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PHD EDUCATION
- Qualification
- Philosophiae Doctor Degree
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH02G (FT), MH03G (PT)
- Award Type and NFQ level
- RESEARCH PH.D. (10)
- Study Mode
- Full time
Overview
The Structured PhD in Education is a research degree that supports students in engaging in research at the highest academic level. Students work with their supervisors to develop a substantive piece of research that makes an original contribution to knowledge in the field and tradition of educational research. The PhD in Education is offered by the Department of Education in collaboration with colleagues from the Froebel Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Course structure
Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 5-6 years part-time
The purpose of PhD study is to develop a work of independent and original research. To support this, the PhD programme is structured to provide for students to be part of a wider community of knowledge exchange, research, scholarship and dialogue.
Structured PhD students must register for a minimum of 30 credits in pass/fail modules. 15 credits will be in subject-specific modules (2 of which are mandatory in the first year) and 15 credits will be in generic/transferable skills modules. These are selected in close consultation with the student’s supervisors.
Students will write a thesis of approximately 90,000-100,000 words.
More detail in Course Finder
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Careers
Postgraduate students in education come from a range of backgrounds and have a wide range of interests. Some students wish to develop their professional practice and take on leadership roles; others wish to take on other professional responsibilities or engage in policy formation in the national or international context. Holding a PhD qualifies one to teach at university level and to carry out advanced research.
Entry Requirements
Minimum 2.1 degree (BA or MA/M.Ed.) or international equivalent in Education or a cognate area, and a proposal for original research that is accepted by the Department. Students undertake 30 credits of modules that support their research. Generally, students without a Masters undertake 60 credits of modules. Studies can be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis, and credit requirements are the same for both pathways.
IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
PTE (Pearson): 62
Maynooth University’s TOEFL code is 8850
Course duration: 4 years full-time and 6 years part-time
Students must either be self-funded or apply for funding separately for this programme.
Research Interests
The Department of Education at Maynooth University is an exciting place in which to do postgraduate research. We have an excellent international profile, and we are part of a wider research community that engages in research right across the educational continuum. Our staff and students also engage in inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional research. We have a large postgraduate research community, and the diversity of approaches and interests and our pluralistic and collaborative ethos makes it a welcoming and dynamic space for students. The atmosphere is one of intellectual vibrancy and creativity, grounded in excellent research. You can learn more about the research interests of Department of Education colleagues here and of Froebel colleagues here. Further information on our postgraduate community is available here.
Students are free to take up research in any area of educational research that interests them. However, a member of staff with relevant expertise must be available to supervise the project. Students may find it helpful to reflect on a research question and locate a provisional area for research prior to contacting the Programme Director/PhD Programme Co-Ordinator. Inter-disciplinary PhDs are also welcomed, and cross-departmental co-supervisory arrangements can be negotiated.
How to apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis for the structured PhD in Education. Applications will be considered 5 times during the year by the PhD Admissions Panel (in November, February, April, May and June).
Please note that an application for entry to the programme is separate to an application for funding: Students must either be self-funded or apply for funding separately (see information on funding below).
There are 2 steps in the application for entry to the programme:
Step 1: Submit a research proposal
The first step in making an application is to submit a 2,000-3,000-word (excluding bibliography) research proposal to the PhD Admission Panel. To support applicants to draft their research proposal, we host regular proposal writing workshops and we encourage you to attend if you plan to submit a research proposal.
Writing workshops will be offered free of charge on the following days in 2025-2026, please register to attend a proposal writing workshop: ¿
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23/03/2026 | 16:00 - 17:00 GMT |
20/04/2026 | 16:00 - 17:00 GMT |
11/05/2026 | 16:00 - 17:00 GMT |
After attending one of these workshops, you can submit a research proposal to phdeducation@mu.ie.
In broad terms, this should include a provisional research question/topic that will make an original contribution to a field of research in education.
This might be addressing a problem or gap in, or synthesis of, existing research.¿Research proposals generally have the following structure:
- Introduction and Outline of Research Topic
- Research Literature and Theory
- Proposed Methodology
- Proposed timeline for the study
- AI declaration (please indicate if AI was used in preparing the proposal, and if so, provide details on where/how it was used)
- Please indicate if you have been working with a supervisor from the programme in preparing your proposal
- Bibliography
Students will also find it helpful to review staff profiles and identify staff with areas of interest relating to their proposed research question (there is no need to request or arrange supervision ahead of submitting your proposal – this is organised by the Department following acceptance of a proposal).¿Department of Education staff profiles and Froebel staff profiles can be found online.
The following deadlines apply for submission of research proposals:
13th April 2026 - for review at the April Admission Panel Meeting. |
5th May 2026 - for review at the May Admission Panel Meeting. |
Note: 30th May 2026 is the closing date for applications for entry in September 2026 |
Research proposals received will be reviewed by the PhD Admission Panel at its next meeting. The Panel will generally offer one of these outcomes:
- Accept your proposal and invite you to make a formal application for the PhD programme (see Step 2 below).
- Advise you to revise or refine aspects of your proposal and resubmit for further review by the Admission Panel.
- Advise you that the Department does not have supervision capacity in your research area or that your topic does not fit with the PhD in Education programme.
The PhD Admission Panel only reviews one proposal per applicant each year (unless a resubmission is invited).
Step 2: Make a formal application
Making a formal application through MU Apply should only