspective"

Dr Lee Jenkins, "The language of Caribbean poetry" 

Dr Margaret Connolly,  “An Index of Middle English Prose in the Main Manuscript Collection of Cambridge University Library”.

SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Professor Patricia Coughlan,  "Gender, sexuality and social change in Irish literature 1960-2000"

Susan Burke, “The Presence of Wollstonecraft in the Work of Mary Shelley.”

Ruth Connolly, “Subjectivity in the Writings of Mary Boyle Rich and Katherine Boyle Jones.”

Brendan Kavanagh, “W.B. Yeats and Eastern Mysticism”

Catherine MacHale, “Infinity in Language and Literature.”

Eleanor Neff, “A Comparative Study of Beowulf and the Tain Bo Cuailnge”  (Department of Celtic Civilisation and Department of English).

Paul O’Connor,  “Sensibility & Romanticism:  The Poetics of Modernity.”

Michael O’Sullivan, “Where is the Ethics in Ethical Criticism?”

Mary Pierse, “Rattling the Railings:  George Moore’s Creative Literary Resistance to Late Victorian Society.”

IRCHSS POSTGRADUTE SCHOLARSHIP

Kenneth Rooney, “Timor Mortis: Aspects of the Macabre in Late Middle English Narrative.”

PhD Theses since 2000

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You are here Postgraduate > Ph.D. and Research degrees

Ph.D. and M.Litt.

Apply Please do not apply for PhD or M.Litt. study until you have followed the instructions detailed below under the heading, 'Admissions Information'. 

The School of English welcomes applications for two research degrees: the M.Litt. and the Ph.D. Both involve a student working closely with one or more supervisors to undertake an original independent research project, resulting in a dissertation thesis. The M.Litt. normally takes two years and the dissertation is up to 60,000 words. The Ph.D. takes up to four years and the dissertation is up 100,000 words. As well as the more conventional research dissertation, we offer the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice, which comprises of an original piece of creative writing and a critical essay. We also have a Distance Ph.D. programme, to enable students to pursue a research degree remotely.

The diversity of our Faculty’s research interests means we are well-placed to supervise research in a very wide variety of areas of anglophone literary studies. The print and archival holdings of Trinity’s remarkable library underpins many of our research students’ projects. While here you will receive access to training that will develop your skills and knowledge as a researcher.  You will also join a supportive and dynamic community of students, scholars, and writers in a world-leading English department right at the heart of one of the world’s great literary cities. Current Research Students

As I approach the end of my Ph.D., I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support that I’ve found within the School of English, and for the opportunities it has given me.

The time I spent doing my Ph.D. in the School of English was the most fulfilling and intellectually stimulating experience for which I could ever have hoped. Having the time and space to work on my research while being supported by an excellent mentor was an immense privilege, but it also prepared me for life beyond the Ph.D.

Structured Ph.D.

The School of English provides doctoral training through a structured programme of research and study. Alongside pursing their original research project, Ph.D. students participate in other modules, seminars and workshops. These broaden the knowledge and skills of students in ways that are complementary to their research. They also support their wider professional development, including in aiding their entry into the academic and non-academic job markets. During the programme, Ph.D. students undergo various review processes, offering important evaluation and feedback on their progress.

Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice

How Do I Apply/Make an Initial Inquiry? 

The Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice is aimed at those interested in undertaking a combination of creative and critical writing at doctoral level. The main body of the thesis dissertation is an extended piece of creative writing, normally between 60,000 and 80,000 words in length. This may take the form of a novel, a collection of short stories or poetry, or a work of non-fiction, such as a memoir or piece of travel writing, or another form of output as agreed with the project’s supervisors. This is accompanied by a critical essay that intersects with the creative project. This might take the form of a scholarly investigation or commentary of some kind, or offer a reflection on the student’s own aesthetic practice. Again, its exact nature and scope will be decided by the student in consultation with their supervisors. The Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice is normally supervised by two members of the School of English, one a specialist in creative writing and the other a researcher with expertise in an area connected to the critical portion of the project.

Applying for the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice  

The Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice generates a high volume of queries. To deal with these queries more effectively, we have initiated a separate initial inquiry protocol for this strand. 

IMPORTANT: You must not apply online for a Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice unless you have been pre-approved to do so by the School – all unauthorised applications will be rejected. 

If you are interested in applying for the programme:

• Please download the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice inquiry template found here fill it in, and send it to the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning, Prof. Aileen Douglas ([email protected]) no later than  November 1st, 2023  if you wish to be considered for March 2024 entry and no later than  December 1st, 2023 if you wish to be considered for September 2024 entry.  Use the subject line 'Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice Inquiry'. Further correspondence with the DPTL re: your prospective application will generally not be entered into at this time.
• Prof. Douglas will forward these details on to colleagues who work in Creative Writing after the December deadline.  At that stage, if a member of staff is interested in following up with you re: your proposed project, they will generally be in touch within 1-2 weeks. If a colleague is willing to consider taking you on as a PhD student, after discussion with the DPTL, you will be given the go-ahead to formally apply to the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice. The instructions further down this page under the heading ‘Developing Your PhD Proposal’ also apply to LP applicants: however, please note that applicants for the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice need to submit  two  writing samples: one piece of creative work (5000 words) and one critical essay (3000 words). 
• Please remember that being given permission to apply is not a guarantee of ultimate acceptance. We have limited supervision capacity in this subject area and unfortunately, we often turn down qualified applicants for this and for other reasons. We therefore advise you to consider applying to other institutions in addition to making inquiries at TCD. 
• If you have been given the go-ahead to apply for the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice, you should upload all materials related to your application by the date listed on this website in due course. Full details on the materials which we need for a PhD application are listed on this page under 'Admissions Information'. Please follow these instructions in full. All materials, references and supplementary information must be provided before your application can be formally assessed. We reserve the right to reject incomplete applications after this date. You should use the ‘Doctor in Philosophy, English’ application link.
• Applications will then be considered by your prospective 'Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice' supervisors and by the School's admissions committee, who will read all applications in this area and the make the final recommendation as to whether a place can be offered to an applicant. This decision will generally be passed on to the applicant by the DPTL before the end of April.  

Non-Resident/Distance Ph.D. Programme

The Non-Resident PhD programme allows students who wish to undertake a structured Ph.D. within the School of English remotely from anywhere in the world. As part of this programme you will be a fully registered student of the School of English, Trinity College Dublin with access to our libraries and services whether you are on- or off-campus. A programme of online seminars and discussion groups will be made available to enable connection with fellow Trinity researchers within and across disciplines. The programme is four years full-time and six years part-time. The School is committed to providing the same quality of supervision for distance students as for those present on campus in person and will strive to ensure they feel part of the academic community. Students undertaking the Distance PhD will need to conform to the same regulations, expectations and procedures as our general PhD students. Distance PhD applicants will also need to confirm that they have access to a suitable workspace and to the equipment (i.e. laptop or PC) and internet access which is needed to successfully engage in this mode of study. They are also be expected to keep in regular touch with their supervisor via email and online-videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams. They will also be expected to meet once a term with their thesis committee via one of these platforms. Students will also be expected to engage with webinars and online conferences within the School and in the College more widely. Please note that that students are normally expected to be on-campus in Dublin for their Confirmation hearing approximately half-way through their studies and for their Viva Voce examination at the end of their studies. Distance PhD students in the School (as within the College in general) will follow a structured PhD model which requires them to attain 20 ECTS of taught credits in their first 18th months of study.

Click here for further information about Trinty's Non-Resident/Distance Ph.D. Programme Applying for Non-Resident Study Prospective applicants can only proceed to a formal application for the Non-Resident Programme if they have been vetted and approved of by the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning (Dr Carroll) and by a prospective supervisor beforehand. There is a form which both the applicant and the prospective supervisor need to fill in and sign, and an application link which needs to be sent on by the DPTL. The Non-Resident PhD programme cannot be applied for on the usual College online applications site. By undertaking a Non-resident Ph.D., students are ineligible for university funding schemes and may be ineligible for funding from other bodies. Students will be responsible for arrangements and bear all personal costs associated with their programme of study, including travel and technology-related costs.

Admissions Information

How Do I Make an Initial M.Litt. or PhD Inquiry? The School receives many postgraduate research admissions and supervision inquiries every year. To make the processing of initial expressions of interest more efficient for prospective applicants and for staff, we now require prospective PhD or M.Litt. applicants to fill in this  inquiry template  before their supervision/admissions query can be considered. Once you have completed this template you may forward it to the staff member who you feel would be a suitable PhD supervisor, or send it to the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning (Dr Jane Carroll, [email protected] ) for circulation if no suitable supervisor seems immediately apparent.  The list of staff research interests and supervision interests can be found here:  staff research interests  . You should consult it before filling in the inquiry template .  Do not contact MORE THAN ONE staff member with your initial query. It causes confusion and delays when a prospective applicant emails several staff members with the same query at once. 

