Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a postgraduate prospectus?

The Postgraduate Prospectus can be viewed online or downloaded from our website at www.tcd.ie/study/prospectus.

How can I apply for a postgraduate course?

Details and application instructions on all of our postgraduate programmes can be found Academic Registry website.

What are the entry requirements for a postgraduate course at Trinity College Dublin?

Applicants are required to hold:

• at least a 2.1 honors degree from an Irish university or equivalent result from a university in another country
• a fluent command of the English language

Some courses may require higher standards or ask applicants to take further tests or attend an interview. Find out more.

What are the requirements in relation to the English language qualifications for international students?

All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must present a recognised qualification in the English language. More details here.

What are the visa requirements for International students?

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs issues visas to citizens of certain countries who wish to travel to Ireland. Further information on student visas and requirements can be found on the visa section of the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

I am an incoming international graduate student. Where can I find information relevant to me?

Please visit the Trinity Study website for information and guidance relevant to international students.

How can I find out what my fees are?

Fees for postgraduate taught and research programmes are listed on the Student Finance page.

Are application fees refundable?

All applicants who apply for direct entry to the College (i.e. not through the Central Applications Office) must pay a non-returnable application fee of €55 per course application. Application fees are non-refundable in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Chapter on College Charges of Part II of the Calendar of Trinity College Dublin.

Are deposit fees refundable?

Normally, any deposit paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you decide to defer, your deposit will be retained to reserve your place for the following year.

What is a EU/Non-EU fee status?

Fees differ for applicants based on their "EU or Non-EU status" as assessed by Trinity's Academic Registry. This status is based on agreed rules and regulations and is not based simply on your nationality, your passport or your country of birth. Please visit the Postgraduate Fees & Finances webpage for more information.

I am a UK based applicant. What is my fee status now that the UK has left the European Union?

The Department of Education and Skills announced that current fee regimes and grant supports are being maintained for students from Britain and Northern Ireland who are applying to attend colleges in Ireland. The decision ensures that:

1. Eligible students from the UK/NI, who enrol for courses for the 2022/23 academic year in a third level college in Ireland, will be treated under the same terms as Irish students.
2. The arrangements for students beginning courses in September 2022 will be maintained for the duration of their studies.

Please visit the Student Finance FAQs page for more information.

How do I complete registration?

Students will receive an in-tray message to their my.tcd.ie portal, advising them that registration is open. The student should then click on the “Register” tab in the left hand corner of their portal and complete all of the tasks shown.

As each task is completed the red X beside the task will turn to a green tick. When all tasks have been completed the student will then be fully registered and will be prompted to print a “Confirmation of Registration” document. This document should be presented at the dedicated ID Card Issue Desk (to be advised) (in the case of September new entrants) or the Academic Registry Service Desk (in the case of March new entrants) to obtain a new student ID card.

I am having difficulties registering. Who can I contact for help?

Students who have any difficulty in completing the online registration process should call to the Academic Registry for assistance or may submit an enquiry with the subject title ‘Registration Query’ via email to academic.registry@tcd.ie or by clicking the ASK AR button on the registration screens.

What are the term dates?

Please visit the Academic Year Structure webpage for the list of important dates.

What are opening hours for the Library?

Please visit the Library website for guidance on the opening hours.

I am unwell and need to take some time out. Who should I contact?

You should discuss your situation with your Supervisor, Course Co-ordinator/Director or, the Director of Teaching & Learning in your School who may apply to the Dean of Graduate Studies to go off-books on your behalf. Students are not allowed to apply for time off-books directly to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Off-books permission is given for a definite period (a minimum 6 month period for research students and 12 months for students on postgraduate taught programmes) and during time off-books students do not pay fees. Please note, however, students who are off-books do not have access rights to college facilities, including the library.

Students who are off-books on medical grounds, must submit a completed Letter of Certification to PG Cases Pgcases@tcd.ie one month prior to their return date.

I am about to go on maternity leave. Who should I contact to arrange for a time off?

You should discuss your situation with your Supervisor or Course Co-ordinator/Director or the Director of Teaching & Learning in your School.

