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Further Study & Funding

Why take further study and where to start your search for funding.

Going on to further study

There are many reasons to continue on to further study. It can be essential for your chosen career, you may be looking to specialise in a specific area or change direction.

Postgraduate programmes generally fit into the following levels: 

Graduate Diploma / Higher Diploma are typically the same level as an honours degree (level 8).  These usually do not require an honours degree for entry (although there are some exceptions).  Often ‘conversion’ courses for those without degrees in the subject. Note: the only ‘HDip’ that qualifies you to teach in second-level schools is the Professional Masters in Education (formerly HDip in Education).

Postgraduate Diploma (level 9). 1 academic year long may require an honours degree. Taught, no thesis involved.

There are two types of Masters degree – Taught and Research (both level 9):
Taught – attend lectures and finish the year by doing a dissertation/thesis, usually take 1 or 2 years.
Research – majority of your time is spent researching your thesis and you are examined on your thesis only. 

Doctorate (PhD) (level 10) - done by research or through a structured programme (where some modules are taken as well) and will usually take at least 3 years.

Study at NUI Galway

You can see the full range of taught postgraduate programmes at www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/  along with entry requirements and applicable deadlines for application.

Applications are online for most courses and you may need a personal statement or other supporting documentation - for links and more information see http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/how-to-apply/ or https://nuigalway.home.blog/2020/03/10/application-tips/   

Research

For research programmes, there is advice at www.nuigalway.ie/courses/research-postgraduate-programmes/ - in particular use the pages here to discover a supervisor who has relevant expertise in your area of interest.  We have a large number of research centres, institutes and units with a wide range of inter-disciplinary research programmes, and collaborations with industry partners. 

Check out nuigalway.ie/choose-postgrad/ for more reasons to study at NUI Galway.

Read more

Already a student at NUI Galway? Click here to read more advice on choosing postgraduate studies.