Developing Your PhD Proposal/Application Materials:

It is  strongly advised  that you develop your proposal in consultation with a relevant staff member, rather than applying online without contacting the School beforehand. If a staff member is interested in your initial project outline (as contained within the template) and has supervision capacity, they may ask you for further information and they may subsequently agree to work as you develop your proposal. Please note that an initial expression of interest from an academic member of staff is not in itself a guarantee of acceptance. All PhD applications are assessed by the prospective supervisor and by the School’s PhD admissions committee.  Your Ph.D. proposal should be around 2,000-3,000 words. This normally includes: an overview indicating the contribution to scholarship the proposed project will make in relation to the existing critical literature; a chapter-by-chapter outline of the proposed dissertation; a statement on methodology; and a short preliminary bibliography (listing 30-50 items of primary and secondary literature).  In addition to the research proposal, as part of your application you will need to submit: transcripts; degree certificates; a CV; proof of English competency, if English is not your native language; two academic references; and a writing sample (approximately 5,000 words).  Applications will not be considered until all documents are submitted, including both references. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that all the necessary documents are uploaded as soon as possible after an initial application is opened online, and to check with referees to make sure that they have uploaded their references.   Acceptance depends on several criteria: your undergraduate degree (normally at least an upper-second class standard or GPA of 3.3 is required), the viability and originality of your research proposal, and the strength of your supporting academic references .  Applicants should also note that that the demand for research places in the School of English at Trinity College Dublin is high, and that sometimes excellent candidates are turned down because of the unavailability of staff to supervise in that area.

Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice Application Materials: Applicants for the Doctor in Philosophy, Literary Practice need to submit two writing samples: one piece of creative work (5000 words) and one critical essay (3000 words). 

IMPORTANT: A full revision of College internal PhD award schemes is currently being undertaken to ensure an equitable level of stipend for students in receipt of internal awards. Further information will be posted here in the Autumn.

Prospective applicants should very carefully consider how they intend to fund their studies in light of the scarcity of funding and the high costs of living and renting here in Dublin.  Various external bodies do offer funding.  The Irish Research Council  runs an annual scheme for doctoral candidates, advertised early in the autumn of each year. These awards are the most substantial funding available to our Ph.D. candidates. Prospective students may also be eligible for a grant via  Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) . Further advice and information on funding is also available on from the  Higher Education Authority .

Postgraduate Student Handbook 2023-24

Trinity College Postgraduate Research Student Handbook

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Studying a PhD in Ireland

Last updated: 17 May 2023 PhD

Ireland is a hub for higher education, offering a world-class education system that is recognised globally for its academic and research programmes. Despite its size in terms of geography, Ireland has many prestigious universities that consistently rank among the best across the world. One of the key areas where Ireland stands out is in the field of PhD education . Ireland has a long-standing tradition of providing quality doctoral programmes in multiple subject areas. Excellence in education, combined with the rich cultural heritage of Ireland, makes it a beautiful study-abroad destination for pursuing doctoral studies for international students.

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is a postgraduate degree that is designed to produce experts in a particular field of study. In Ireland, a PhD programme can last from three to five years and is usually a combination of coursework and research work. Students are expected to undertake independent research on a topic of their choice in the field of study under the supervision of a faculty member who is an expert in that particular area. With world-class facilities, highly supportive research environments, and excellent faculty, Ireland is an excellent choice for anyone looking to pursue a PhD.

If you want to attend the best Irish universities to earn your PhD degree, book a free consultation with SI-Ireland today to learn more about the entry requirements, scholarships, and other relevant information.

Top Universities in Ireland for PhD

1. trinity college dublin.

Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is one of Ireland's oldest and most prestigious universities. TCD offers PhD programmes across various disciplines, including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, and Health Sciences. The PhD programme at Trinity College Dublin is a research-focused degree that aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out independent research under the guidance of experienced and supportive supervisors. PhD students have access to excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art research labs, libraries, and archives.

Trinity also offers a range of training and development programmes, including workshops and seminars on research skills, academic writing, and career development. Prospective PhD students at Trinity College Dublin can choose from a variety of funding options, including scholarships, bursaries, and research grants. 

2. University College Dublin

University College Dublin (UCD) is one of the leading research-intensive universities in Ireland, with a strong focus on innovation. As Ireland's largest university, UCD has a diverse community of over 34,000 students, including over 8,000 international students from more than 130 countries. 

UCD offers a comprehensive range of PhD programmes across its six colleges and over 40 schools and departments. These programmes are designed to provide students with an opportunity to undertake advanced research in their chosen field while also developing their skills in critical thinking, analysis, and communication. The PhD programmes at UCD are based on a structured model, which typically involves two years of coursework followed by two to three years of research, culminating in the submission of a thesis. The university provides its PhD students access to world-class research facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and computer facilities. 

3. University of Galway

The University of Galway is located in Galway City in the west of Ireland. Established in 1845, it is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious educational institutions. Galway offers a variety of PhD programmes across its five colleges, which cover areas such as science, engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences.

PhD students at the university have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, world-class academics, and a supportive community of fellow researchers. The structured PhD programmes are designed to provide students with a comprehensive research education and typically involve a unique combination of coursework, research, and professional development activities. The university provides funding opportunities for PhD students, including scholarships, grants, and stipends. The university's research centres and institutes also provide funding for research projects, which can help PhD students to develop their research skills and advance their careers.

4. University College Cork

University College Cork (UCC) is a leading research-intensive institution located in Cork. With a history dating back to 1845, UCC is now one of the top-ranked universities in Ireland and is renowned for its research excellence offering world-class PhD programmes across a diverse range of disciplines.

UCC PhDs are designed to support students in developing advanced research skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. UCC's research community is highly respected, with UCC being ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide based on its research impact. UCC offers PhD programmes in areas such as Arts, Business and Law , Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, Engineering, Science, and Medicine and Health. Each programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of their chosen subject area, and expert supervisors support students throughout their research journey.

5. Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading research-intensive university located in Dublin. It was established in 1980 and has since grown to be one of the top universities in the country. DCU has a strong focus on research and innovation, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships.

DCU offers a wide range of PhD programmes across its four faculties: Science and Health, Engineering and Computing, Humanities and Social Sciences, and DCU Business School. These PhD programmes are designed to provide students with advanced research skills and knowledge in their chosen field, as well as the opportunity to work alongside leading academics and researchers. DCU offers a supportive research environment for PhD students by providing them with access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.

PhD in Ireland with Scholarship

PhD in Ireland can be pursued with scholarships, which are available for both domestic and international students. These scholarships are typically offered by universities, government agencies, and other organisations. Some potential avenues for pursuing a PhD with a scholarship in Ireland include:

- Irish Research Council (IRC) Scholarships

The Irish Research Council offers scholarships to support PhD research across different disciplines. These include the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, which is open to applicants from all countries and covers a stipend, fees, and research expenses.

- Government-funded Scholarships

The Irish government, through agencies like the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), provides funding opportunities for PhD research to students. These often focus on specific research areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

- University-specific Scholarships

Most Irish universities have their own scholarship programmes for PhD students and these scholarships may be funded by the institution itself or by external sources. Examples of this kind of scholarship include the Trinity College Dublin Provost's PhD Project Awards and University College Dublin (UCD) scholarships.

- International Scholarships

Several international scholarships are available for non-EU students to pursue a PhD in the country. Prominent among them are the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships and the Irish Aid Fellowships, which are specifically targeted at students from developing countries.

How to Apply for a PhD in Ireland

1. research the best options.

You can start by identifying the universities and departments that offer PhD programmes in your field of interest. Look for specific faculty members or research groups whose work aligns with your research interests.

2. Contact Potential Supervisors

You may need to reach out to potential supervisors to discuss your research interests and determine if they have available positions or funding opportunities currently available. This step is crucial, as many PhD programmes in Ireland require you to secure a supervisor before submitting the application.

3. Review Admission Requirements

Visit the websites of your chosen universities and departments to review their specific admission requirements for PhD programmes. Familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria, application deadlines, required documents, and any language proficiency requirements (usually English in Ireland).

4. Prepare a Strong Research Proposal

Your research proposal is a critical component of the final application. It should demonstrate your knowledge of the field, outline your research objectives and methodology, and also explain why your research is significant and relevant. You may seek feedback from potential supervisors or mentors to refine your proposal.

5. Submit Your Application

Complete the application form online or submit the required documents by the specified deadline. Also, pay attention to any additional instructions or submission requirements provided by the university or department.

6. Application Review and Interviews

Once your application is submitted, it will go through a review process by the admissions committee. In some cases, you may be invited for an interview, either in person or via video conferencing, to discuss your research proposal and suitability for the programme.

7. Acceptance and Enrollment

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter from the university.

Study a PhD in Ireland

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Research Programmes at UCD

Master's level research degree programmes.

