PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and MLitt (Research Master)
The School of Music is one of the leading centres for graduate musical study in Ireland and a QS World Top 100 Performing Arts department. Our graduate programmes give students the opportunity to work with scholars of international standing in the School's core disciplines of historical musicology, ethnomusicology and composition. The PhD and MLitt programmes afford the chance to complete a major research project under the supervision of an expert in the field, or alternatively a composition portfolio.
Graduate students at UCD are part of a friendly and supportive research culture that foregrounds regular interaction between faculty and students. We pride ourselves on the research initiative shown by our graduate students: current students edit 'The Musicology Review', chair (opens in a new window)the Dublin Musicology Collective, and play a substantial role in the organisation of our seminar series. Our annual Graduate Colloquium offers a regular opportunity for students to share work in progress, while our PhD Forum allows a supportive environment in which to discuss broader topics relating to research and professional development.
Many current and recent PhD students have been successful in applying for (opens in a new window)Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellowships from the Irish Research Council (IRC) for fully funded study. It is possible to apply for these fellowships either in the year prior to starting the intended PhD programme, or during the PhD itself, to fund the remaining years of study.
All of UCD’s research programmes are now fully modularised and offered with taught components (such as Transferable Skills modules and Teaching Apprenticeships). In addition to the main supervisor, research students will be supported by a Research Studies Panel. The panel frequently involves faculty members from other disciplines, to enable the best possible guidance for projects with an interdisciplinary element.
The MLitt degree can be awarded after two years’ study and the submission of a substantial thesis. MLitt students may transfer to the PhD programme after completing one year of research, subject to the recommendation of the supervisor and the approval of the Head of School. The PhD is a three-four year structured degree programme centred around the submission of a longer dissertation.
Entry Requirements and Application Process
Applicants to the PhD & MLitt programme should have achieved a first or a very high 2.1 in their undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees.
If you have a question on any of our graduate programmes please email our Graduate Programmes Director, Professor Wolfgang Marx at (opens in a new window)wolfgang.marx@ucd.ie and our School Manager at (opens in a new window)music@ucd.ie in the first instance. Applicants for the PhD programme should make informal contact with a potential PhD supervisor before submitting a formal application.
You will then be asked to submit the following documents.
- A PhD Proposal of 1000-2000 words, to include an abstract, chapter outline, and select bibliography
- An academic writing sample of ca. 3000 words (can be one long essay or two shorter essays)
- Your academic transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by the School’s postgraduate entrance committee. You can expect to hear back from them within one month.