A candidate shall be eligible to obtain any of the Degrees of Doctor hereinafter in this Section mentioned after the expiration of the respective periods hereinafter specified from the time of his/her obtaining the Degree in each case hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, the degree of:

• Doctor of Literature, 5 years after obtaining the Degree of Bachelor of Arts
• Doctor of Celtic Studies, 5 years after obtaining the Degree of Bachelor of Arts
• Doctor of Science, 5 years after obtaining the Degree of Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Arts
• Doctor of Music, 5 years after obtaining the Degree of Bachelor of Music

A candidate shall not be eligible to obtain the Degree of Doctor in the Faculty of Arts, in the Faculty of Celtic Studies, in the Faculty of Philosophy or in the Faculty of Science, unless he shall present an original work by himself, and in addition, pass such Examination as may satisfy the Senate that he is worthy to have the Degree of Doctor conferred upon him.

Provided that the Senate, acting upon the advice of Examiners appointed by the Senate, who may or may not be members of the Faculty in the subjects in which the Degree of Doctor is sought, may in view of the excellence of the original work presented by the Candidate dispense, wholly or in part, with any further Examination.

The work to be presented by a Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Literature, of Celtic Studies, or of Science, must be a published work which either shows original thought or embodies results of personal research so as to be, in the judgement of the Examiners worthy of recognition by the University as adding to the sum of existing knowledge of the subject treated.

A Candidate shall not be eligible to obtain the degree of Doctor of Music unless he shall present an original work and pass the Examinations hereinafter mentioned.

The work to be presented by a Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Music must be an original composition, of a form and structure to be prescribed. If the work presented by the Candidate is approved by the Examiners, he will be admitted to an Examination in which he must answer in prescribed subjects.

There shall be, in addition, a Practical Examination at which the Candidate will be required to play prescribed pieces, and also to perform at sight on prescribed instruments.

No degree shall be granted to any Candidate under the provisions of any of the foregoing Sections of the Chapter unless such Candidate shall have obtained his Primary Degree in the University after pursuing an Approved Course of Study, and passing the Examinations prescribed for such Primary Degree:

Provided that the foregoing requirements shall not apply to a Candidate for a Higher Degree of the University who is not a Graduate or Undergraduate of the University and whose application of an ad eundem Primary Degree to permit of his proceeding to such Higher Degree has been granted by the Senate.

The University may grant the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor to Graduates of the University or to Graduates of any University, or to Students of advanced standing, either within or without Ireland, who have:

1. carried on in the University, research during a period of six semesters and attended such a Course of Study as may be prescribed by Regulations, provided that the Senate may accept a period of four semesters instead of a period of six semesters in the case of any such Graduate whose attainments in their opinion justify such shorter course; and
2. complied with such Regulations and passed such Examinations, if any, as shall be prescribed.

Entry Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to enter on a course of study and research for the Degree of Ph.D. in the University, a candidate must have reached a high Honours Standard, at the Examination for the Primary Degree, or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Professor, or, where appropriate, the Head of Department of his/her suitability.

Non Standard Applications

Completed Ph.D. application forms are forwarded by the Department, to the Registrar for inclusion under Registrar's Business in the Academic Council.  The recommendation to accept / reject the applicant is made by the Academic Council.  Students are informed of the decision of the Academic Council by the Registrar.