Master’s level research aims to develop in the student the skills and competencies required to conduct research and may, but does not necessarily, result in the creation of new knowledge.

• Master's by Research

Doctoral Level Degree Programmes

A doctoral degree (NFQ level 10) is awarded where the outcome of the research makes an original and substantial contribution to knowledge. UCD offers two doctoral degrees:

• Professional Doctorate  

Research Priorities

UCD has a focus on 4 strategic themes, which address critical global research challenges:

• Creating a Sustainable Global Society 
• Transforming Through Digital Technology
• Building a Healthy World
• Empowering Humanity

Taught Graduate Programmes

More interested in a taught programme? Search or browse all graduate courses at UCD

Further Resources

Apply to a research programme at UCD

Colleges and Schools

View information on graduate study and research across all of UCD's Colleges and Schools

Graduate Prospectus

View the graduate prospectus with details of all graduate taught and research programmes at UCD

Video overview

Watch a 3-minute overview of research programmes at UCD by Dr Emer Cunningham, Head of Graduate Research and Strategic Development

The definitive list of Irish Studies programs – United States and Canada

Where to study the heritage, history and culture of ireland and irish america..

Here at IrishCentral we get asked all the time about Irish Studies programs. What follows is as definitive a list as we could compile. Any additions please email [email protected]

Boston College - Center for Irish Programs: The Irish Studies Program at Boston College offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Irish culture and society. Individual undergraduate and graduate courses address social, political and economic history, literature, medieval arts, sociology, music, and the Irish language. The extensive Irish collections of the Burns and O'Neill Libraries enhance each of these and offer a wealth of resources to all Boston College students and faculty.

Phone: 617-552-6396 Email: [email protected]

Catholic University of America, Irish Studies Master’s Program: Offers a few undergraduate courses including Irish 101, Irish language and culture, and Irish 103.

Phone: 202-319-5057

Celtic Studies Association of North America : The Celtic Studies Association of North America (CSANA) embraces all aspects of Celtic Studies and provides a forum that is unavailable in a discipline- or area-based organization. Members are interested in the languages, literature, history, folklore, music, art and archaeology of ancient, medieval, and modern Celtic cultures.

Email: [email protected]

Concordia University School of Canadian Irish Studies : The School of Canadian Irish Studies at Concordia University was created with the joint financial support of the University and the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation. The academic programs of the School focus on Ireland’s complex history and rich culture, as well as the contributions of Irish immigrants to the social, cultural, economic, and political life in all regions of Canada. Over a dozen Irish Studies courses are offered annually in a range of disciplines, including history, literature, film, music, economics, language, theater, popular culture, theology, political science and geography. The School also offers A Major, a Minor, and a Certificate in Canadian Irish Studies from within the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Phone: 514-848-2424 ex.5117 Email: [email protected]

CUNY Institute for Irish American Studies, Lehman College : Lehman College offers a couple of Irish orientated courses to all undergraduate students. These courses range from general Irish studies to more in-depth Irish cultural studies such as Irish Language and Irish literature. Lehman College also offers a study abroad program to students enrolled in such courses. The Fulbright Commission Queen’s University Belfast Summer Institute is a four-week cultural and academic program for US students held at Queen’s University Belfast.

Phone: 718-960-6722 Email: [email protected]

DePaul University Irish Studies : The Irish Studies Program at DePaul University is an interdisciplinary field of study, offering an undergraduate Minor to students interested in examining the history, literature, politics, geography, religion, and culture of Ireland along with the worldwide Irish diaspora and the contemporary integration of Ireland within globalized systems of political economy, international relations, travel and communication. The Irish Studies Minor familiarizes students with a wide range of courses that explore Ireland and develop critical perspectives on its place in history and the contemporary world. The Irish Studies Program also invites guest lecturers from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Chicago community to speak to Irish Studies courses and in campus-wide events.

Phone: 773-325-3267 Email: [email protected]

Emory University Irish Studies Program : Emory’s Irish Studies Program thrives off of their tremendous strengths in teaching and research in Irish arts, literature and culture. The Irish Studies Program is housed within Emory's English Department and introduces students to leading scholarship on Ireland through courses, seminars, readings and lectures.

Phone:404-727-2232 Email: [email protected]

Fairfield University Irish Studies : Offering an interdisciplinary minor for undergraduates, Fairfield University has a small, but robust minor program for undergraduates in Irish Studies, drawing from Irish subject-based courses in literature, politics, history, and art and a study abroad partnership with NUI Galway. We also have a thriving annual series of events that includes visits and performances by well-known Irish-Americans. Fairfield University also hosts the annual Irish Festival for Fairfield County each Father's Day weekend in June.

Phone: 203-254-4000 Email: [email protected]

Fordham University Institute of Irish Studies : Fordham University offers Irish studies as a Minor to all students. The Minor in Irish Studies is aimed at an understanding of the historical and cultural development of the Irish people, their language, literature, social institutions. This focus includes the significance of their contribution – intellectually, spiritually, artistically – to Western civilization and their experiences as one of the first post-colonial nations and of emigrant Diaspora.

Phone: 718-817-3047 Email: [email protected]

Georgia Southern University Irish Studies : Regardless of major or minor, every Georgia Southern student is welcome to experience its Irish Studies courses. Delivered with passion, these courses are available both on campus and through a summer semester in Ireland. There are multiple sessions available over the summer for studying abroad and also various scholarships that can be applied for.

Phone: 912-478-1272 Email: [email protected]

Harvard University - Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures: Offers an extensive graduate program that includes courses such as Irish language, Irish literature, and early Irish historical tales.

Phone: 617-495-1206 Email: [email protected]

Hofstra University Irish Studies : Irish Studies at Hofstra University is an interdisciplinary program with rich course offerings and events on Ireland's past and present. By studying the cultures, diaspora, economy, history, politics, and social relations of Ireland, we develop an awareness of ways that the Irish have both shaped and been shaped by other societies, including the United States. In addition to our undergrad minor courses, our program has also organized activities such as: a summer studies program in Ireland, annual film and lecture series on topics relating to Ireland, conferences and exhibits, and day-long workshops and summer classes designed to raise interest in Irish culture among youth on Long Island.

Phone: 516-463-6600 Email: [email protected]

John Brown University Irish Studies Program : John Brown University offers a graduate Irish studies program. This Irish Studies program is a six-week, nine credit hour program designed for all majors. The group of students travels around the island and visits sites connected to our studies as well as some of the most beautiful tourist locations in Ireland.

Phone: 479-524-7363 Email: [email protected]

John Carroll University – Irish Studies Graduate Studies : John Carroll University includes Irish Studies with varied graduate courses in: classical & modern languages and cultures (Irish language), English (studies in Irish literature), history (history of Ireland), peace, justice & human rights (Belfast, Northern Ireland Summer Institute in Peace Building) and/or theology & religious studies (early Christianity).

Phone: 216-397-4787 Email: [email protected]

Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, University of Notre Dame : The Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies is a teaching and research institute dedicated to the study and understanding of Irish culture in all of its manifestations. Undergraduates can pursue an Irish Studies Minor and the Institute offers graduate students a Graduate Minor in Irish Studies. In addition, through graduate programs offered through the Ph.D. in Literature program, English and History, the Keough-Naughton Institute supports scholarship in all areas of Irish Studies. The Institute supports undergraduate and graduate students in their pursuit of Irish Studies and provides opportunity for language study, travel classes, semester and summer study in Dublin, internships in Dublin, conference support and more.

Phone: 574-631-3620 Email: [email protected]

Le Moyne College, Irish Literature Program : Le Moyne College offers Irish literature as a minor. This minor offers students the opportunity to concentrate on the literature of Ireland while gaining an understanding of its historical, cultural, and literary contexts. The program offers a variety of courses that give students an understanding of some of the trends and leading figures of Irish literature. Also, study abroad and summer language programs are options for the fulfillment of this minor.

Phone: 800-333-4733 Email: [email protected]

LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, Irish Studies Program: Irish Studies is an interdisciplinary minor designed to complement a wide variety of majors by providing students with an understanding of the historical and cultural development of the Irish people and the significance of their intellectual, artistic, spiritual, and economic contribution to world civilization, including their experiences as both a post-colonial nation and an emigrant diaspora. In addition to the minor study program, students can earn up to six credits toward the minor in Irish Studies in the LMU Summer in Ireland Program at Trinity College in Dublin.

Phone: 310-338-3051 Email: [email protected]

Loyola Irish Studies Program: A 4 week study abroad program in which students take 3 classes usually consisting of literature, film, and language. This program takes place at Trinity College in Dublin, and is only offered every other year (’12, ’14, ’16, etc.)

Phone: 504-865-3094 Email: [email protected]

Manhattanville College Irish Studies : The Manhattanville Irish Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary minor in the history and culture of Ireland and the Irish Diaspora, from the early Christian period to the present. Contemporary trends underscore the extraordinarily diverse character that Irish Studies has assumed in the last two decades. Also, students taking a minor in Irish Studies may take advantage of our cooperative Study Abroad Program with the National University of Ireland in Galway.

