Roles and Responsibilities
Graduate Studies Committee
The Graduate Studies Committee is a Committee of the University Council and acts as an advisory committee to the Dean and to the Council. The Graduate Studies Committee's Terms of Reference are described in the Calendar Part III.
Graduate Studies Committee meetings are chaired by the Dean of Graduate Studies and are scheduled to take place monthly on Thursdays from 10.00am to 13.00pm in 2024/25 on the following dates:
| 19th September, 2024 |
| 17th October, 2024 |
| 14th November, 2024 |
| 12th December, 2024 |
| 23rd January, 2025 |
| 27th February, 2025 |
| 3rd April, 2025 |
| 1st May, 2025 (no course proposals) |
To view the Graduate Studies Committee meetings' agendas and minutes, please visit the Committee Papers page.
Click here for information on the membership of the Graduate Studies Committee
The membership of the Graduate Studies Committee is defined by the Statutes. The Graduate Studies Committee shall consist of:
- The Dean of Graduate Studies,
- The Dean of Research,
- The Directors of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) in each of the Schools and the Academic Director of Tangent,
- The President of the Graduate Students’ Union, and
- The Vice-President of the Graduate Students’ Union
- Sub Librarian, a nominee of IT Services, two administrative officers* nominated by the Dean of Graduate Studies and up to three co-opted individuals**, nominated by the Dean of Graduate Studies are permitted to attend meetings of the Graduate Studies Committee.
- The Chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee shall be the Dean of Graduate Studies.
- The Dean of Graduate Studies shall nominate one of the Administrative Officers referred to in 18(2) to act as Secretary to the Graduate Studies Committee.
*two administrative officers are:
- Administrative Officer: Assistant Academic Secretary, Graduate Education
- Administrative Officer: TTL Academic Affairs - GSC Secretary
**three co-opted individuals are:
- TTL Academic Secretary
- Director of Internationalisation TCD Global
- Director of Student Services
There are also three participants in GSC meetings by Dean’s invitation:
- PG Student Support Officer
- Administrative Officer (minute taking)
- Administrative Officer (Zoom access)
Please note that the member substitution is not allowed.
Dean of Graduate Studies
The Dean of Graduate Studies is the academic officer responsible for the admission, progression and examination of all postgraduate students in College.
As chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, the Dean plays a central role in the approval of new courses of postgraduate study, and in setting regulations governing the award of degrees.
Together with the Graduate Students' Union, the Dean acts as a voice representing the graduate students on various fora in College, including the University Council, Heads' of School Committee, The Deans' Committee, and the Research Committee.
The Dean is appointed by the University Council on the nomination of the Provost. The current Dean is Professor Martine Smith who was appointed in 2020. There have been 18 Deans of Graduate Studies since the post was created in 1965.
To make an appointment with the Dean, please contact dgsappointments@tcd.ie.
Assistant Academic Secretary
The Assistant Academic Secretary, Graduate Education, provides leadership in the development of strategy and drives the development and review of academic policies in respect of Trinity’s graduate education provision. They act as a centre of expertise, advising and contributing to the College’s wider objectives in respect of its graduate education provision and the student experience.
As well as managing the Graduate Studies Office, the Assistant Academic Secretary acts as the central point of contact for escalations from the academic community on complex graduate education matters.
To contact the Assistant Academic Secretary, please email Dr Cormac Doran (AASGE@tcd.ie).
Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate)
Each School has a Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) appointed by the University Council. The Director is nominated by the Head of School for a term of two years, with the possibility of being renewed once for a second term. The Directors sit on the Graduate Studies Committee and have an important role in formulating graduate education policy for the University.
In the Schools, the Directors carry out a wide range of functions, including the formal nomination, to the Dean of Graduate Studies, of supervisors and examiners, and the organisation of transfer interviews for research students.