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PhD Social Work

PhD (NFQ Level 10)

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

Contact Us

The school is now accepting applications for its PhD programmes across its three constituent subject areas - Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. Our Programmes form part of the UCD Structured PhD programme. Our expert faculty all conduct research in their own fields and welcome expressions of interest from prospective students wishing to study in areas including, but not limited to, those in the list below.

Applicants should contact a member of faculty whose research interests match their own. General expressions of interest should go to  School Manager Ciara Darker ciara.darker@ucd.ie

 UCD’s PhD programme has been designed to not only provide first class supervision in relation to a student’s own research, but also to support that research through access to a broad range of taught modules covering both general research methods training and specific subjects

Please refer to this webpage for our academic staff research interests and application process. 

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.
SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn  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.
SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring  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.
SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research Spring  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. 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.
SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn  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. 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.
SPOL40450 Evidence-Based Policy Making Spring  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. 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.
SSJ40010 Feminist & Egalitarian Research Spring  10

PhD Social Work (W367) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7130
nonEU    fee per year - € 13730

PhD Social Work (W368) Part Time
nonEU    fee per year - € 9200
EU          fee per year - € 4710

***Fees are subject to change

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

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 PhD Social Work:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W367
Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing January 2025
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W368
Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing January 2025
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W367
PhD Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Research
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W368
Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Research
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page