Postgraduate Research
The Loyola Institute offers taught Masters degree in Christian Theology (called M.Phil. at Trinity) including a postgraduate diploma and certificate, plus a research Masters (M.Litt.) and a doctorate by research (Ph.D.).
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The Loyola Institute at Trinity College Dublin offers research scholars an excellent educational experience. We provide research supervision in the discipline of theology in the Catholic Christian tradition. The research environment at Trinity College provides an ideal setting, rigorous and supportive, for research to flourish. With more than 100 postgraduate students and more than 20 research-active staff across its various disciplines, the School is a leading centre for research in religious studies (in its many forms) and peace studies and warmly welcomes enquires from those interested in studying with us.
Central to the research culture at the Loyola Institute are the Research Seminars, which meet regularly during term time. At these seminars, academics from Trinity College and invited guests, present their work, followed by discussion. Research students also get an opportunity to present at these seminars.
We offer two research degree possibilities, M.Litt. and Ph.D.
The Ph.D. is normally a four year course of full-time study, culminating in a dissertation based on original research on a focused topic. It is also possible to pursue the degree part-time over five years.
First-year Ph.D. students are required to take an oral examination within the first eighteen months of beginning their research. If they successfully pass this then they proceed to registration for the Ph.D. degree.
The Master in Letters (M.Litt.) research degree may be taken full time (1 year) or part-time (3 years). After two years on the M.Litt. register students may apply to transfer to the Ph.D. register should their work be of suitable standard. Regulations for this procedure can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Study for a research degree involves working closely with an individual supervisor. Prior to an application, prospective students are advised to contact a potential supervisor, and work with them in developing a proposal, in advance of a formal application. Students are required to take a minimum of 10 ECTS in taught modules to develop their research skills.
There are two registration periods (September and March) for degrees by research. Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible prior to their chosen registration period as supervisory capacity may be limited.
For further information contact the postgraduate administration at Loyola@tcd.ie.
In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to register retrospectively. Applicants wishing to be considered for retrospective admission should contact the Graduate Studies Office by emailing research.admissions@tcd.ie
For further information contact the postgraduate administration at Loyola@tcd.ie.
Ph.D. Via Distance Learning
More information coming soon.
For queries on postgraduate applications please contact the Loyola Institute Administrator at loyola@tcd.ie.
Prior to submitting a formal application, students are advised to discuss their research proposal with a relevant member of academic staff. The research profiles and contact details of the School’s academic staff can be found on our website.
An M.Litt. or Ph.D. proposal should be approximately 1500 words long incorporating:
- A statement of the research question/hypothesis
- A description of the proposed research and its relationship to existing research in the field
- A note on research methodology
- A preliminary structured bibliography
- A work plan
You should submit your application to the Graduate Admissions Office following the guidance on that admissions page. The link to submit your application is here.
A list of Postgraduate Fees is available on the Academic Registry website. See Religion under the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences listing.
March Entry
- Doctor in Philosophy, Religious Studies (Part-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Religious Studies (Full-Time)
- Master in Letters, Religious Studies (Part-Time)
- Master in Letters, Religious Studies (Full-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Peace Studies (Part-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Peace Studies (Full-Time)
- Master in Letters, Peace Studies (Part-Time)
- Master in Letters, Peace Studies (Full-Time)
September Entry
- Doctor in Philosophy, Religious Studies (Part-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Religious Studies (Full-Time)
- Master in Letters, Religious Studies (Part-Time)
- Master in Letters, Religious Studies (Full-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Peace Studies (Part-Time)
- Doctor in Philosophy, Peace Studies (Full-Time)
- Master in Letters, Peace Studies (Part-Time)
- Master in Letters, Peace Studies (Full-Time)
Loyola Institute Ph.D. Scholarship
A Ph.D. scholarship which will fully cover the university's fees for an EU Student, plus an annual award of €12,000 for maintenance, for a period of four years.
This scholarship is thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Loyola Trust (funded by the Augustinians, Carmelites (O.Carm.), Columbans, Jesuits, Loreto Sisters, Marists, Oblates, Society of African Missions).
Who can apply?
The scholarship is open to new entrants to the full-time Ph.D. register who are resident in Ireland or within the European Union.
This scholarship is available to Ph.D. projects supervised by a full-time permanent member of the academic staff of the Loyola Institute.
Recipients must reside in sufficient proximity to Trinity College Dublin as to be able to share fully and regularly in the life, work, and events of the Loyola Institute.
Application Process
You are required to:
- Submit an application for a full-time Ph.D. at the Loyola Institute at Trinity College using the central Trinity College application system.
And
- Send an email of application to Loyola@tcd.ie.
Your application should include:
- a brief letter of motivation.
- a research proposal of up to 2000 words. This should include the main research question, key objectives, relevance, the proposed methodological approach, a brief description of the relevant literature, and the proposed timetable for the writing of your thesis. Please work with your proposed supervisor at the Loyola Institute in preparing this.
Trinity College Dublin - Ph.D. Scholarship
Trinity College Dublin will make one doctoral research award available to a new full-time entrant to the structured PhD programme / research doctorate at the School of Religion, Theology, and Peace Studies starting in 2025-26 (September or March). The award attracts an associated stipend of €25,000 p.a. and covers tuition fees for the four years (full-time).
The following criteria apply:
- Open only to new entrants to the full-time research doctorate register (EU and nonEU).
- The holders must engage in full-time research and must register for a research doctorate degree at Trinity College, the University of Dublin.
- Continuation on the research register is dependent on evidence of satisfactory annual progress and successful completion of the confirmation process at 18 months after first registration.
- Both the doctorate researcher and supervisor will agree to participate in the pilot rollout of Trinity’s Supervisor: Research Student Agreement in 2025-26.
- Postgraduate Research Doctorate Awards cannot continue beyond a fourth year on the full-time research doctorate register and cannot be split across doctorate researchers.
All new PhD students who have submitted an application for 2025-26 will be automatically considered to be in competition for the award and will receive a scholarship application form to be submitted by May 2025. (Please note, to be considered, March applicants will need to have submitted their application by the previous May). Contact the Postgraduate Officer at srpostgrad@tcd.ie for further information.
Find out more about Postgraduate Scholarships.