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Zoology

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PhD

A degree in Zoology can lead to a wealth of opportunities. Our graduates are game-changers, they have: worked all over the world, won the Nobel prize, gone on to further study in zoology, ecology, medicine, veterinary science and pharmacy, saved threatened species, made nature films, and formed environmental and biodiversity policy.

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Is this for me?

The PhD community in Zoology is active and diverse. Our research focuses on a diverse range of topics funded from a variety of external sources.

Through on-going consultation with students and their supervisors, the Discipline has developed a Postgraduate Research Student Handbook. Guidance committees, as described in the document, draw on additional expertise from outside the Discipline, School and University.

Download the PhD Self Assessment Form (as a .pdf or as a .docx file).

How to apply

The first step in the process of exploring the possibilities for PhD research in Zoology is to contact the member of staff whose research interests are most closely aligned with your own. It is normal for PhD students to have funding in place to cover fees and living expenses for the 3 to 4 years of the programme. If you are looking for funding to do a PhD please explore funding opportunities by clicking on the button below. Applications can be made at any time of the year, and the PhD programme can start in two dates each year, March or September.

If a member of staff agrees to support your application for a PhD then the next step is to apply for the programme. Click here for general details on how to apply for this course at Trinity College Dublin. 

Other helpful information includes:

Please note all applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. For details of English language requirements please click here.

Funding

It is very important to understand that an offer from a member of staff to supervise your project, and successful application to the programme, does not imply that the position is funded. You must ensure that you have adequate funding to pay the annual University fee (~€6,500 for EU students, and ~€13,000 for non-EU students) and support yourself in Dublin. For the rules on eligibility for the EU fee please see further information here.

There are a number of ways to find funding:

  • The Trinity College Postgraduate Award is currently €6,500 per year for 3 years, plus fees (both EU and non-EU). TCD offers a more limited number of Ussher Fellowships, which are for €13,000 per year for 3 years, plus fees (both EU and non-EU). You can apply for both of these awards when you make your application to the programme here.
  • The Irish Research Council fund postgraduate studentships through their Government of Ireland PhD fellowship scheme which offers a stipend of €16,000 per annum, plus fees and research costs.  The IRC also offers funding to undertake PhD research in collaboration with industry through their Enterprise partnership PhD fellowship and the Employment-based PhD Scheme.
  • If you have completed a first degree at an Irish university or IT and had a local authority grant then it is possible to have that grant renewed to do a Ph.D. See here for more details.

Further information on fees and funding can be found at the following links: