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Information & Communication Studies

PhD (NFQ Level 10)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact Us

The staff of ICS work in a wide variety of research areas encompassing many aspects of information and communications studies. Please take a look at staff profiles to see if your project would fit with our staff interests and expertise. To be considered for admission to the School, you will need to have the support of at least one of our staff who are willing to supervise your thesis project. Staff will want to see a CV and a draft of your proposed project before agreeing to supervise so please contact staff before applying. It is the applicant's responsibility to find an appropriate supervisor; the PhD coordinator will not be able to do so.

https://www.ucd.ie/ics/study/phdresearchprogrammes/

About This Course

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 GSBL50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research  7.5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS30020 Web Publishing  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40030 People, Information & Communication: Our Information Behaviour  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40560 Digital Libraries  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40570 Children & Youth Info Services  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40630 Digital Curation:Core Concepts  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40900 Scholarly Communication  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS41520 UXD: User-Centered Design  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50040 Advanced Research Practice I  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50050 Advanced Research Practice II  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50090 Advanced Independent Study 1  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50100 Advanced Independent Study 2  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50110 Advanced Research Experience 1  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50120 Advanced Research Experience 2  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50130 Advanced Independent Study 3  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 LAW50030 Advanced Research in Law  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 GSBL50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research  7.5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS30020 Web Publishing  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40030 People, Information & Communication: Our Information Behaviour  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40560 Digital Libraries  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40570 Children & Youth Info Services  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40630 Digital Curation:Core Concepts  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS40900 Scholarly Communication  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS41520 UXD: User-Centered Design  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50040 Advanced Research Practice I  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50050 Advanced Research Practice II  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50090 Advanced Independent Study 1  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50100 Advanced Independent Study 2  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50110 Advanced Research Experience 1  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50120 Advanced Research Experience 2  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 IS50130 Advanced Independent Study 3  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
PhD students are required to complete 30 taught credits over the course of their programme (as outlined in Section 7 of the Academic regulations). A list of modules considered appropriate by your School is given below, and from which you can select module(s) subject to timetables/capacity. Please, ensure that you have discussed your choice with your supervisor. If your supervisor has recommended a module that does not appear below then please follow the advice on registration to taught modules published on the Graduate Studies website.
 LAW50030 Advanced Research in Law  5

PhD Information & Communication Studies (W139) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7130
nonEU    fee per year - € 13730

PhD Information & Communication Studies FT (W139) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7130
nonEU    fee per year - € 13730

PhD Information & Communication Studies (W140) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4710
EU          fee per year - € 4710
nonEU    fee per year - € 9200
nonEU    fee per year - € 9200

***Fees are subject to change

PhD students applicants should have an academic background necessary to support doctoral level research. A potential supervisor may be able to advise on the knowledge they expect their potential students to have gained before applying for entry to the programme. We welcome students from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds.
Since the PhD programme includes 30 credits of classwork, you will have the opportunity to learn some of the skills and knowledge you will need to complete your thesis.

1. Check admission requirements.

a. A minimum 2.1 primary degree (GPA greater than 3.08) in any field of study*; OR
b. A minimum 2.1 (GPA greater than 3.08) master’s degree in information science, library science, communication studies or a related field.
For non-native English speakers, an English language certificate is required: IELTS overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each section.
*If an applicant does not hold a master’s degree, they will be required to enter the PhD programme via the MLitt programme and will be provided the option of advancing to stage two of the PhD programme after successful completion of a Transfer Assessment Panel (TAP). Only applicants who meet the master’s degree requirement will be considered for funding.

2. The online application system opens in February each year.

Although you may submit at any time, applications are not reviewed until after the May 1st deadline (if you are applying for the UCD China Scholarship Scheme or other schemes the deadlines are usually much earlier- please contact the PhD Coordinator or UCD Graduate studies). We will attempt to notify you about the outcome of your application as soon as possible. After your application is reviewed, you may be asked to complete an online interview to provide the application committee with more information.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Information & Communication Studies:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU W139
PhD Information & Communication Studies FT
Doctor of Philosophy		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Graduate Research Apply
showAudience-audienceEU W140
Information & Communication Studies
Doctor of Philosophy		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Graduate Research Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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