Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 48 months
- Part-time: 72 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting September 2027
- Application deadline not specified.
Students should contact the advisors first, explaining their motivation for pursuing the degree and their intended area of research.
Language
English
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- OTE (Oxford Test of English): 140
Credits
30 ECTS
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Dublin, Ireland
Disciplines
Education
Overview
It has an international reputation, and graduates are currently employed as academics in leading universities, as teachers, as school principals, and as education policy makers and innovators in the public and private sector.
Features
- On the Education and Lifelong Learning programme at University College Dublin, students must complete a substantial thesis of typically around 80,000 words, detailing an original research study that has made a significant contribution to knowledge.
- The structured component is thirty credits of taught modules including at least one research methods module. The other two modules may be any graduate level modules of choice offered at the School of Education or more broadly within the College of Social Sciences and Law.
Programme Structure
Curriculum:
- A large range of supports are also available within UCD, for all graduate researchers.
- These include library study pods, training in many aspects of research and research management, and superb library facilities.
- UCD also has a state-of-the-art leisure centre with an Olympic swimming pool, a cinema, theatre, and a medical centre.
- In addition, our students are supported in writing applications for grants and scholarships, and we have a very high level of success in attracting student awards from the Irish Research Council, and the National University of Ireland.
- Our students present their research at the All-Ireland doctoral conference, hosted annually by UCD and QUB, and they also present at international conferences.
- Many of our research students have won places on prestigious graduate summer schools.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
- GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- TOEFL iBT: 100
- OTE (Oxford Test of English): 140
Other requirements
General requirements
- High honours in an appropriate master’s degree (or equivalent) and/or evidence of other academic standing and/or relevant professional experience that demonstrates suitability for PhD study.
- Evidence of meeting the School’s English language requirements for PhD study. These are: IELTS of 7 total score, with no band below 6.5, or alternatively a masters’ degree graded at 2:1 or above, written in English and obtained from an English speaking institution in an English speaking country, within the past 3-years from date of application.
Tuition Fees
- International: 22,217 AUD / year (≈ 13,730 EUR / year)
- EU/EEA: 11,537 AUD / year (≈ 7,130 EUR / year)
Living costs
Dublin, Ireland: 1,780-2,913 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Education and Lifelong Learning.
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships — Grant: 10000 EUR, Deadline: Not specified, Merit-based, Provided by University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Grant: Various benefits, Deadline: 07 Oct 2026, U.S. government
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD, Deadline: 30 Nov 2026, ServiceScape
- Ukrainian Researchers Scheme — Grant: Various benefits, Deadline: Not specified, Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
- ACES Scholarships — Grant: 3500 USD, Deadline: 15 Nov 2026, ACES Education Fund
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Grant: Various benefits, Deadline: Not specified, Merit-based, OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
- Amberscholar Scholarship — Grant: 6000 USD, Deadline: 31 Jan 2027, Merit-based, Amber Scholar
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD, Deadline: 31 Oct 2026, Merit-based, IvyPanda
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD, Deadline: 01 Mar 2027, Voice Talent Online
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Grant: 1000 USD, Deadline: 13 Jan 2027, Merit-based, Salvado Law
- Government Of Ireland Scholarships — Grant: 10000 EUR, Deadline: 12 Mar 2027, Government Of Ireland
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Grant: 3000 USD, Deadline: 31 Dec 2026, Need-based, Anonymous Hope Fund
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Grant: 1500 USD, Deadline: Not specified, IELTS from 6 to 9
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant: 12000 USD, Deadline: 11 Jan 2027, The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