Where can I find out about the graduation?

Please visit the Academic Registry's FAQ page or email Graduation@tcd.ie.

Where can I find out more about the examinations and assessment?

Please visit the Academic Registry's FAQ page or email academic.registry@tcd.ie.

How can I find a supervisor?

You will have to make contact with academic staff in a relevant research field and identify a potential supervisor. To assist you with this, the Trinity website is comprehensive and features all relevant information about our research activities, as well as full research profiles of our staff. Find out more at: www.tcd.ie/research/people.

What funding opportunities are available for research students?

Your supervisor should be able to advise you of relevant funding opportunities through Irish and European funding agencies. Additionally, you may also:

1. Contact scholarship awarding bodies in your home country for possible Ph.D. funding options. Trinity offers postgraduate awards which are available only to students intending to register for full-time higher research degrees (i.e. Ph.D.).
2. More information on postgraduate funding and scholarships can be found on our website: www.tcd.ie/study/postgraduate/scholarships-funding.
3. Contact the Regional Manager for your country for information on other opportunities. Details of these staff can be found at: https://www.tcd.ie/globalrelations/people/#Recruitment

How can I apply for a research Studentship Award?

New entrants to the Research Register wishing to apply for Postgraduate Research Studentships or Ussher Awards must apply for these Awards during the online application process.

What are the closing dates for applying for research degrees?

There are no closing dates for application for higher degrees by research but there are only two registration periods (September and March). Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible prior to their chosen registration period as supervisory capacity may be limited.

How many ECTS credits do I need to take on the structured PhD?

Students are required to participate in taught modules and obtain between 10 and 30 ECTS during the lifespan of their PhD research. Your School may have specific and bespoke requirements as to how these credits are obtained or which modules must be undertaken. You should discuss these requirements with your School and/or Supervisor.

What is a progress report?

Annual progress reporting is an essential requirement for all postgraduate students on the research register (full and part-time) in Trinity College Dublin. Progress reports should be completed with the supervisor / supervisory team and are submitted locally to a designated administrator within the School. Contact your supervisor or the Director of Teaching and Learning (PG) in the school in which you are registered for any queries.

I need more time to submit my thesis. Can I be granted an extension to submit my thesis?

You can apply for an extension to your thesis submission deadline by emailing PGcases@tcd.ie in Academic Registry. Please ensure you have written confirmation of support from your Supervisor or Director of Teaching and Learning (PG) as it must be submitted with the request. The request are reviewed on a case by case basis. The Graduate Studies Office will revert with a decision from the Dean of Graduate Studies.

If you wish to request a further extension on the grounds related to Covid-19, please fill in the webform available at this link: Extension Request Form.

What is a process of Confirmation/Transfer on the PhD Register?

A process of academic assessment for all Ph.D. students to confirm their continuation on the Ph.D. register is normally arranged approximately eighteen months from the start date of your registration. This timeline is extended by a further year for Ph.D. students on the part-time register from year 1. The process is an essential part in the student's learning experience.

As part of the process each Ph.D. student must prepare a Ph.D. Confirmation Report.  Guidelines to help you complete the report are issued by the appropriate Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate). You must ensure that a draft of the confirmation report is given to your Supervisor in time for them to read it and provide feedback before submission.

Ph.D. students then attend a Ph.D. confirmation interview. The Ph.D. confirmation panel for each student is appointed by the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) and consists of the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) or his or her nominee, and a second member who should have acknowledged expertise in the subject area of the student’s research (or in a cognate field). Members of the Ph.D. confirmation panel may be drawn only from academic staff eligible to supervise. Although the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) makes the final decision about membership of the Ph.D. confirmation panel, he or she will consult with the Supervisor before deciding, taking the student’s opinion into consideration. The Supervisor cannot be a member of the Ph.D. confirmation panel, but the Supervisor (and Co-Supervisors) are present at the interview. When necessary, an external discipline expert may be appointed. The Supervisor’s attendance at the interview ensures that he or she is aware of the panel’s critique of the student’s work.