Phone: 914-323-5154 Email:[email protected]

Nova Southeastern University Irish Studies Minor : The Irish studies minor is at NOVA is an interdisciplinary program of study focusing on the history, literature, societies, and cultures of Ireland, including the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Irish Diaspora. This minor can be combined with any major and minor. A minimum of 9 credits must be exclusive to the minor and cannot be counted toward any other majors/minors/certificate programs. In addition, students must take one or two travel study courses in Ireland.

Phone: 954-262-8200 Email: [email protected]

NYU Glucksman Ireland House : The M.A. in Irish and Irish-American Studies at Glucksman Ireland House NYU offers students a broad interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes new approaches to the field of Irish Studies modeled on the best methods of contemporary Humanities and Social Science scholarship. Courses taught by Glucksman Ireland House NYU faculty in history, literature, music, and cultural studies investigate the Irish experience in and outside of Ireland. The many archives and the vibrant Irish community of New York City offer unparalleled opportunities for graduate study. The M.A. in Irish and Irish-American Studies has been structured to offer students both a comprehensive grounding in the Irish Studies field, and the opportunity for in-depth course work and research in the new forms of inter- and trans-disciplinary scholarship characteristic of the best recent work in the field.

Phone: 212-998-3950 Email: [email protected]

Quinnipiac University : Quinnipiac offers a very specific Irish study program. Ireland's Great Hunger Institute is a scholarly resource for the study of the Great Hunger, which is also known as An Gorta Mór. Through a strategic program of lectures, conferences, course offerings and publications, the institute fosters a deeper understanding of this tragedy and its causes and consequences. The Quinnipiac School of Law also operates a summer program at Trinity College in Dublin. Law students, from Quinnipiac and other ABA law schools, have the opportunity to live and study on the Trinity campus.

Phone: 203-582-4564 Email:[email protected]

Regis University, Irish Studies Online Certificate Program : Regis University’s Irish studies Online is the first program of its kind in the world, it is an interdisciplinary introduction to Irish Studies, developed by the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI, Galway in partnership with Regis University in Denver. The purpose of the program is to provide a basic introduction to Irish life and culture through the disciplines of archaeology, history, literature in English and in Irish (presented in translation), political science and sociology, traditional Irish music and dance. The courses provide an overview of Irish history from the pagan Celtic world and the coming of Christianity, through to the cataclysmic famines of the 1840s, the establishment of an independent state in 1922 and Ireland’s integration into the European community which has been ongoing since the 1970s. Students can also obtain a Diploma in Irish Studies from NUI, Galway by successfully completing any 3 of the online courses and an Irish Studies Summer School at NUI, Galway in Ireland.

Phone: 353-091-492887 Email: [email protected]

Sacred Heart University - Irish Studies Minor : SHU in Dingle is a unique and experiential approach to the study of Irish and Celtic culture, history, language and spirituality based in Dingle in the heart of Ireland's West Kerry Gaeltacht region.

Phone: 203-371-7765 Email: [email protected]

Saint Mary's University - Irish Studies : Offers a 4 year Irish studies emergent program along with major, minor, and double concentration options. Courses consist of language, literature and history. Every summer study abroad scholarships are made available to a handful of students through The Ireland Canada University Foundation. The short-term program offers intensive study abroad programs in January and May of each calendar year, while the semester program offers study-abroad programs in both the fall and spring semesters. Both curriculums focus on Irish and Celtic history, culture, language, arts and humanities.

Phone: 902-420-5519 Email:[email protected]

St. Francis Xavier University - Celtic Studies : St. Francis Xavier is one of the few universities offering the study of Celtic languages and the history of the Celts from about 800 BC to the present. Students may choose to major or minor in Celtic Studies. Celtic courses may also be chosen as electives by students wishing to broaden their horizons beyond "mainstream" fields.

Phone: 902-867-5221 Email: [email protected]

Stonehill College Irish Studies : Stonehill’s Irish Studies program seeks to develop students’ cultural understanding of Ireland and, also, a wider understanding of the culturally pluralistic United States. Students choosing the Irish Studies minor will draw knowledge from many of the academic programs that are at the heart of a liberal arts education. Stonehill also offers chances for students to obtain Irish internships. Internships are available in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, government agencies, the parliament and a variety of businesses.

Phone: 508-565-1135 Email: [email protected]

Taylor University - Irish Studies Program : Taylor University offers a unique Irish study abroad program. The Irish Studies Program is designed for students to expand cultural and spiritual awareness by studying and experiencing the history and culture of Ireland. Irish literature, Irish history, Celtic studies, and contemporary Ireland comprise the core of the program's course of study. This program is enriched by exposure to Ireland's fine arts, exploration of the land and experience with her people. Reflection for personal growth occurs through residence life, guided discussions, and chapel. Students are encouraged to worship with local churches and fellowships.

Phone: 765-998-5106 Email: [email protected]

UC Berkeley Celtic Studies Program : The Celtic Studies Program is a degree program in the Department of Scandinavian at the University of California, Berkeley. Its purpose is to bring together faculty and students with interests in the cultures, languages, literature, and history of the Celtic regions. Students may complete an undergraduate major or minor in Celtic Studies. The program has an innovative linkage of language and literature-in-translation courses intended to allow students maximum flexibility in pursuing their studies.

Phone: 510-643-7618 Email: [email protected]

University of Colorado, Boulder, Center for British and Irish Studies : The Center for British and Irish Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder promotes research and teaching in all aspects of British and Irish life, culture, and history. The Center contributes to teaching and research by offering an undergraduate Certificate in British and Irish Studies, interdisciplinary seminars for graduate students, and travel fellowships and event funding opportunities to support the study of British and Irish issues.

Phone: 303-492-8908 Email: [email protected]

UCLA Celtic Colloquium : UCLA Celtic colloquium does not have an Irish studies program per se, but does offer in-depth courses on Old Irish, Middle Welsh, Celtic Mythology, Medieval Celtic Literature, and Celtic Folklore.

Email: [email protected]

University of Georgia, British Irish Studies : The British-Irish Studies Program (BISP) at The University of Georgia offers a certificate to undergraduates who have taken a substantial number of courses that focus on British Studies. These courses include the gateway course and at least two of our Irish study courses. The University of Georgia also suggests that at least one of the courses should be taken in Britain or Ireland.

Phone: 706-542-1261 Email: [email protected]

University of Massachusetts Boston, Irish Studies Concentration/Minor : The Irish Studies Concentration/Minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide you with the opportunity to study Irish and Irish-American culture, primarily by experiencing the imaginative power of Irish literature. In addition to the Irish studies concentration/minor, University of Massachusetts Boston has implemented a new aspect of the concentration/minor. This new addition is a summer course that culminates with an 11-day trip to Ireland.

Phone: 617-287-6700 Email: [email protected]

University of Missouri-St. Louis - Irish Studies and Smurfit-Stone Endowed Professorship in Irish Studies : The Irish Studies Program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis was founded in 2000 as a result of a gift from the Smurfit-Stone Corporation that created the Smurfit-Stone Corporation Professorship in Irish Studies. The program comprises monthly lectures on Ireland and Irish America, concerts, and a summer study abroad program at NUI-Galway. Classes in Irish and Irish American Literature, Irish History, and Irish Music are offered. The program is part of International Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis

Phone: 314-516-5589 Email: [email protected]

University of Montana Missoula - Irish Studies : The Irish Studies program at The University of Montana is an inter-disciplinary and inter-collegiate collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. This collaboration supports a minor that provides students with access to instruction, study and research in the fields of language, history, literature, film, drama, music and dance as well as the opportunity to participate in the preservation and promotion of the Irish language and culture. A programmatic focus on the central role of the Irish language and Gaelic heritage in Ireland’s history and culture and on the role of the Irish American diaspora in the western settlement of North America makes this a unique course of study among Irish Studies programs in America. Foundational to expanding our knowledge and understanding of the Irish experience in the west is the Gathering, an oral history project designed to collect the history, lore and traditions of the Montana Irish.

Phone: 406-243-6973 Email: [email protected]

William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies at University of St. Thomas : The William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies @ University of St. Thomas offers a variety of undergrad courses. These general areas range from Irish history and politics, to Irish studies and theology, all the way to Irish language and literature.

Phone: 800-856-8565 Email: [email protected]

UW Milwaukee Celtic Studies : The UW-Milwaukee Center for Celtic Studies provides interdisciplinary, international educational opportunities for UWM students. Our program includes on-campus instruction by UWM and visiting international faculty, as well as study-abroad options in Ireland, Great Britain, and Europe. We provide a wide range of course and research topics relating to cultures-both historical and modern—that share Celtic influence: the early Continental Celts and the Breton, Cornish, Galician, Irish, Manx, Scots, and Welsh peoples. Students can concentrate their studies on the Celtic languages, both spoken and written, or they may choose to investigate the broader themes of the Celtic world, such as art, archaeology, literature, history, folklore, music and myth.

