The Structured PhD is the research doctorate of the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin. Candidates choose their own area of enquiry and write a thesis of up to 100,000 words under a named supervisor.
Two modules are compulsory alongside the research: research methods, and research integrity and open scholarship. The second can be taken online; the other taught sessions must be attended in person in Dublin. Students start each September.
Benefits & funding
- No funding by default: 2025/26 fees are €6,930 a year (EU) or €11,620 (non-EU) full-time; €4,850 or €8,060 part-time.
- Full-time runs 4 years; part-time 6 years.
- The School gives one Trinity Research Doctorate Award a year: full EU or non-EU fees plus a €25,000 annual stipend, for up to 4 years.
Eligibility
- An honours degree, normally at least a 2.1 (upper second class).
- Fluent English: applicants whose first language is not English and who were not educated through English need IELTS 6.5.
- A viable research proposal.
- A School of Education staff member who agrees to supervise, expected before applying.
- Open to any nationality. The award is open to EU and non-EU applicants for a full-time place; students already registered cannot apply.
Application process
- 1Contact a potential supervisor in the School with a draft proposal on the School’s template.
- 2Apply in Trinity’s online system with the proposal and all supporting documents; incomplete applications are not considered. The €55 application fee is charged even if no supervisor is secured.
- 3For the award, say so in the application by 30 April 2027 and add a CV, a 750-word statement, two academic references and a proposal of up to 4,000 words; shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.
Program timeline
Deadline to be considered for the Trinity Research Doctorate Award
Apr 30, 2027
Application deadline, standard admission
Jul 31, 2027
Programme starts
September 2027