All PhD students are supported by a supervisory team. Each supervisory team must include at least two members of UCC academic or research staff.

Policy on the Supervision of Research Students  

All Research Masters students are supported by a supervisory team.  Each supervisory team must include at least two members of UCC academic or research staff.  

Policy on the Supervision of Research Students

The Research Learning Plan must be co-created by student and the supervisory team within the first three months of the programme and is updated following each Research Progress Review. This Research Learning Plan must include, at a minimum, details on the frequency of meetings (minimum of 10 recorded meetings per annum for full time students and 5 for part-time), expectations, objectives and related timelines, dates of annual progress reviews, module requirements, data management, ethical approval.

All doctoral students must engage with a formal research progress review, on an annual basis at a minimum (including part time students). This formal research progress review is in addition to any regular meetings the Student has with their Supervisory Team.

Progress Review Policy for Research Students

Research Masters students do not have to complete a formal progress review in year 1.  If these Students go into year 2 or beyond, they will have to complete a progress review at month 6 of the second year, and every year thereafter until submission (including beyond their approved period of study). 

Progress review Policy for Research Students

PhD students must register and pay fees each year until submission

In addition to university level workshops, College, School and Department levels also offer workshops and other events for research students. Research students are advised to enquire via their Supervisory Team or local unit Graduate Studies Committee.

PhD students are required to take a minimum level of 15 credits of postgraduate training, by registering for Postgraduate Training Modules. For a 3 year PhD, the maximum number of module credits that can be undertaken is 45 credits. For a 4 year PhD, the maximum number of credits that can be undertaken is 60 credits.

Module Registration for Research Students | University College Cork

Although Research Masters students are not required to take any coursework or training, they can choose to take up to a maximum of 15 credits over the course of their  programme, if they and their Supervisory Team agree that it is appropriate.  

Module Registration for Research Students | University College Cork

The minimum duration of a PhD course is 3 years full-time, or 6 years part-time. The maximum duration of a PhD course is 6 years (whether full time or part time).

The minimum duration of a Research Masters is 1 year full-time, and 2 years part-time. The maximum duration of the course is determined by the approved registration period for each course, which varies by College.

PhD students undertake an equivalent student workload of 90 ECTS credits for each calendar year of full-time research, or proportional equivalent for part-time students. Students will complete a minimum of 270 credits (3 years, full-time) and a maximum of 360 credits, for consideration for the award of PhD.

Students undertake a workload equivalent to 90 ECTS credits for each calendar year of full-time research, or proportional equivalent for part-time students. Students will complete a minimum student workload equivalent of 90 credits (1 year full-time, or 2 years part-time) and a maximum workload equivalent to 180 credits, for consideration for the award of Master.