Structured PhDs

Structured PhD Programmes at University of Galway

The core component of the structured PhD programme is the advancement of knowledge through original research. It is recognised that doctoral education is an individual journey.  The purpose of structuring doctoral education is to create a supportive environment, which is achieved by:

Formal accredited structured training to support the student’s research.

Every PhD student must complete 30 ECTS of such training during their PhD programme. Students select modules in consultation with their supervisor.

The two main types of modules are:

• advanced discipline-specific modules and
• generic/transferrable/professional skills modules, further information on such modules are available at Modules - University of Galway

Online resources (Epigeum Research Skills) are available via the Researcher Development Centre Portal here to support these modules.

Flexible delivery and assessment are key features of Structured PhD modules.

Every PhD student, in addition to a supervisor, has their own Graduate Research Committee (GRC) of three academic staff members. The formal role of the GRC is to review the student’s progress annually and to make a recommendation to the College on progression into the next year of the programme. The GRC also provides informal support to the student during the PhD programme.

Some structured PhD programmes may involve inter-institutional collaboration.

University of Galway endorses the National Framework for Doctoral Education

In addition to research skills, PhD graduates will have opportunities to develop additional skills as outlined in the Irish Universities’ PhD Graduate Skills Statement IUA PhD Graduate Skills Statement 2021

The University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes are available at University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes (universityofgalway.ie)