Overview

The PhD for Higher Education Professionals at University College Cork is a full-time cohort-based programme that runs for four years. The programme involves the completion of research in your chosen discipline, leading to the submission of a PhD thesis by publication.

Designed for professionals already working in the higher education sector this is a structured PhD with a focus on research and innovation. The first three years of the PhD will involve undertaking modules worth 60 taught credits, while simultaneously working with your supervisory team on your thesis.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Indicative - modules are subject to change.
Year 1
Students take 25 credits as follows - all listed core modules (15 credits) and 10 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
PG6015	An Introduction to Research Integrity, Ethics and Open Science	5
PG7049	The PhD Journey: Research Skills for Doctoral Researchers (online)	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:
PG6009	Graduate Information Literacy (5)
PG6010	Contemporary Practices in Publishing and Editing (5)
PG6012	Historical Perspectives to Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (5)
PG6013	Applied Critical Trends in Teaching and Learning for My Higher Education Journey (5)
Discipline specific module (5)
External module (5) (prior approval needed)
Year 2
Students take 25 credits as follows - all listed core modules (10 credits) and 15 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
PG7053		10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 15 credits from the following:
PG7050	The PhD Journey: Research Training for Doctoral Researchers (5)
UW0007	Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindshift (5)
Discipline specific module (5 or 10 credits)
External module (5)
Year 3
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:
CE4025	Leadership in Sustainability in Enterprise (5)
PG6003	Teaching and Learning for Graduate Studies (5)
TL6010	Inclusive Academic Practice for Research Supervision (5)
Discipline specific module (5)
External module (5)
Year 4
Completion of publication-based thesis.

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for PhD for Higher Education Professionals (NFQ Level 10, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1
4-1
Develop the ability to communicate effectively to scholarly, practitioner and enterprise audiences.
2
4-2
Identify and apply strategies for successful engagement with community/enterprise partners.
3
4-3
Undertake research at an advanced level, and translate knowledge to research/practice/enterprise settings.
4
4-4
Produce original research, or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, and to merit publication.
4-5
5
Develop skills in order to communicate complex and/or ambiguous ideas, issues, and conclusions clearly and effectively to multiple audiences.
4-6
6
Synthesise knowledge on teaching and learning and the practice of both in order to determine appropriate strategies for research teaching/supervision.
4-7
7
Understand and critique the HE sector nationally.
4-8
8
Participate in work based learning.