PhD in History

Modes of Entry

1. MLitt/PhD: Four Years

The minimum admission requirement is Second Class Honours, Grade One in the BA - or equivalent. Research topic is approved and supervisor is appointed during first semester. There is timetabled course work and research training throughout First Year. Transfer to PhD register is decided upon at end of first year; if transfer is not requested and approved, student proceeds to completion of MLitt at end of second year.

2. Direct Entry: Three Years

Direct entry is normally reserved for those with a Masters degree and is on the basis of prior approval of research topic. There are two basic requirements for direct entry admission:

• A convincing and worthwhile research proposal of sufficient scope, the sources for which have been identified, and which can make a substantial contribution to historical scholarship.
  Proposals are normally of at least 4,000 words in length; it is particularly important that the location of the project in relation to existing literature be set out and that the location, nature and accessibility of primary sources be identified. Potential applicants are invited to consult with members of the department with relevant expertise. (Please see our Staff section.) Instead of a discursive 4,000-word application, a proposal framed on the lines of the IRCHSS application for the postgraduate scholarship may be acceptable. (www.irchss.ie)
• Evidence of the capacity to complete the project to a high scholarly standard, in accordance with professional conventions, and in reasonable time. The usual evidence of capacity is impressive performance on a Masters programme (either completed or still in train). However, the possession of an MA is not an invariable requirement. PhD students may be required to take particular courses necessary for their research.

Structured PhD Programme

The award of the PhD is based entirely on a major thesis. However, to ensure that our graduates obtain as thorough preparation as possible for their future careers the university has put in place a structured PhD programme. Students in the Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy are required to take 60 credits worth of taught modules, of which some are generic, and some are required by the relevant department. For History students, attendance and presentation at the History research seminar count towards these credits.

Each student will have their individual arrangements in respect of the structured programme reviewed by the department on an annual basis.

Application

All postgraduate application at NUI Maynooth is done by way of PAC (www.pac.ie). Applicants for PhD direct entry are strongly advised to consult the department well in advance of their intended date of application, since there can be no positive response to an application until there is time to judge the merits of the proposal and the potential of the applicant. (See 2 above)

Registration

Registration for the PhD is normally from September of each year. However, registration in January is also possible.