Written feedback is given to the student as soon as possible after the Ph.D. confirmation interview. The recommendations of the panel are:

1. continuation on the Ph.D. register,
2. continuation on the Ph.D. register after some minor changes have been made to the Ph.D. confirmation report,
3. continuation on the Ph.D. not recommended at this time: a new report to be written and confirmation interview to be held again as soon as possible thereafter,
4. a recommendation to change to the general Masters register to submit a Masters thesis, or
5. not to continue as a postgraduate research student.

What taught modules are available to me as a PhD student?

PhD students must study a minimum of taught components equating to 10-ECTS credits. You should check with your supervisor if your School has any specific requirements that ask you to obtain more than 10-ECTS of credit or requires you to take specific modules to fulfil their requirements. For students who are not constrained by the approach in their School, there is a vast array of options available to them to fulfil the taught components of the structured PhD, which are listed on the Structured PhD Modules page.

Are there any mandatory taught modules I must take?

Yes, the Research Integrity and Impact in an Open Scholarship Era (CA7000) coordinated by the Library is a mandatory module which is delivered online and must be taken at any stage prior to the student undertaking his or her confirmation/transfer process.

I am having difficulties enrolling in the mandatory module Research Integrity and Impact in an Open Scholarship Era (CA7000). Who should I contact to get help?

Please get in touch by emailing ResearchIntegrity_CA7000@tcd.ie a brief description of the issue and the module coordinator will be in touch to offer their assistance.

How can I prepare for my Viva Voce examination?

Please read our Trinity PhD Viva Guide.

Where can I find out about the required format of my Ph.D. thesis?

From your Supervisor and Calendar Part III. Please contact gsothese@tcd.ie with any queries relating to Thesis Submissions.

What is the word limit on a Ph.D. thesis?

Yes, the word limit for a Ph.D. thesis is 100,000 words of text (exclusive of footnotes and bibliography).

How can I submit my thesis?

Guidelines for the submission of theses and dissertations provide the information on the official requirements. Please visit the Submitting Your Thesis page on the Library's website for detailed instructions on how to submit your thesis.

What is an Intention to Submit form and who do I submit it to?

The Intention to Submit form must be completed and returned at least one month prior to submission date by every postgraduate research student to the Director of Teaching and Learning Postgraduate in their School and the Academic Registry at gsothese@tcd. Submitting this form initiates the formal nomination of examiners for the thesis.

When is the deadline for my thesis submission?

The normal deadline for thesis submission is the last day of August for September registrants (30th September including Dean's Grace), and the last day of February for March registrants (31st March including Dean's Grace).

How do I apply for Dean's Grace?

You do not need to apply for Dean's Grace as it is automatically added to your record.

Can I request an embargo to be applied to my thesis?

Yes, you can apply for a stay of deposition to your thesis to the Dean of Graduate Studies by using the online Stay of Deposition Form.

I am not happy with the outcome of my examination. Can I make an appeal?

The Academic Appeals Committee for Graduate Students will consider appeals arising out of examinations, and other academic circumstances, from registered graduate students where the graduate student's case (i) is not adequately covered by the ordinary regulations of the College, or (ii) is based on a claim that the regulations of the College were not properly applied in the applicant's case, or (iii) represents an ad misericordiam appeal.

An appeal other than an ad misericordiam cannot be made against the normal application of College academic regulations approved by the University Council. Appellants should first have pursued the course of action most appropriate to their case. The Academic Appeals Committee will consider appeals concerning events occurring more than 4 months previously only in the most exceptional circumstances.More info on the Appeals Process for Graduate Students can be found in the College Calendar Part III.

Students are strongly advised to contact Postgraduate Student Support Officer in Postgraduate Advisory Service to discuss their concerns and avail of impartial advise to guide them through the appeals process.

I have decided to withdraw from my course. Will my deposit be refunded?

If you have paid full fees and withdraw prior to 31 January, you would be liable for first term but entitled to the refund of tuition fees for Semester 2. If you only paid the tuition fees for Semester 1, you will not be eligible for a refund.

