Philosophy - Doctor of Philosophy - Research

Develop your skills as a researcher at RCSI

You will have a range of resources, research development opportunities and training at your disposal during your PhD, including:



Core and optional modules as part of our research development training – all PhD scholars are expected to complete all four (PC01-PC04) core modules as part of their degree.



Access to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, which allows you to map your competencies, identify areas for improvement and develop transferable skills



International placements – we have a competitive award for those without funding who can apply for three-month international secondment award (RCSI-funded).



Dissemination of your research. The perfect starting point for this is our annual Research Day; apply for a poster or oral presentation and practice key presenting and communication skills.



Dedicated write-up space in our Postgraduate Suite in our new Library.



Key milestones

Below is a timeline of a typical structured four-year PhD programme.



1. Project proposal



With the help of your supervisors, you will submit a comprehensive project proposal when applying to RCSI. This will help you to form a solid plan and kick-start your research.



2. Research development



Participate in the four core modules (PC01-PC04) on offer during your studies.



3. Annual progress review



You submit an annual progress review at the end of your first year. Following each annual review, an oral presentation is conducted to assess your progression, by two independent staff members, who decide on your continued registration.



4. Submit your thesis



You will submit a thesis completion plan nine months before your planned submission. Once your thesis is submitted – at any time in your fourth year of study – one external examiner and one internal examiner will assess your thesis.



5. Graduation



If the thesis is deemed of sufficient quality, you will be conferred with a PhD in your chosen field.

To be considered eligible for the programme, you must:



Have an upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or;



MB/BAO/BCh degrees or;



An MSc degree in a relevant subject.



Have an RCSI supervisor with whom you have agreed the topic of your thesis and the logistical details for your candidature (e.g. start date, location for initial research training etc.).



You will also need to supply a copy of an academic IELTS examination, or equivalent (for candidates whose first language is not English).

Each unique structured Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) project is carried out over a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years (full-time).



Within this time you will be guided through your research project with the support of your supervisors and the RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies

EU applicants: €7,150 (per annum)


Non-EU applicants: €13,800 (per annum)


If you chose to complete the programme on a part-time basis – over a minimum of five years – the fees are as follows:


•EU applicants: €4,750 (per annum)

•Non-EU applicants: €9,200 (per annum)


Please note


•An additional NUI fee of €45 (per annum) applies for Years 1 to 3.


•Fees are subject to annual review and can increase by up to 4% per annum.


•It is your own responsibility to register each year. Failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification from the degree programme.

Your postgraduate degree at RCSI builds skills, expertise and specialist knowledge in your chosen field, in preparation for career pathways across many employment sectors including higher education, health, and industry or entrepreneurial roles.



Your degree will equip you with a transferable skill-set that is highly valued by employers, ranging from problem-solving, critical reasoning, and thinking in-depth to the ability to project manage, communicate and collaborate effectively.



As a graduate of RCSI, you join a community of over 30,000 alumni worldwide.



With campuses located in Dublin, Dubai, Bahrain and Malaysia, and a global network of strong and productive collaborators, some of the world’s most exciting career opportunities are available to you as a graduate of RCSI.