Overview

The PhD in Children and Youth Studies from University College Dublin can be carried out full time over three to four years or part time over six years. There is also an accelerated option, where students can apply to transfer directly to the third year of the part time route, after successfully completing the two-year part time MSc in Children and Youth Studies.

Features

The relevance of the PhD in Children and Youth Studies to improving the lives of young people makes this a challenging, exciting and rewarding graduate programme for people at any stage in their careers.

Graduates bring with them an enhanced understanding of their research area plus a deep awareness of the complex and interdependent social issues facing contemporary childhoods and youth, to any professional role they may inhabit after the programme.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

In addition, our students are supported in writing applications for grants and scholarships, and we have a very high level of success in attracting student awards from the Irish Research Council, and the National University of Ireland.

Our students present their research at the All-Ireland doctoral conference, hosted annually by UCD and QUB, and they also present at international conferences.

Many of our research students have won places on prestigious graduate summer schools.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months
Part-time
- 72 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-07 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

More details

Students should contact the advisors first, explaining their motivation for pursuing the degree and their intended area of research.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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OTE

140

Credits

30 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Dublin, Ireland

Disciplines

Education View 10 other PhDs in Education in Ireland

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

OTE

140

Other requirements

General requirements

High honours in an appropriate master’s degree (or equivalent) and/or evidence of other academic standing and/or relevant professional experience that demonstrates suitability for PhD study.

Evidence of meeting the School’s English language requirements for PhD study. These are: IELTS of 7 total score, with no band below 6.5, or alternatively a masters’ degree graded at 2:1 or above, written in English and obtained from an English speaking institution in an English speaking country, within the past 3-years from date of application.

Research proposal in topic area of interest to the School of Education.

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

13730 EUR / year

≈ 13730 EUR / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

7130 EUR / year

≈ 7130 EUR / year

Living costs

Dublin

Ireland

1100 - 1800 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Children and Youth Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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