What is a Non-Resident PhD Programme?

Trinity College Dublin has launched a pilot programme available to students interested in undertaking a structured Ph.D. programme who will be able to access our world-class research talent from the comfort of their homes – be that at home in Ireland or even further away. The Schools participating in the pilot include:

• School of Education,
• School of English,
• School of Languages,
• School of Literatures and Cultural Studies,
• School of Linguistic, Speech & Communication Sciences,
• School of Psychology,
• School of Religion and
• School of Nursing & Midwifery

As part of this programme a candidate is expected to be a fully registered student of Trinity College Dublin with access to our libraries and services whether based on or off-campus. A programme of online seminars and discussion groups will be made available to enable connection with fellow Trinity researchers within and across disciplines.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the Non-Resident Ph.D.?

As this is a pilot scheme, the supervision and progress of all Non-Resident Ph.D. students will be closely monitored by the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. For further information on the general requirements of the scheme itself, please contact the Graduate Studies Office directly via genadgso@tcd.ie. Further information is available in the Non-Resident Ph.D. Programme fact sheet. If you wish to discuss applying for a Non-Resident Ph.D. Programme, please contact Research Admissions at research.admissions@tcd.ie.

I am a PhD. student on th Non-Resident register. Am I eligible for any university funding schemes?

Students on the Non-Resident register are not eligible for any university funding models including the Ussher, 1252 awards and Provost’s Project awards.

I am as a Non-Resident Ph.D. student and would like to transfer to the ordinary Ph.D.. Is it possible to trnasfer?

No - the status of the student remains the same in line with other 'categorisation' - unless there are rare, exceptional circumstances.

I've been offer a place on a postgraduate taught programme. Can I defer my place to the next academic year?

You can defer an unconditional offer if you have support from your Course Director/Coordinator, you paid your deposit and you have not already registered. If you already registered, you must apply to go off-books and there may be fees implications. Please not that offers cannot be deferred indefinitely.

How can I apply to go off-books?

You should discuss your situation with your Course Co-ordinator/Director or, the Director of Teaching & Learning in your School who may apply to the Dean of Graduate Studies to go off-books on your behalf. If applying for medical reasons, supporting medical documentation may be required. Students are not allowed to apply for time off-books directly to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Off-books permission is given for a definite period (a minimum of 12 months for students on postgraduate taught programmes) and during time off-books students do not pay fees. Please note, however, students who are off-books do not have access rights to college facilities, including the library.

Students who are off-books on medical grounds, must submit a completed Letter of Certification to PG Cases Pgcases@tcd.ie one month prior to their return date.

Who can I contact in relation to my bill and financial statement?

Please email Student Finance at academic.registry@tcd.ie or visit the Student Finance FAQ online.

I am a current Trinity student. Where can I get support?

You can find support from Postgraduate Advisory Service at Postgrad.Support@tcd.ie.

Student Counselling is available at student-counselling@tcd.ie.

Find information regarding student supports and services.

The Library’s Teaching and Research Support team is available online. They’ve listed a number of supports.

How can I get in touch with the Disability Service?

The Disability Service Team are available to meet with students in person, via MS Teams, phone or email. Please visit our contact page to get in touch or book an appointment with a member of the Disability Service Team. The DS Solutions Drop-in online appointments can be booked at 15-minute intervals between 11am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, through our Drop-in booking link. For general queries please email askds@tcd.ie, phone 01 896 3111, 087 113 3185, or visit our FAQ webpage.

What kind of accommodation is available for Postgraduate students?

Please contact Accommodation Office to discuss your needs.

I have an immigration-related query, where do I find out more information?

If you are a current student, please click here.

Is it possible for a PhD student to submit their Thesis as a series of published papers?

