Core and Core Option Modules
All students must take the following module:
All students take at least one of the following three modules:
Quantitative and Computational Social Science Programme Structure
QCSS students are required to complete a minimum of 35 credits of course works in Stage 1, followed by a programme of original research leading to the award of Doctoral degree by research.
* Applications currently being accepted for the UCD Honohan Doctoral Scholarship and two UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships *
Option Modules
In addition, all students take at least three modules, totalling to at least 15 credits. Students with a technical background (computer science, engineering, statistics) take these modules from relevant offerings in the social sciences, while students with a social science background (incl. business and law) take these modules from relevant offerings in computer science, mathematics, and/or statistics.
- ACM40290 Numerical Algorithms
- COMP40610 Information Visualisation
- COMP40730 High Performance Computing
- COMP41680 Data Science in Python
- COMP47470 Big Data Programming
- COMP47670 Data Science in Python
- ECON42720 Causal Inference and Policy Evaluation
- IS41510 Social Networks Online and Off
- PLAN40220 Geographical Information Systems
- POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists
- POL42530 Politics of International Trade and Investment
- POL42540 Applied Data Wrangling and Visualisation
- POL42550 Feminist Theory
- POL42560 AI and Large Language Models
- SOC30380 Social Dynamics and Networks
- SOC40640 Social Simulation: Methods and Models
- SOC41070 SocThinking in the Digital Age
- SOC41130 AI and Society
- STAT30270 Statistical Machine Learning
- STAT40150 Multivariate Analysis
- STAT40400 Monte Carlo Inference
- STAT40680 Stochastic Models
The range of modules is subject to change.
Application Timelines
-
UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship Applicants
Applications now being accepted until 30th January 2026
-
UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarship Applicants
Applications now being accepted until 6th February 2026
-
Research Ireland Applicants
Coincides with Research Ireland deadlines.
Generally from 31st August to 7th September -
All Other Fully-Funded Applicants
A rolling deadline between 1st October and 31st July
For non-EU applicants the deadline is 30th June
Application Procedure
UCD Honohan Doctoral Scholarship and UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships - Applications now open!!
Applications are now being accepted for the UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship and two UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships
Deadline for Honohan Scholarship: 30th January 2026 at 5pm Dublin time
Deadline for Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships: 6th February 2026 at 5pm Dublin time
Programme Duration
Duration: 3-4 Years Full Time
Entry to the programme is in September only
Entry Criteria
For the structured PhD programme in Quantitative and Computational Social Science, applications are welcomed from applicants with a Master’s degree in data science, computer science, quantitative political science, economics, statistics, and other social science subjects. Applicants to our research degree programmes must have completed and earned a minimum of a 2.1 grade (GPA: 3.6) in a taught Masters (MA, MSc, MLitt, etc.) programme.
Application Process and Timeframes
Note: SPIRe only accepts students who have a full scholarship (UCD Honohan Doctoral Scholarship or Research Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship) or alternative external funding, to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses.
Self-funded applicants are not eligible.
Applications to the PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science are dependent on the award of either a Honohan Doctoral Scholarship, a (opens in a new window)Research Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship or another fully-funded scholarship.
The Honohan Doctoral Scholarship is managed by the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe).
Applications for the Honohan Scholarship are now open!
Full details can be found here
In addition, the school currently has Two Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarships available.
Full details can be found here
The Research Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship is a Government of Ireland programme. Anyone who hopes to apply for the RI scholarship with a SPIRe mentor must first submit an application to the School and be conditionally accepted. The school application timeframe for this varies from year to year but generally opens at the end of August and closes in early September.
Full details can be found here
Honohan and Research Ireland applications will only be accepted within the stated timelines.
Application Process for all other fully-funded applicants
Applications outside of the Honohan and Research Ireland processes are accepted on a rolling basis between 1st October and 31st July for EU applicants and between 1st October and 30th June for Non-EU applicants.
Note: Anyone submitting the Google form below must have full external funding e.g. government scholarship, to includes full fees and an adequate annual stipend.
You will be asked to show proof of this funding.
Required Documents
You will be asked to upload the following documents to your Google form submission (Google form available shortly)
- Cover letter, stating reasons for interest in the Quantitative and Computational Social Science programme.
- Proof of Funding (Full Fees and Annual Stipend)
- Thesis proposal (1,500-2,000 words maximum, excluding bibliography) using the following headings:
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- provisional thesis title
- a statement of the research question
- a brief literature review that points to research gaps the PhD project could address
- an outline of theoretical approaches considered
- a brief discussion of the proposed methodology
- Copies of Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
- C.V. or Resume (2 pages maximum)
- Evidence of English language competence
Non-native English speaking applicants must provide a cert from one of the examining bodies listed on this page.
The certificate should be no more than 2 years old and must meet the minimum requirements as noted on the above webpage.
Certificates from examining bodies not on this list or that do not meet the UCD minimum requirements will not be considered.
If you have obtained a degree from a university in an English-speaking country, you are exempt from having to provide an English certificate.
- Two academic referees: You are required to include the contact details of two academic referees, who have agreed to provide a reference, on the google form. If your application is successful, we will be contacting your referees to obtain references.