Phone: 414-229-6520>

University of Wisconsin-Madison Celtic Studies : A six-week Irish Studies summer program is to introduce students to Ireland's history, literature, society and archaeology through a 10-day Orientation in Dublin, Galway, and on the Aran Islands, and five weeks of courses at the National University of Ireland, Galway Summer School in Irish Studies.

Phone: 608-263-3935 Email: [email protected]

Villanova University Irish Studies Program : Villanova offers both undergraduate and graduate study options. The undergraduate program is Irish Studies, while the graduate program is a MLA concentration in Irish Studies. Villanova also offers 2 types of study abroad summer options. The first is through the Villanova education department which is made available through scholarship. The second study abroad option is through the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies, which is a 3 week program that entails studying the peace and conflict in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Phone: 610-519-4647 Email: [email protected]

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• Graduate Program

The PhD program in Celtic languages and literatures is the only one of its kind in North America. Unlike graduate degree programs in North America and abroad that focus exclusively on Irish or one of the other Celtic languages, the Harvard program provides training in several Celtic languages and affords PhD students the opportunity to conduct advanced research in one or more of the Celtic traditions.

• Detailed Information about the PhD Program
• Applying to the PhD Program

Secondary Field

PhD students in any department in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard may undertake Celtic as a formal Secondary Field by taking four half-courses in Celtic. In the secondary field, a student concentrates on just one of the Celtic languages, either Irish or Welsh.

• Detailed Information about the PhD Secondary Field

Graduate students in other departments at Harvard are welcome to take occasional courses in the Celtic Department without completing the Secondary Field.

Ad Hoc Degree

A student enrolled in the PhD program in Celtic Languages and Literatures who has formulated or is in the process of formulating an interdisciplinary research project may, but is not required to, arrange to pursue an Ad Hoc PhD that combines Celtic with one or more other disciplines in a personally tailored program.  The application process to create an Ad Hoc PhD program is described  here .  Note that the student must have completed  at least  one full year in a GSAS PhD program before applying to pursue an Ad Hoc degree.

• Detailed Information about the Ad Hoc PhD Degree
• Undergraduate Program
• Studying Celtic Languages at Harvard

Irish Research Council

Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

Eligible HEIs and RPOs

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is an established national initiative, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and managed by the Council.

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem. Among its features are:

• individual, prestigious awards for excellent research in the name of the applicant;
• an objective selection process using international, independent expert peer review;
• funding across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology; and
• awards for bottom-up, non-directed research, with the exception of those funded by our strategic funding partners.

Pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or those introducing creative, innovative approaches are welcomed. Proposals of an interdisciplinary nature are also encouraged as it is recognised that advancing fundamental understanding is achieved by integrating information, techniques, tools and perspectives from two or more disciplines.

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. Successful awardees under the programme are recognised as demonstrating world-class potential as future research leaders.

Strategic funding partners

A number of government departments and agencies partner with the Irish Research Council to support the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme as a mechanism to deliver on shared national objectives. The Irish Research Council’s strategic funding partners for 2024 are:

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• Met Éireann

What we offer

The value of the scholarship will be up to a maximum of €28,000 per annum in any approved year and will consist of the following:

• a stipend of €19,000 per annum;
• a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum; and
• eligible direct research expenses of €3,250 per annum.

How to apply

Potential applicants should read the call documentation carefully to ascertain whether or not they are eligible to apply. Indicative versions of the applicant and supervisor forms are provided for information purposes only. All participants must create and submit their forms via the online system.

Please note that the timings provided here are indicative and may be subject to change.

If you do not find the answer to your query in the call documentation, you should contact the research office in your proposed institution which will provide information and clarification on the call. Research offices can send any queries they are unable to clarify to  [email protected] .

For reasons of transparency and fairness to all applicants, the IRC will not enter into written or telephone correspondence with any individual about the assessment process or their eligibility to apply.

Call documentation

2024 Call Document

2024 Call Document (Irish Translation)

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Phd history.

• Study at Maynooth /

Qualification : PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH PH.D. (10)

CAO/PAC code : MHP02 (FT), MHP03 (PT)

CAO Points :

Closing Date : 11 July 2022

View FETAC details

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The award of the PhD is based entirely on a major research thesis. However, to ensure that our graduates obtain as thorough preparation as possible for their future careers, the university has put in place a structured PhD programme. Students in the Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy PhD programme are required to take 60 credits worth of taught modules over the duration of the programme, of which some are generic, and some are required by the relevant department.  Students with an MA in a cognate discipline usually need to take a minimum of 30 credits.

Commences September (or other agreed time)  

For entry to the combined MLitt/PhD programme see https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/history/postgraduate

Direct entry to the PhD is normally reserved for those with a Masters degree and is on the basis of prior approval of research topic. There are two basic requirements for direct entry admission:

• A convincing and worthwhile research proposal of sufficient scope, the sources for which have been identified, and which can make a substantial contribution to historical scholarship. Proposals are normally of at least 4,000 words in length; it is particularly important that the location of the project in relation to existing literature be set out and that the location, nature and accessibility of primary sources be identified. Potential applicants are invited to consult with members of the department with relevant expertise (please see our https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/history/our-people )
• Evidence of the capacity to complete the project to a high scholarly standard, in accordance with professional conventions, and in reasonable time. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements:

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here . The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Maynooth University is one of the principal centres of research into the history of Ireland. The department offers direction of research in every period of Irish history, including local history. The research specialisations of staff are as follows:

Dr Hussam Ahmed: specialises in the social and cultural history of the modern Middle East. Other research interests include Arab intellectual history, minorities in the Middle East, colonialism, statecraft and institution building.

Professor Terence A Dooley: specialises in Irish social and political history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, particularly the land question, the fortunes of great houses and estates, the work of the Irish Land Commission and the local politics of the revolutionary period. Has expertise also in policy matters concerning heritage and restoration.

Dr M Denise Dunne: primary research interest is in the History of European integration focusing in particular on British policy on European integration. Other areas of research include the US-European transatlantic relationship in the context of European integration and the institutional development of the European Union from inception to date. Broad research and teaching interests encompass twentieth century European and American history.

Dr Alison FitzGerald: specialises in Irish design history and material culture, in particular the study of Irish goldsmiths, jewellers and allied traders.

Professor Raymond Gillespie: social and cultural change in early modern Ireland; the diffusion of print and the changing experience of reading in Ireland 1580-1700.

Dr David Lederer: Global history; Renaissance and Reformation; early modern Germany; history of emotions; gender studies.

Professor Marian Lyons: Irish migration to Europe and migrant experiences on the continent in the early modern period, with particular emphasis on France and specifically Jacobite migrants in Paris, c.1690–c.1730. Franco-Irish diplomatic and political relations in the sixteenth century. Ireland’s trading associations with France in the early modern era. Thomas Arthur, MD, of Limerick (1590–1675). The Kildare dynasty in fifteenth and sixteenth-century Ireland. Women in late medieval and early modern Ireland.

Dr Dympna McLoughlin: specialises in gender and class nineteenth century Ireland; poverty and subsistence nineteenth century Ireland; emigration and the poor law; children, nineteenth century Ireland.

Dr JoAnne Mancini: history of the United States and its colonial antecedents; intersections of American and world history.

Dr David Murphy: specialises in military history with a particular interest in Irish regiments in British and continental service, the Crimean War, and French military archives.

Dr John Paul Newman: specialises in Balkan and Yugoslav cultural history with a particular interest in the First World War and its legacy in the region.

Professor Thomas O’Connor: Irish in Europe 1550–1800; Jansenism in 17th century; Roman Inquisition seventeenth century; political thought 1550–1700.

Dr Michael Potterton: specialises in the archaeology and history of Ireland from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, especially urban and rural landscapes, settlement and society.

Dr Jacinta Prunty: urban, social and cartographic history, with a particular focus on the mapping of towns and on the town itself in nineteenth and early twentieth-century Ireland; the history of religious life from the early nineteenth century and associated residential homes, schools and other institutions; Protestant and Catholic missionary activity; the management of religious archives.

Dr Jennifer Redmond: specialises in Irish emigration to England in the twentieth century; gender and sexual politics; demography and population change; modern Ireland; women and education; Irish women in the labour force; digital humanities.

Professor Filipe Ribeiro de Meneses: lectures in Spanish and Portuguese twentieth century history, the First World War and the development of fascism, and Europe’s colonial empires in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Research interests are centred on the First World War and Twentieth-century Portugal and its colonies.

Dr Ian Speller: research interests are in the field of military history and strategic studies, focusing in particular on maritime strategy and naval policy, the history of the Royal Navy and of expeditionary operations in the twentieth century.