Trinity does not offer the option of a PhD by publication, except for those seeking the award of a Higher Doctorate. However, students can pursue a PhD that includes publications, as long as these publications report on research carried out while the candidate is on the research register. There is no set format or requirements, as practices vary across Schools, but there is a core requirement that a coherent thesis be submitted for examination. Further information is available in the Calendar:
83 A thesis submitted for a higher degree may be based on, or include single authored or multi-authored/collaborative papers and writings already published by the candidate, if the studies from which they derive have been carried out during the period of registration on the higher degree register. Such writings must be fully integrated into the body of the thesis. Where chapter(s) are jointly authored, the student must outline at the beginning of the chapter the exact nature of his or her contribution to the chapter. For avoidance of doubt, a thesis containing a published work is examined according to the standard rules for examination of any thesis submitted for a higher degree. In particular, the criteria in Paragraphs 46 and 47 of Section II, Part III of the University Calendar apply irrespective of whether the thesis contains single authored or multi-authored/collaborative papers.

Are there any training opportunities for new supervisors?

Yes, there are. The Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Trinity Teaching & Learning co-host a series of workshops on best practises for effective supervision of research students. The workshops are targeted at research supervisors new to their role as well as more experienced supervisors who wish to share and expand their knowledge and experience. The goal of the programme is to prepare and support research staff in their roles as supervisors.

Our Best Practice Guide on Supervision of Research Students outlines the key principles of best practice for supervising research students and some practical advice to enable academic staff to best meet the training and support needs of their students. Please visit the Supervisor Development page to find out more.

Is joint supervision permitted?

Joint supervision is permitted, if prior approval has been sought and obtained from the Dean of Graduate Studies. In all cases of joint supervision one individual shall be the Principal Supervisor and that person should be in the School in which the student is registered. The Co-Supervisor, if appointed, must be willing and qualified to assume the role of the Principal Supervisor if the latter becomes indisposed. If no Co-Supervisor has been appointed and a Principal Supervisor takes a temporary leave of absence or sabbatical of longer than 3 months’ duration, a temporary Acting Supervisor must be appointed by the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate). Adjunct and Assistant Supervisors may also be appointed to contribute additional advice and guidance of a purely academic nature, the extent and parameters of which may vary and should be negotiated with the student, the supervisor and the Thesis Committee.

What are the joint supervision models in Trinity?

There are two main models: the co-supervision model where supervisors contribute equally, even where one signs off as the principal supervisor; and the primary/secondary supervision model where a principal supervisor has responsibility for the student and oversees the research, and the co-supervisor contributes in the specific area of their expertise.

Who can be nominated as a Co-Supervisor?

Under Calendar regulations, a co-supervisor must be on an academic contract with Trinity: (ii) The Co-Supervisor must be a Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer or Lecturer, including those with Research and Clinical titles. Members of the academic staff on contract may be a Co-Supervisor, but only if they are on a contract of indefinite duration or a contract which extends beyond the maximum period of the student’s registration (i.e., 2 years for a Masters, 4 for a PhD).

Who can be nominated as an Adjunct Supervisor?

A visiting academic, a part-time non-permanent member of the academic staff, or an emeritus staff member listed in the University Calendar may be nominated as an Adjunct Supervisor. A case may be made to the Dean of Graduate Studies for the appointment of an adjunct supervisor external to College on an honorary basis. The adjunct supervisor may not necessarily be from a university background; e.g., they could be from a company (perhaps in a research role) or cultural agency. However, in this case a CV must be submitted along with a description of their proposed contribution to the supervision of the student.

Terms of Reference for Thesis Committee

See link here for Terms of Reference

What are Thesis Committees?

In May 2019 University Council approved the proposal from the Graduate Studies Committee that a thesis committee would be appointed for all PhD entrants from September 2019. The proposal stipulates that Schools should have appointed a thesis committee within two months of a student’s initial registration. A Thesis Committee comprises at least two members independent of the supervisor and co-supervisors. One member must be an independent academic member of Trinity staff from within the School familiar with the student's research area. The second may be an additional academic member of staff from within the university or a recognized external expert in the student's field of study. The thesis committee have been assigned the task to evaluate, monitor and advise on academic progress. The committee acts as an expanded version of the confirmation panel previously in place, reviewing all the progression aspects of the student’s structured PhD journey. The Committee monitors and advises in relation to the progress of the PhD student throughout the lifespan of their structured PhD. The benefits from the introduction of thesis committees are threefold:

1. First, thesis committees provide a broader base of support for the academic progress of the student.

2. Second, they can act as a critical resource in supporting a student/supervisor relationship.

3. Third, a thesis committee can also be of great value to the supervisor, particularly where challenges arise.

What are the requirements from Schools in relation to appointing a Thesis Committee?

