Admissions

Postgraduate Admissions

• All applications should be submitted throughUCD’s online application portal.
• Applicants to all programmes are assessed on a case by case basis, and prospective students are encouraged to(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)contact the School Manager if they are unsure of their eligibility.
• Applicants may be required to attend an interview either via Zoom or in person.
• To check the status of your application, go to(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)https://crm.ucd.ie/apply.
• Fluency in written English is required for all programmes. If you are not a native speaker of English and your secondary education or university degree has not been carried out in English, then you must have a minimum score of 6·5 IELTS (minimum of 6·0 in each band) and you must submit evidence of this in your application.
• Students applying for postgraduate study from outside the EU should see the details on theUCD Global webpage.

Note: Eligibility to apply for admission to a graduate programme does not guarantee a place on the programme as demand generally exceeds the number of available places.

Why pursue a PhD in Philosophy at UCD? 

The PhD in Philosophy at University College Dublin is a research degree designed for  students who wish to make an original contribution to philosophy within an internationally  recognised department. The School of Philosophy at University College Dublin is  consistently ranked among the top 100 philosophy departments worldwide (QS World  Rankings 2017–2025). Each year we host a lively and diverse postgraduate community of  around sixty students (taught MA, MLitt, and PhD) working across a variety of areas of  philosophy. As a PhD student, you become part of an active intellectual culture that  includes weekly work-in-progress seminars run jointly with Trinity College Dublin, regular  reading groups, coffee mornings, and the annual graduate philosophy conference  organised by our students. Throughout the year, the School welcomes leading  philosophers for lectures and conferences, which gives you further chances to engage with  international research. You also have the opportunity to contribute to the postgraduate  journal Perspectives as a member of the editorial team.  

Who Should Apply 

• Applicants are normally expected to hold, or be completing, an MA (or equivalent) in  philosophy. They should also hold a 2.1 or higher BA in Philosophy or a related  subject. 
• Exceptionally, candidates with an excellent undergraduate record and strong  evidence of research ability in Philosophy may also be considered. 
• Your research project should align with the expertise of faculty; it’s vital to review  faculty interests and possible supervisors before applying. 

Timelines & Deadlines 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit by these deadlines. Late applications may  be considered in exceptional circumstances, but those will not be eligible for internal  scholarships.

Required Application Documents and What We Look For  

Your application must include the following documents. Each plays a central role in how  we assess your suitability and fit for the PhD program at our School. 

• Research proposal: A detailed proposal of around two pages, with a provisional  table of contents and a bibliography of at least ten items. We are looking for clarity,  originality, feasibility, and a sense of the project’s contribution to the field. This is  also where you should identify your proposed supervisor. Before applying, you must  contact a faculty member whose research aligns with your project and discuss it  with them. The faculty member’s agreement to supervise you must be confirmed in  the proposal. This agreement is required for your application to be considered, but it  does not by itself guarantee admission. 
• Two academic references: These should be from academic referees who can  speak to your promise as a PhD candidate, research ability, and independence.  Referees may send their letters directly to (opens in a new window)philosophy@ucd.ie or you can upload  them to the portal, depending on your referees’ preference. 
• Writing sample: A philosophical essay or paper of up to 8,000 words (for example,  an MA essay or a thesis chapter). We assess the quality of arguments,  philosophical maturity, and clarity of style. 
• Statement of personal interest: A short statement (maximum 1,000 words)  explaining your motivation for doctoral study, your intellectual background, and your  reasons for applying to UCD’s School of Philosophy.  
• Academic transcripts: Official transcripts for all university-level study. These help  us to evaluate your coursework performance, grades, and consistency of  achievement. 
• Proof of English language proficiency: Required if your first language is not  English. 

Important: Only applications that include all of the above documents will be forwarded to  the School’s Graduate Committee for review. Incomplete applications cannot be assessed. 

How Your Application Will Be Processed  

Once all required documents have been received, your application will be carefully  reviewed by the Graduate Committee. Candidates who show strong academic preparation  and research potential are invited to an interview with their prospective supervisor and a  member of the Graduate Committee. Applicants who are not shortlisted will be informed  promptly at this stage. The final decision on admission to the PhD programme is made  after the interview.

General Entry Requirements for the Taught MA Programmes

• A BA with a 2:1 (a GPA of approx. 3·2) in Philosophy

OR

• A Joint Major BA in Philosophy with a 2:1 in Philosophy and a 2:2 in the second subject
• A Postgraduate Diploma with a 2:1 in Philosophy

However, all applications are assessed on a case by case basis, and so students with a 2:2 in philosophy should also consider applying.

Further details on applying for the Cognitive Science MSc programme may be found(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)here.

Required Application Documents and What We Look For 

• Two academic references: These should be from academic referees who can  speak to your promise as a PhD candidate, research ability, and independence.  Referees may send their letters directly to (opens in a new window)philosophy@ucd.ie or you can upload  them to the portal, depending on your referees’ preference. 
• Writing sample: A philosophical essay or paper of up to 3,000 words (for example,  an UG essay submitted as part of your degree or on a philosophical topic of your choice). We assess the quality of arguments,  philosophical maturity, and clarity of style. 
• Statement of personal interest: A short statement (maximum 1,000 words) explaining your motivation for further study, and your  reasons for applying to UCD’s School of Philosophy.  
• Academic transcripts: Official transcripts for all university-level study. These help  us to evaluate your coursework performance, grades, and consistency of  achievement. 
• Proof of English language proficiency: Required if your first language is not  English.