Dr Jonathan Wright: a historian of Ireland and the British world in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, his research addresses two core areas: politics and political cultures in the age of revolution and reform (c.1789-1832); and British and Irish imperial history (with a particular emphasis on the Ulster experience of empire).

PhD students work with a supervisor for the duration of the programme to complete a major research thesis. Students must also take a combination of generic/transferable modules and subject specific/advanced specialist modules, and must attend and make a presentation to the departmental Research Seminar, for which they receive credit.

This structured research programme prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities, including lecturing, consultancy, government service, library, museum, arts work and publishing.

Online application only   www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code MHP02 PhD Full-time MHP03 PhD Part-time Applicants for PhD direct entry are strongly advised to consult the department well in advance of their intended date of application.

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

A full CV, including educational and relevant professional experience. A Research Proposal of approximately 1000 words, outlining the research topic they wish to pursue. Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed. Non-Maynooth University students are asked to provide two academic references and a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport.

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Irish Studies (Diploma - online)

Course overview, course outline, why choose this course, course fees.

• Find Out More

President of Ireland Mary McAleese, speaking about the Irish Studies online course.

Irish Studies Online – What’s it all about?

Irish Studies Online is an interdisciplinary introduction to Irish Studies, developed by the Centre for Irish Studies, University of Galway.  The two-year part-time diploma course offers an excellent opportunity for those interested in Ireland, especially those without access to traditional programmes of study in this area. The purpose of the diploma is to provide a basic introduction to Irish life and culture through the disciplines of Archaeology, History, literature in English and in Irish (presented in translation), Political Science and Sociology, traditional Irish music and dance.

Mode of Study:  Online Learning - please visit our  Online Learning webpage  for further details on what is required to be an online learner.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the university of galway applications system . this course is listed under  adult learning undergraduate\postgraduate, cpd, micro-credentials & summer school applications..

Please visit our  How to Apply  page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and assessment.

All teaching and student-teacher interactions will take place online in the course’s online learning environment. Course content comprises illustrated text,  online asynchronous discussions with lecturer and classmates, and multi-media content that includes recorded mini-lectures and recorded site visits. There are no live teaching sessions, rather set tasks to be completed by specified days of the week, removing the requirement to be online at any particular time. Support will be provided to students to help them become familiar with the online learning environment. The assessments take the form of weekly online reports and discussions, and essays completed at the end of each module.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found here  (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.). There are no specific entry requirements for the Diploma in Irish Studies (Online).

Additional Requirements

Recognition of prior learning (rpl).

2 years, part time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake, qqi/fet fetac entry routes, closing date, mode of study.

Online Learning

ECTS weighting

Course code.

Irish Studies Online comprises six modules. The modules provide an overview of Irish history from the pagan Celtic world and the coming of Christianity, through to the cataclysmic famines of the 1840s, the establishment of an independent state in 1922 and Ireland’s integration into the European community which has been ongoing since the 1970s. Students are introduced to Irish literature in both the Irish (Gaelic) and English languages, from the Old-Irish sagas and early Irish lyrics through the emergence of Anglo-Irish literature in the 18 th century, to the 20 th century revival of writing in Irish. Emphasis is also placed on the study of Irish society since independence with due consideration of such crucial issues as gender, religion, modernization, identity and socio-economic development.

Curriculum Information

Glossary of terms, year 1 (15 credits), required is1164: early christian ireland 431-1169, is1164: early christian ireland 431-1169, semester 1 | credits: 5.

The course provides a brief overview of Irish history from the pagan Celtic world and the coming of Christianity to the arrival of the Normans in Ireland in 1169. Archaeological remains are studied to gain insights into Irish society in the pre-Christian period and in the Middle Ages. Students are introduced to Irish literary texts such as the Old-Irish sagas and study the ancient Irish epic text Táin Bó Cuailgne from an interdisciplinary perspective. The Celtic question is also addressed. (Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

• Outline the archaeological evidence from the Iron Age and Early Christian period.
• Trace major historical events during this period.
• Recognise examples of early literature in Irish.
• Discuss the accuracy of early Irish literature as a reflection of life in Ireland.
• Understand the arguments against a Celtic invasion of Ireland.

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (100%)
• MICHELLE COMBER:   Research Profile  |   Email
• SAMANTHA WILLIAMS:   Research Profile  |   Email
• NESSA CRONIN:   Research Profile  |   Email
• MÉABH NÍ FHUARTHÁIN:   Research Profile  |   Email
• BRIDIN NICDHONNCHA:   Research Profile  |   Email

Reading List

• "Early Medieval Ireland, 400-1200." by O Croinin Publisher: Longman
• "The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland." by Edwards Publisher: Routledge
• "Pagan Celtic Ireland" by Raftery Publisher: Thames and Hudson

Required IS1166: Early Modern Ireland 1603 - 1845

Is1166: early modern ireland 1603 - 1845, semester 2 | credits: 5.

Students acquire an interdisciplinary perspective on the patterns of Early Modern Irish society by integrating perspectives gained through the study of Irish literature in both Irish (Gaelic) and English, and history during the period 1603 - 1850. Students investigate the development of Irish (Gaelic) poetry and its response to the political turmoil of this period as well as exploring the events of the 1798 rebellion. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of Anglo-Irish literature. (Language of instruction: English)

• Evaluate the impact of various patterns of land settlement on the history and culture of the native Irish population.
• Compare and contrast the family origins of various literary figures of the time and explain the role this background had on their writings.
• Discuss the influences on, and differences between, Irish writers in English and Irish, 1603 - 1845.
• "The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland." by Foster Publisher: Oxford University Press
• "Irish Classics." by Kiberd Publisher: Harvard University Press
• "An Duanaire." by O Tuama and Kinsella Publisher: Dolmen Press.
• "Repossessions." by O Tuama Publisher: Cork University Press

Required IS1165: Medieval Ireland 1169 - 1603

Is1165: medieval ireland 1169 - 1603.

This course focuses on the upheaval in Irish society caused by the Anglo-Norman invasion of the twelfth century and its consequences for Irish social, political and cultural life. It provides a brief historical survey of Gaelic and Gaelicised Ireland in the early Middle Ages and an insight into the archaeology of the Irish Church. The survey also includes a brief introduction to the world of the Irish bardic poet and his work. (Language of instruction: English)

• Describe the different forms of medieval castle and the typical abbey.
• Outline the significant historical events in medieval Ireland.
• Identify the various forms of native Irish literature from the period.
• Debate the impact the Anglo-Norman invasion had on Ireland.
• "Ireland in the Age of the Tudors." by Ellis Publisher: Longman
• "The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland" by Barry Publisher: Routledge

Year 2 (15 Credits)

Required is2164: modern ireland 1845 - 1998, is2164: modern ireland 1845 - 1998.

Students acquire an interdisciplinary perspective on the patterns of Modern Irish society by integrating perspectives gained through the study of Irish literature in both languages - Irish (Gaelic) and English, and history during the period from the Irish Famine to the present day. Students study the development of Anglo-Irish literature in the 19th century as well as the 20th century revival of writing in Irish. Particular emphasis is given to the study of Irish society since independence. (Language of instruction: English)

• Be familiar with the major literary figures in both the English and Irish Language.
• Have an understanding of the role and history of the Irish Language in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• "Irish Classics." by Kiberd Publisher: Harvard University Press.
• "Repossessions." by O Tuama Publisher: Cork University Press.
• "Modern Irish Poetry." by Crotty

Required IS2166: From Ceili to Riverdance: Irish Traditional Music

Is2166: from ceili to riverdance: irish traditional music.

This course explores some of the key changes in Irish traditional music and dance practice during the long twentieth century, 1893 to 2000. Taking the cultural revival of the latter part of the nineteenth century as a starting point, students critically examine the role of music and dance practice in rural Ireland and the process of modernization which occurred as these practices became urbanized, both in Ireland and among her emigrant communities. (Language of instruction: English)

• Understand the development of Irish traditional music and dance during the twentieth century.
• Critically assess the key manifestations of Irish identity through music and dance practice in the twentieth century.
• Identify the sound and choreography of Irish music and dance in the twentieth century.
• "Focus: Irish Traditional Music." by Williams Publisher: Routledge
• "Companion to Irish Traditional Music." by Vallely Publisher: Cork University Press

Required IS2165: Social & Political Change in Contemporary Ireland

Is2165: social & political change in contemporary ireland.

This course uses the results of sociological research in Ireland to examine Irish society. There is an underlying question that is addressed as students move through the different topics - how has Irish society been changed by the economic transformation that was initiated in the 1950s? On completion of this introductory course in Irish Society, students will have gained an insight into the planned economic change and unplanned social changes that have shaped contemporary Ireland. (Language of instruction: English)

• Compare and contrast the agricultural and industrial trends of the period.
• Appraise the changing role of the Catholic Church in modern Ireland as it relates to the economic and social trends of the country.
• Identify key issues related to the changing role of women during this period.
• Discuss the various trends impacting the contemporary Irish educational system.
• Compare and contrast various social trends that relate to changing crime statistics.
• "A Sociology of Ireland." by Tovey and Share Publisher: Harvard University Press.
• "Northern Ireland conflict and change." by Tonge Publisher: Pearson.