1. Within two months of a student’s initial registration, Schools should have appointed a thesis committee, comprising the supervisor(s) and at least two other persons. The normal rules on eligibility to supervise do not apply to the other members of the committee – so at least one member could be someone on a part-time contract, a senior post-doc or someone outside the university (as well as a member of staff). Before appointing someone as a member of a thesis committee, the School should be satisfied that, barring unforeseen circumstances, they will be available to act in this role for the four years in which the student will be a student in Trinity. Beyond this, it is very much up to the School as to whom it appoints in the best interests of the student. Finally, the relevant students may but do not have to be involved in this selection and appointment process.
2. Students must be notified as to the membership of their thesis committee. In addition, for central records, please contact Ciaran O’Brien in academic.registry@tcd.ie letting him know.

What are the functions of the Director of Teaching and Learning (PG) in appointing Thesis Committees?

1. If there is a disagreement between members of the committee as to whether progression should be recommended then this may fall to be mediated by the DTLP (and it might be suggested that, in such circumstances, it would be very unusual for a supervisor to have to continue to supervise a student whom they have deemed to be unsuitable for continuation on the register).
2. If the student expresses serious concerns about supervision to the non-supervisory members of the committee, these should be relayed to the DTLP who may need to act on them.
3. In addition, some Schools may choose to operate a model whereby the DTLP is an ex officio member of each thesis committee. In such instances, processes should be in place to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are identified and addressed appropriately, to ensure that the integrity of any subsequent appeal process is not undermined.

Annual Report Form

See link here for Annual Review Form

Confirmation Report

See link here for Confirmation Report Template

Is the Non-Resident PhD being discouraged for non-EU students due to visa eligibility reasons?

The visa problems for non-EU students may preclude them from attending as required for the Transfer/Confirmation process and the examination - the minimum requirements associated with the programme. These are outside our control and may affect non-EU students differently depending on their country of origin.

Are Non-Resident PhD applicants still possibly going to be ineligible for College/National research funding schemes due to non-residency?

Yes, a valid PPS number is required for these schemes and only residents can acquire a PPS.

Can a student begin as a Non-Resident PhD student and then transfer to the ordinary PhD register if their circumstances change?

No - the status of the student remains the same in line with other 'categorisation' - unless there are rare, exceptional circumstances.

Will College be reducing the number of structured PhD credits which were required from the initial figure of 20 ECTS?

No reduction is planned: 20 ECTS is already lower than most other programmes require and was the minimum threshold recommended by the working group and proposed to Council.

Are fees going to be the same as for our usual PhD programme?

Yes, the tuition fees remain the same.

Will College be providing more online ECTS content for this cohort of student so they can fulfil ECTS requirements without adding extra admin and teaching responsibilities to the Schools?

A number of new modules are coming on stream, including through the Careers Office and CAPSL. In addition, students may take any modules available within the Home School that are relevant to their area of study and so we would hope that it would not be necessary to create new modules or modify existing offerings.

Who submits the post viva report?

The internal examiner submits the joint post viva report within 24 hours of the viva voce.

Does the external examiner have to physically sign the post viva report?

Where possible, please ensure an electronic signature is included. If not possible, please include the email trail confirming the joint report.

Where can I find information about a course development process?

Please visit the Trinity Teaching and Learning website for more information and useful resources.

What resources are available to support staff developing pg course proposals?

For essential detailed guidance and comprehensive resources on pg course development (and revision of existing courses) staff should go directly to Academic Affairs Course Development site. Staff should also contact the Academic Affairs directly.

Where can I find information about a course suspension process?

Please visit the Course Development page for more information and useful resources.