PhD Information

The School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy is a vibrant centre for geography, planning, environmental and related public-policy research. In addition to having an active research programme, the School offers a range of opportunities for postgraduate study at PhD level within its Research Degrees Programme in Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy. The School currently offers the following Doctoral Degree programmes:

PhD (Planning and Public Policy)
PhD (Environmental Economics and Policy)
PhD (Geography)

The School is committed to providing excellent facilities and training for research students, including well-equipped research suites for students with state-of-the-art computing facilities, on-site library services, access to taught modules across the College of Human Sciences Graduate School and regular student and staff seminars. All research students are supervised by two or more staff members with a recognised expertise in their field. To pursue a doctoral programme students will be required to complete a series of taught modules, in addition to preparing a thesis which makes a substantial original contribution to their field. The normal period of registration for the PhD degree is three years. In order to be awarded the degree, the work of the candidate must be adjudged by the examiners to be worthy of publication as a whole or in part as a work of serious scholarship.

We would welcome expressions of interest from students interested in Doctoral Research in any of the following areas:

Climatology, the Urban Environment, Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Management, Housing, Urban Geography, Civil Society and Governance, Urban regeneration, Rural Planning and Development, Cultural Geography, Political Geography, Quality of Life, Urban and Regional development, Transportation.

For further information on the school’s research themes, staff interests and expertise, together with details of current PhD students and topics please visit our staff and research web pages.

Applicants for Research Degrees should have a minimum of a second-class honours primary degree in a subject related to geography, planning, environmental policy or environmental economics such as: geography, economics, agricultural economics, planning, public policy and politics, business studies, commerce, social sciences, environmental studies or resource management, engineering, architecture, and law.

For more information on our PhD programme please click here. (Link coming soon).

Important: The closing date for Applications for entry onto our PhD programmes in September 2008 is 31st of May 2008

New PhD Programme in Sustainable Development
If your area of interest, whether in Geography, Planning or Environmental Policy, falls under the broad ambit of Sustainable Development, please consider applying to the New Sustainable Development PhD programme. For more information on this Programme please click here: **NEW PhD in Sustainable Development**

Information on Language Requirements and Fees
Students whose education prior to university level has not been carried out through the medium of English must satisfy English language requirements of a minimum score of 600 TOEFL (250 computer based, with test of written English at 475+) or 6.5 IELTS (minimum of 6.0 in each band). Please also note that in all cases the test results must be less than 2 years old.
For information on fees for Postgraduate Research Degrees, please refer to www.ucd.ie/fees.

Research Masters Programmes
MSc (Planning)
This Master of Science (MSc) degree is directed at those wishing to conduct research into planning and public policy issues. The normal time for completion of the degree is one academic year. The number of places on offer is limited. Studentships may be available which cover fees and provide a stipend. In addition to engaging in research, candidates are required to take such courses as prescribed by the Programme Director.
The MSc (Planning) degree is awarded or withheld based on the presentation by the candidate of a major thesis that tests an original hypothesis. An oral examination may be held if the examiners so decide.

MSc (Environmental Economics and Policy)
The Master of Science (MSc) degree in Environmental Policy is directed at those wishing to conduct research into the economics and policy of environmental issues. It is the only such degree available in Ireland. Candidates are required to prepare a major thesis in a minimum period of one year. Studentships may be available which cover fees and provide a stipend. In addition to engaging in research, candidates are required to take such courses as prescribed by the Programme Director.
The MSc (Environmental Policy) degree is awarded or withheld based on the presentation by the candidate of a major thesis that tests an original hypothesis. An oral examination may be held if the examiners so decide.

MLitt (Geography)
This Master of Literature (MLitt) degree in Geography is directed at those wishing to conduct research into geographical issues. The normal time for completion of the degree is two academic years. The number of places on offer is limited. In addition to engaging in research, candidates are required to take such courses as prescribed by the Programme Director. The courses normally comprise:
The MLitt (Geography) degree is awarded or withheld based on the presentation by the candidate of a major thesis that tests an original hypothesis. An oral examination may be held if the examiners so decide.

Application Procedure
Applications for admission to all research masters programmes can be made online at: www.ucd.ie/apply