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Computer Science

PhD (NFQ Level 10)

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

Duration:
4 Years
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
10
Level:
Graduate Research
Award:
Doctor of Philosophy
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
6 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
10
Level:
Graduate Research
Award:
Doctor of Philosophy
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

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. 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.
COMP40610 Information Visualisation Autumn  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. 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.
COMP41400 Multi-Agent Systems Autumn  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. 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.
MEEN40820 Technical Comms (Online) Autumn  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. 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.
STAT40700 Time Series Analysis - Act App Autumn  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. 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.
COMP47470 Big Data Programming Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
COMP47670 Data Science in Python (MD) Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
COMP47750 Machine Learning with Python Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
SCI50030 Academic Writing for Science for Postgraduate students Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
IA50000 Communicating for Impact Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
IA50004 Creative Thinking & Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
SCI50010 Online Research Skills Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
SCI50020 Research Integrity Online Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
COMP30540 Game Development Spring  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. 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.
COMP41680 Data Science in Python Spring  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. 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.
COMP47590 Advanced Machine Learning Spring  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. 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.
COMP47650 Deep Learning Spring  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. 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.
MEEN40670 Technical Communication Spring  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. 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.
STAT40740 Multivariate Analysis (Online) Spring and Summer (separate)  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. 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.
COMP40610 Information Visualisation Autumn  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. 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.
COMP41400 Multi-Agent Systems Autumn  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. 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.
MEEN40820 Technical Comms (Online) Autumn  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. 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.
STAT40700 Time Series Analysis - Act App Autumn  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. 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.
COMP47470 Big Data Programming Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
COMP47670 Data Science in Python (MD) Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
COMP47750 Machine Learning with Python Autumn and Spring (separate)  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. 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.
IA50000 Communicating for Impact Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
IA50004 Creative Thinking & Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
SCI50010 Online Research Skills Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
SCI50020 Research Integrity Online Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  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. 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.
COMP30540 Game Development Spring  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. 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.
COMP41680 Data Science in Python Spring  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. 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.
COMP47590 Advanced Machine Learning Spring  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. 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.
COMP47650 Deep Learning Spring  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. 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.
MEEN40670 Technical Communication Spring  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. 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.
STAT40740 Multivariate Analysis (Online) Spring and Summer (separate)  5

PhD Computer Science (T113) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 8020
nonEU    fee per year - € 15440

PhD Computer Science (T114) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5360
nonEU    fee per year - € 10300

***Fees are subject to change

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


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Computer Science:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T113
Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing May 2026
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T114
Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing May 2026
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T113
Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T114
Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page