Structured PhD in Contemporary Irish Studies

Full-time/Part-time: Both available

Level: 10

Duration: 3 yrs FT/4-5 yrs PT

Location: MIC Limerick/online

Delivery Mode:

Fully online

Assessment:

Online exercises, presentations, a 5,000 word essay in each module and a 15,000–20,000 word thesis.

Programme Overview
Programme Content
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Ask a Question

Programme Overview

The Structured PhD in Contemporary Irish Studies at Mary Immaculate College aims to provide a suite of modules that are focused on contemporary issues in Irish society, politics and culture. The focus will be on contemporary Irish studies, and how, specifically, the study of a series of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary areas of the Irish experience can lead to a clearer understanding of the Ireland of today, which will be a baseline for the study of the Ireland of the future. The modules will be delivered by experts, all of whom have a track record in publishing in their respective fields.

Key Features

Assessments are by research essay and thesis. The essay ranges from 4,500 to 5,000 words and each module is assessed by a single essay. The titles and topics of these essays are negotiated between the student and the course lecturer, with the parameters of choice being set by the lecturer.

A number of generic research and methodology modules are also undertaken, which provide preparation for the work of the thesis. The other element of assessment is an 85,000 to 100,000-word research thesis.

There are two pathways to the degree:

Students spend Year 1 in MIC, where they study three modules of their choice per semester. The students will then progress to the thesis. There is no residential requirement beyond the initial year so students will be able to work from home on their thesis, with supervision being undertaken by Skype, Moodle and email.

Or
Students attend a two-week winter school in January and a three-week summer school in June, where the six academic modules, and research and referencing modules are taught through a mixture of intensive lectures and masterclasses. Essays can be completed in the months following the summer and winter schools. The students will then progress to the thesis.

The Structured PhD in Contemporary Irish Studies at MIC aims to:

Enhance the students’ knowledge of Irish history, literature, culture, society and languages through a theoretically-aware matrix of teaching methodologies and seminars;
Develop students’ ability to understand and use a variety of theoretical approaches to different areas of Contemporary Irish Studies and to encourage an anamorphic perspective on issues which have hitherto been seen as normative and given;
Stimulate interest and research expertise in core areas of contemporary Irish society and culture through a variety of methods and approaches;
Cultivate research skills across a number of subject areas and disciplines in order to achieve a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective on areas of Irish culture, politics, society and ideology.

Career opportunities include: Irish cultural sector; areas involving aspects of Irish culture, literature and society; advocacy; lobbying; teaching; entry to PhD programmes; technical writing; media work; civil service; web editing; academic administration, magazine publishing (hard copies and online editions), advertising and marketing, arts administration, library administration, teaching English language and literature in other countries, Human Resources, digital copywriter, lexicographer, online editor and webmaster.

Dr Eugene O’Brien, Programme Coordinator & Director of the MIC Institute of Irish Studies

T: + 353 61 204989

E: Irishstudiesphd@mic.ul.ie / Eugene.OBrien@mic.ul.ie

Programme Content

The people engaged in the delivery of this programme will all be experts in the field with significant academic publications.

Programme Modules available*

Irish Communities in Early Modern Europe

Image-Based Research in history

Oral History: Theory and Practice

Poetics and Politics of Irish Identity

Researching Irish Media Audiences

The Development of the Media in Ireland: an Historical and Conceptual Overview

Radio: The Invisible Medium

Families and Communities in Ireland and Britain, 1500-1750

The Irish Revolution 1912-1927

The Literary Tradition in Irish

An Introduction to the Irish Language

Process of Change: The Transmission of Irish Traditional Music

Irish Women’s Writing in the Long Nineteenth Century

Yeats, Joyce and the Language of Irish Identity

Contemporary Irish Poetry

Irish Culture and Ecocriticism

Contemporary Irish Theatre

Europe as a Transnational Space - Theory and Textual Practice

Irish Politics and Society

Musical Life in Nineteenth Century Ireland

Irish Clans, Surnames and Genetic DNA

* A selection of these modules will be offered each year.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for this programme are:

1. Qualifications and Experience

An appropriate Master's or equivalent qualification, a 2.2 honours level bachelor’s degree, or higher, that has been obtained from a university or other institution recognised by the University of Limerick following a period of study similar to that required in the University of Limerick.

Applicants who do not hold a relevant Master’s degree may be considered if they have a 2.1 bachelor’s degree, or higher, in a relevant area and extensive relevant experience.

2. English Language Requirements

Click here for English language requirements.

3. Performance at Interview

An interview may form part of the selection process for all applicants. This will be done in person if possible or alternatively via video conferencing where the applicant is unavailable to attend in person.

And

4. Research Proposal and Application Form

Submission of a PhD research proposal and application form by all applicants in line with the requirements set out by the Research and Graduate School, MIC.

Places on the programme will be offered based on all the above, viz. qualifications, performance at interview, language proficiency level (if applicable), PhD proposal, as well as applicants’ references given in the application form.

How to Apply

Closing date for applications variable.

EU Applicants

After you have read How to Apply for a Research Postgraduate programme at MIC, download and complete the application form here. For applications in Irish, download and complete the application form here.
The application form must also include any supporting documentation requested.
In the case of non-native English speakers, a copy of IELTS (or equivalent) is required.
Please pay the non-refundable €50 application fee using Stripe here , and return the application form by email to: RGSO@mic.ul.ie.

Non-EU Applicants

For advice on visas and the practicalities of living in Ireland, please contact the International office at international@mic.ul.ie.

Entry requirements and the application process may vary according to country of origin. For information that is specific to your home country, click here.

After you have read How to Apply for a Research Postgraduate programme at MIC, download and complete the application form here. For applications in Irish, download and complete the application form here.
The application form must also include your university transcripts.
In the case of non-native English speakers, a copy of IELTS (or equivalent) is required.
Please pay the non-refundable €50 application fee using TransferMate here and email the completed application form to rgso@mic.ul.ie.

EU/Non-EU Status Assessments

The designation of a student as being from the EU or a Non-EU country determines the fees they will pay at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) i.e. there may be cases where a non-EU national acquires EEA citizenship during the course of their third level studies and would qualify for EU fees, for example.

Click here for more information on EU/Non-EU assessments which will be conducted by MIC International office to determine status.