PG Research - Modules on Structured PhD Register

Categories of Structured PhD Modules

PGR students can select from five module categories:

1. Modules Offered as Part of Taught Postgraduate Courses

• Belong to existing taught postgraduate courses.
• Captured in SITS by the Academic Registry via a new course proposal.
• Coded to the School owning the module as per the course proposal.

2. Research Skills Modules for PGR Groups

• Offered to groups of PGR students within a School or Discipline.
• Coded to the School.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.

3. Bespoke Modules for Individual PGR Students

• Tailored to individual students to address specific research skill gaps.
• Coded to the School registering the student.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• PhD supervisors input student results into SITS.

4. Modules Offered by Non-School Units (e.g., CAPSL, Library)

• Provided for students college-wide by non-School units (e.g., CAPSL, Library).
• Without School ownership, they belong to the “Dean’s Basket” and are coded to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• Module coordinators input student results into SITS. 

5. Modules Offered by External Bodies (e.g., CRDI, DUBCHEM, or Other HEIs)

• Delivered by external institutions in collaboration with a School or Discipline but without Trinity ownership.
• Without School ownership, they belong to the “Dean’s Basket” and are coded to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (a detailed memo from the external institution on Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• PhD supervisors input student results into SITS.

For further information on these types of modules, refer to the PhD Research Handbook or contact Frances Leogue at the Graduate Studies Office genadgso@tcd.ie.

For details pertaining to approval of Changes impacting Stand-alone Structured PhD Modules please refer to Appendix 1 (pages 4 to 5) of the Programme and Curriculum Design and Approval Policy.

For advise on submission to GSC, please contact the Graduate Studies secretary, esdowska@tcd.ie.