Further Study & 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 (level 8). Often ‘conversion’ courses. 

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 3+ years.

You can see the full range of taught postgraduate programmes here 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 - links and more information. 

For research programmes, there is advice here   

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Choose Postgrad

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