Music

The UCD School of Music PhD as typically three or four years, culminating in a thesis of approximately 80,000 words that makes a significant original contribution to the field. The programme includes 30 credits of taught components, but most of the work is independent research under supervision.

On succesful completion of the PhD in Music, graduates will be able to:

• Conduct original, independent research in music at doctoral level.
• Make an original contribution to knowledge in the chosen area of music research.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of relevant musical, historical, cultural, theoretical and/or methodological literature.
• Critically evaluate existing scholarship, identifying gaps, problems and competing interpretations.
• Formulate sophisticated research questions and develop appropriate methodologies to answer them.
• Analyse and interpret complex musical and cultural materials using appropriate scholarly or creative methods.
• Communicate research effectively, particularly through substantial academic writing and presentations.
• Demonstrate research independence, while responding constructively to supervision and scholarly feedback.
• Engage with the wider research community, including seminars, conferences, publications and other forms of scholarly dissemination.
• Apply transferable skills such as critical thinking, project management, academic writing, research design and communication.

Each Spring the School of Music at University College Dublin invites expressions of interest from potential doctoral researchers wishing to apply for Government of Ireland (GOI) Postgraduate Scholarships. 
These prestigious scholarships are open to candidates of all nationalities wishing to pursue PhD studies for a period of four years. The School of Music at UCD will offer bespoke support to selected applicants.

Please click for further information regarding the Application Process (2027 details not released as of October 2026).

School research travel grant: Research students in the School of Music can apply for an annual grant of up to €500 to support conference attendance or research trips, covering travel, accommodation, and conference fees (if presenting). 
Further information on this scheme can be found here.

The following are the minimum requirements necessary to undertake a PhD in the School of Music. These are based on UCD’s PhD Entry Requirements

Education: Applicants are required to have both: 

• A Masters degree in a relevant subject with Distinction (GPA greater than 3.08) from an accredited institution.
• An Undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2.1 (GPA greater than 3.08) from an accredited institution.
  Academic Transcripts for each degree must be supplied.

English Language Proficiency: Applicants to a PhD programme in UCD from countries where English is not the primary language must provide an English Language test with a result equivalent to a minimum of IELTS 7.5 with not less than 7 in any strand in the Academic Version, taken within the last 2 years.

Accepted tests are listed here.

Please note: The listing on UCD webpages is the minimum requirement for UCD, not the PhD programme.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: No

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No

Prospective students are encouraged to contact individual faculty members to discuss ideas and topics that could lead to successful research projects. Once a potential academic supervisor has expressed interest, students should work towards developing a clear and focused research proposal as preparation for submitting an online application. Faculty research interests and contact details are provided below:

• Details of our faculty's research interests


• A list of current PhD students

Once you have secured supervisor support on the basis of a strong proposal (and any other documents your potential supervisor requires), you should then submit the following documents via UCD's application portal

1. Cover letter, Applicants are required to submit a 1 - 2 page cover letter introducing themselves, outlining why they want to do a PhD, why they want to work with their chosen faculty member, their research interests, and why they want to research their chosen topic..


2. Research Proposal: Prepare a 1,000-2,000 word proposal, to include an abstract, chapter outline, and select bibliography 


3. Writing Sample: Applicants are required to submit a sample of their writing, such as their Master's thesis, a research paper, or an assignment (c. 3,000 words).


4. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are required to attach their Undergraduate and Masters academic transcripts. Applicants must clearly show that they meet the minimum entry requirements of UCD and the funding scheme.


5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants are required to supply the names and details of two referees who have taught or supervised them and who can attest to their academic abilities and suitability to research. These referees may be contacted to supply references by the member of faculty the applicant approaches. The applicant should contact their referees prior to submitting an application to ensure that they are willing to provide letters of recommendation. Applicants may also submit letters of recommendation with their application which will be checked by the faculty member.

Once you have submitted your application, your potential supervisor should email the Director of Postgraduate Studies providing a rational for their support. Your application will then be reviewed by the School’s postgraduate admissions committee.

IMPORTANT: If you do not have the support of a potential supervisor, your application cannot be reviewed.