Business - Doctor of Philosophy - Research - Waterford

One of the most challenging and rewarding ways to study is to travel your own path and do a research degree at PhD level. Studying at this level requires that you like doing independent research and have demonstrated, at some stage in your academic or professional career, an ability to write critically at an advanced level.



The starting point for a PhD is finding an appropriate supervisory match. At the School of Business, we are well established in the area of postgraduate research supervision. Currently, we have approximately thirty research students engaging in research across a wide range of topics relating to business, and we welcome applications from prospective students wishing to pursue independent postgraduate research.



So for example, if you are interested in how firms grow and develop you may be engaged by our research on enterprise development, regional economy, leadership capability, knowledge sharing and transfer, and innovation. If you are interested in how firms finance and govern their affairs you could be inspired by our research in behavioural finance and capital markets, small firm finance, governance and corporate responsibility, and personal finance. If you are interested in marketing, we have specialisms in branding, service innovation, strategic marketing, and business-to-business marketing.



The School operates a Structured PhD programme, which is a development of the traditional PhD where students select an area of enquiry and complete their doctoral thesis under the supervision of one designated supervisor. On our structured programme, you will work with a supervisory team (minimum of two supervisors) to develop your doctoral thesis. In addition, in consultation with your supervisors, you will identify specific areas where you would benefit from attending taught modules, and will complete 30 ECTS credits, before programme completion.



In summary, undertaking the structured PhD programme entails the following:



You will develop and execute a research project under the supervision of highly-qualified research leaders.



You will demonstrate outstanding scholarship and ability, conducting original, independent research while acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the specialist area wherein your research is focussed.



You will participate in a range of taught modules, tailored to your individual training needs, covering both generic and discipline-specific skills designed to enhance your career development following graduation.



Your research will culminate in a written doctoral thesis which will be assessed at a viva voce examination.

A wide range of modules are available for selection on the programme, designed to enable you to develop your ability to undertake independent research at an advanced level. Both Universal modules (designed to develop generic skills) and Project Path modules (designed to develop discipline-specific skills) are made available. You are required to complete 30 ECTS before submitting your doctoral thesis.



Universal PhD Modules available to research students

The following Universal Path Modules are provided to enable you to develop important generic skills. Students must complete a minimum of 10 credits from these modules:



Full Title Credits Module ID



Research Planning and Project Management 5 RESA-0183

Innovation and Entrepreneurship 5 ENTR-0038

Statistics and Quantitative Data Analysis 5 STAT-0055

Research Integrity and Ethics (mandatory) 5 RESA-0180

Introduction to Research Methodologies 5 RESA-0179

Research Communication 5 COMM-0078

Academic Writing for Research Postgraduates 5 RESA-0182

Practical Pedagogy for Research Postgraduates 10 RESA-0181

Power, Place and Knowledge Production 5 PROD-0019



Project Path Modules available to research students

The following Project Path modules are designed to enable you to develop important discipline-specific skills. Students must complete a minimum of 10 credits from these modules.



Full Title Credits

Professional Skills Development 1 5

Business Theory Development and Application 1 5

Research Philosophy 5

Qualitative Data Analysis 5

Advanced Statistical Analysis 5

Directed Independent Learning 5

External Advanced Research Learning 5

External 5 Credit Module 5

External 10 Credit Module 10

The entry requirement for registration on a PhD research degree is an Honours Bachelor degree (minimum level: Second Class Honours) in a field of study related to the subject matter of the PhD degree sought.



For applicants whose first language is not English, demonstrable competence in English, both spoken and written, is also required (e.g. 6.5 IELTS). Please see SETU Waterford’s English Language Requirements for details.

When does the PhD Programme start and how long does it take to complete?

Our PhD programme runs throughout the academic year. New research students are typically enrolled at either the beginning of September or the beginning of January. Students may enrol on either a full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) basis. The minimum enrolment periods for each option are:



Full-time Minimum 48 months

Part-time Minimum 72 months

Delivery Blended

NEXT INTAKE Rolling intake

Aligned with our School’s aim of developing a deep understanding of important global, societal and economic issues, our current doctoral students are engaged in researching a wide range of topics.