Career Opportunities

The information and skills introduced by this course may contribute to careers in a wide variety of areas, such as in the heritage, tourism and education sectors.

Who’s Suited to This Course

This course will appeal to those who are interested in Ireland’s past and culture including primary school teachers, secondary school teachers and heritage employees.  It will also be of interest to those who are employed in the tourism industry.

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work placement, related student organisations, fees: tuition, fees: student levy, fees: non eu.

A fee scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. For more information download the  2024_25 Fees Scholarship Form

Find out More

What our students say.

Brian McDonough |   Diploma Graduate

The strength of the course is that there is constant involvement with our lecturer and other students. Each week we completed written assignments relevant to our studies. A key part of the assignments are discussion groups which allow the student to interact with other learners on a regular basis. Over a two-year period we became "friends" and learnt a great deal from each other. Michelle Comber, our lecturer, expects commitment and effort which makes the time spent quite worthwhile. The videos presented online are well thought out and the content is superb. This course allows the student to not just study history, but to examine the culture and the interplay between historic events and the shaping of the people.

Adult Learning Quick Guide PDF (2.6MB)

Postgraduate Prospectus 2024 PDF (3.3MB)

Micro-credentials Brochure Flipbook (2024/25)

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Florida State University

FSU | The Graduate School

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• Graduate Admissions

International Admissions

We are now accepting Graduate applications for Fall 2024, and Spring 2025.* *Please contact your department for application open terms and deadlines.

Our community welcomes you

Each year, the university enrolls approximately 1,700 international students. We are proud to offer extensive support and services to our international population. International applicants should plan to apply early so they have ample time to obtain their immigration documents and make living arrangements in the U.S. Any F-1/J-1 students planning to obtain their I-20/DS-2019 should contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected] . Please check with your department regarding deadlines. 

International Admissions Requirements

In addition to meeting graduate university admissions requirements, international applicants must also meet the following University requirements to be considered for admission. 

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The following are the minimum scores required for admission to the University, although some departments require higher scores at the graduate level: 

Internet based TOEFL ( IBTOEFL ): 80 

Paper based TOEFL ( TOEFL ): 550 

International English Language Testing System ( Academic IELTS ): 6.5 

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ): 55 

Duolingo : 120 (Summer 2022 and Forward)

Cambridge C1 Advanced Level : 180  (Fall 2022 and Forward)

Michigan Language Assessment : 55  (Fall 2022 and Forward)

Although official scores are required, most departments will begin to review your application with self-reported scores, while they are waiting for the official scores to arrive. You can self-report your scores on your Online Status Page, after you submit your application. 

The English Language Proficiency requirement can be waived, at the University-level, for applicants who have earned a minimum of a BA or higher in the US or in an English-Speaking Country. Please note, your department may still require proof of English-Language proficiency. *A variety of countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.

Transcript and Credential Evaluation Requirements

All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. 

To be considered "certified," documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted. 

If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required. 

International applicants or degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through the SpanTran pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends SpanTran as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy way to streamline the application process.

Please read more about our general transcript requirements on our  Graduate Admissions page. 

International Transfer Credit

International transfer credit is awarded for coursework completed at an accredited (recognized) institution of higher learning. No credit is awarded for technical, vocational, or below-college-level coursework, or courses completed with grades below "D-." An official course-by-course evaluation is required for all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the  National Association of Credential Evaluation Services . 

SUPPORT TO HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and its staff are here to serve international students and their families. They may advise you about:

• F and J visa requirements
• Cultural adjustment
• Employment matters
• Housing assistance
• Assistance with personal concerns
• Maintaining your visa status

Many academic programs only accept applications for a specific admit term. Contact your academic department to determine which admit term to apply. It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as the admit term opens. CGE also assists students throughout the New International Student Checklist and Process . You may learn more about what CGE has to offer by emailing [email protected] . 

Center for Intensive English Studies

Need to improve your English skills? FSU’s Center for Intensive English Studies can help! At CIES, you will be given personalized instruction by highly qualified teachers in a safe, friendly environment.

Please note that admission to and completion of the CIES program does not necessarily guarantee admission to the University as a degree-seeking student.

CIES also offers:

• TEFL certification  opportunities
• Credit-bearing courses and workshops  to enhance your English speaking ability

Learn more about how the Center for Intensive English Studies can help you.  

Florida State University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Form I-20. If granted admission to the University, an email with instructions on how to complete the I-20 will be sent from the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). You will provide information verifying your financial support (bank statements, award letters, scholarships, etc.) through the I-20 application. FSU requires proof of financial support for the first year of study and demonstrated availability of funds for the length of your academic program

Estimated International Student Costs:

For more information on estimated costs of living and the I-20 process, please visit  CGE’s website .  

I-20 Application

Shortly after admission, students will receive an email with instructions for completing the online I-20 application to demonstrate proof of adequate funding. Florida State University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Form I-20. Applicants must show proof of financial support for the first year of study and confirm availability of funds for the length of the academic program.

For more information, contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected] .

US Federal Grants and Loans are not Awarded to International Students

Graduate students may apply to their respective departments for assistantships or fellowships, although funds are very limited. For further information, please contact your academic department directly. 

SPEAK (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit) is a test for evaluating the English speaking ability of non-native speakers of English. At FSU, the SPEAK test is administered by the Center for Intensive English Studies to international students who have been appointed or will be appointed as teaching assistants in an academic department at Florida State University.

For more information, click here .

  Explore Funding Opportunities 

May the TOEFL be waived?

The TOEFL may only be waived as a test requirement if the student has received a bachelor's or master's degree from a U.S. institution.

Can you review my documents prior to applying?

Students must submit the application, application fee, and any required departmental materials for application materials to be reviewed.

Can the application fee be waived?

Unfortunately, the Office of Admissions is unable to waive the application fee payment for graduate applicants.  In order to complete your application for review, you must submit the application fee payment by logging in to your Application Status Check ,  along with any other documents required by the department. 

When will I receive a decision?

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FSU is currently waiving the GRE requirement for most master’s and specialist programs through Fall 2026*. For more information on whether the requirement can be waived, please contact your graduate department. 

* Excludes the College of Business

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​​​​​​ The FSU Center of Intensive English Studies (CIES) offers comprehensive courses to help students improve their English skills. Students who complete the top-level of the CIES program will not have to take an English Language Proficiency test.

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• The Graduate School offers fellowship and grant opportunities for graduate students. For current FSU students, the  Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards  assists in identifying and applying for external funding opportunities. In addition,  here is some more information  about additional funding opportunities for international students. 
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PhD Percentage by Country / Number of Doctorate Degrees per Country 2024

1. slovenia.

Slovenia is the highest-ranking country in the number of Ph.D. degrees earned by adults between the ages of 25 and 64. 5% of the entire population in Slovenia has a Ph.D. The distribution between Ph.D. adults in Slovenia finds more female doctorates than males. About 4.5% of adult females have a Ph.D., compared to about 3% of adult males in Slovenia.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland has the second-highest rate of Ph.Ds. globally, with nearly 3% of the adult population holding this advanced degree. In Switzerland, men are more likely to hold a Ph.D., representing 4% of the total doctorate population, compared to about 2.5% for female doctorates.

3. Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, 2% of the total population holds a Ph.D. There are several countries tied for 2% of the population with a Ph.D., and almost all of the highly educated countries are in Europe . In Luxembourg, 2.5% of Ph.D. holders are male, compared to 2% female.

4. United States

The United States is tied with European countries when it comes to being a highly educated population. About 2% of the U.S. population holds a Ph.D. Men are more likely than women to have a Ph.D. in the United States, with 2.5% of the Ph.D. candidates male and about 2% female.

Like other countries on our list, Sweden is tied with 2% of the total population holding a doctorate degree. In this country, males and females are just about equal when it comes to this advanced degree. Around 2.5% of males have a Ph.D., while 2.2% of females hold a Ph.D. in Sweden.

6. The United Kingdom

Rounding out our list of highly educated countries with the most Ph.Ds., the United Kingdom has about 2% of the population holding a Ph.D. In the United Kingdom, males and females are pretty close to equal in higher education. Males account for more Ph.D. degrees, with about 2.5%, while females are close behind with nearly 2.3% Ph.Ds.

Another European country on our list of the most Ph.Ds., Germany, has about 2% of its population with a Ph.D. This country sees a more significant discrepancy between males and females when it comes to higher education. About 1.75% of males account for Ph.Ds. awarded, while only about 1% of females have their Ph.D. in Germany.

8. Australia

Breaking up the stranglehold at the top of our list between Europe and the United States, Australia makes the list with the 8th most Ph.D. citizens per capita. In Australia, 2% of the population holds a doctorate degree. Males and females are almost identical regarding Ph.Ds., with males just slightly earning a Ph.D. more frequently. Males account for 1.1% of Ph.Ds. in the country, while females account for 1.0% of the Ph.Ds. awarded in Australia.

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What country has the highest percentage of PhDs?

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• What are the characteristics and outcomes of doctoral graduates? - OECD
• These countries have the most doctoral graduates - World Economic Forum
• List of countries by number of doctorates awarded - Wiki

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She Just Earned Her Doctorate at 17. Now, She’ll Go to the Prom.

Dorothy Jean Tillman II of Chicago made history as the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health at Arizona State University.

By Alexandra E. Petri

When Dorothy Jean Tillman II successfully defended her dissertation in November 2023 to earn her doctoral degree from Arizona State University, she couldn’t wait to share the news with her best friend.

“It was a surreal moment,” Dr. Tillman said, “because it was crazy I was doing it in the first place.”

Dr. Tillman, at only 17, became the youngest person to earn a doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State’s College of Health Solutions, all before she was eligible to vote. Earlier this month, Dr. Tillman, now 18, took part in Arizona State’s commencement ceremony and delivered remarks as the outstanding 2024 graduate at the College of Health Solution’s convocation.

Lesley Manson, program director for the doctorate of behavioral health at Arizona State and Dr. Tillman’s doctoral chair, said Dr. Tillman displayed extraordinary perseverance, hard work and dedication for her young age, tackling every challenge head-on.

“She can serve as a real role model,” Ms. Manson said.

Dr. Tillman, called D.J. by her family and friends, was an early bloomer. She grew up in Chicago and was home-schooled from a young age, first in a group setting through online classes, and then by her mother, Jimalita Tillman, a single parent with a background in community theater.

Dr. Tillman was part of a gifted program before transitioning to home-schooling. Jimalita Tillman continued her daughter on an accelerated track: By the time she was 8, she was taking high school classes. While most 9-year-olds were learning math and reading, Dr. Tillman was starting college online.

At the time, they lived with Jimalita Tillman’s mother, Dorothy Wright Tillman, a civil rights activist who worked alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was a Chicago alderman. Dr. Tillman is her grandmother’s namesake (hence the II at the end of Dr. Tillman’s name).

During her early college days, Dr. Tillman’s classroom was often a Starbucks in Chicago, and her days began as soon it opened, she said. Her go-to order was an iced peach green tea with lemonade.

“Around the time when kids went to lunch, we’d be closing the computer,” said Dr. Tillman, who said her discipline and focus come from her grandmother.

Because of her age, Dr. Tillman lived at home while pursuing her higher education, and most of her coursework was online — a challenge for a self-described social butterfly. “I do love meeting new people and talking to people and understanding them and how their brains work,” she said. She found other ways to stay connected with friends through after-school activities.

At 10, she earned her associate degree in psychology at the College of Lake County in Illinois. At 12, she received her Bachelor of Science in humanities at Excelsior College in New York, and at 14, she earned a Master of Science from Unity College in Maine. She chose those fields because they can help scientists “understand why people treat the environment the way they do,” she told Time for Kids in a July 2020 interview.

Ellen Winner, a professor of psychology at Boston College and the author of “Gifted Children: Myths and Realities,” said that children like Dr. Tillman have a motivational intensity she calls a “rage to master.”

“One of the reasons they push themselves is they have a high, innate ability of some kind, and so learning, in whatever they are gifted in, comes easily to them and it’s very pleasurable,” she said. Schools are often not equipped for such gifted children, she added, which may lead parents to home-school their children. The trade-off, she and some experts say, is missing out on socialization and learning with children their age.

“There’s no perfect solution to kids like this,” Ms. Winner said.

Jimalita Tillman said she was sure her daughter was finished with higher education after earning her master’s degree. Dr. Tillman had just launched an organization to support Black youth in Chicago interested in STEM and the arts called the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute. It was 2020, just after the beginning of the pandemic.

She was surprised when her daughter said she wanted to pursue her doctorate, and even tried to dissuade Dr. Tillman. But Dr. Tillman wanted to help young people with their mental health. She told her mother to trust her.

“I had to follow her lead,” Jimalita Tillman, 42, said.

Dr. Tillman was accepted into the management concentration at Arizona State’s College of Health Solutions, an online doctorate program. Her thesis on developing programs to reduce the stigma for college students seeking mental health services was based on a study she conducted for an in-person internship at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Dr. Tillman hopes her story resonates with girls who are talkative, outgoing “out-there kind of girls who are trying to figure themselves out but are very smart.”

“I want them to see someone who has taken that energy, sparkle and excitement and packaged it in a way that is classy and beautiful,” she said.

Dr. Tillman may now have her doctorate, but she’s also excited about teenage things — like attending a prom. On Saturday, she going as her best friend’s date to his senior dance. They’re taking an Escalade outfitted with stars on the ceiling, she said, a feature she requested and that her mother made happen.

Dr. Tillman has been focused on school and her professional pursuits, and she plans to host her institute’s summer camp again. Then, she said, she plans to take a beat and have a “fun teenage summer,” doing things she loves, discovering new hobbies and figuring herself out in the process.

“I want to focus on who I am,” she said.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Rice university phd graduate defies the odds after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Doctors predicted he wouldn't make it past his 20s after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Not only has Dr. Felix Wu defied the odds, but he's also been thriving after graduating from Rice University . Now, he's working towards making the world a better place for people with disabilities.

It was a day Lisa Hu and Gang Wu will never forget. Felix Wu was only about 3 years old when his family visited different doctors to find out what was impacting his mobility and causing him to fall frequently.

Finally, they got an answer from one of their physicians. It was Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). They grappled in shock when they were given a grim prognosis that their son would likely only live to be between 18 and 25 years old.

"Our world turned upside down. The landscape suddenly became something we didn't know. At the time, treatment was very limited, and there's no cure. So it was very tough for us. Our focus became to slow the progression of the disease," Hu said.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association , muscle weakness is the primary symptom of DMD.

It can begin as early as 2 years old, first affecting the muscles close to the core of the body and then later impacting the limbs. Children with the condition may have difficulty jumping, running, and walking.

READ MORE: Teacher refuses to let muscular dystrophy slow him down

Felix Wu shared that it was tough as a child when he couldn't participate in the same physical activities as his classmates or when he had to navigate in and out of buildings that weren't very accessible for people with disabilities. However, he said what affected him the most was how others perceived him.

"I've been questioned about what I'm able to achieve, and it's taken opportunities away from me. There's been assumptions that I'm not intelligent or mature enough to handle certain things. When I did succeed, sometimes people would assume I took some type of shortcut, and that's how I got here," Felix Wu said.

Felix Wu's condition was something his parents couldn't control. So they started focusing on what they could control, taking their son to see the world and supporting him in whatever he wanted to do.

"All we can do is give him our love and educate him as much as we can about DMD. We let him make his own decisions about his health and tell us what he wants or doesn't want to do," Hu said.

One of their favorite activities to do together as a family is visit national parks around the country, and they have been to more than 70 so far.

Felix Wu also loves playing video and board games in his spare time, such as Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering.

But Felix Wu has also always been extremely studious. To Hu and Gang Wu's surprise, he committed to doing well academically and ranking at the top of his class, pointing out that his parents never pressured him to get good grades.

"He's very self-driving, and on top of that, he's very smart. He learns things very fast. We're happy that he has been doing so good. But sometimes, we have to remind him to slow down and take care of his health," Gang Wu said.

SEE ALSO: A unique concert for boy battling muscular dystrophy

As Felix Wu reflected during Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, he said his parents, who are originally from China and came to the U.S. in the 1980s for college, are the inspiration behind his success.

"I think about how lucky I am for the resources I have to this day that they didn't have. That's definitely motivated me to keep moving forward," Felix Wu said.

For the last nine years, Gang Wu has made the hour-long drive between Katy and Rice University to get Felix to class.

But this month, they took their last ride to campus. Felix Wu graduated with a PhD in psychological sciences focusing on industrial-organizational and quantitative psychology, making him a "triple owl" for earning his bachelor's and master's degrees at the prestigious institution.

"No matter what the stakes are for his future, we know Felix is going to fight. It doesn't matter if he's going to win or not, he's going to fight," Gang Wu said.

Felix Wu, who is now 26, is taking a short break before starting his new job at a consulting firm.

He told ABC13 he plans to continue using his research and data to help improve workplace conditions for people with disabilities.

"People with disabilities are employed at a far lower rate than everybody else. That's important because, economically, you need a job to actually be able to survive and thrive. This is an important area where I can bring my own experience and show that there are still a lot of things that people with disabilities can do," Felix Wu said.

For stories on Houston's diverse communities, follow Rosie Nguyen on Facebook , X and Instagram .

SEE ALSO: AAPI domestic violence survivor recalls her abusive relationship: 'I was living in survival mode'

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