Education by Research

Since the establishment of a link between University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College, the Education Faculty of MIC has been in a position to offer a range of postgraduate research options. To date these programmes have attracted exceptional interest, and the number of registered postgraduate research students continues to grow from year to year.

Before you apply

• Read about the steps you have to take to do a Research Postgraduate programme at MIC.
• Check the minimum requirements for research degrees at MIC on the How to Apply section of this webpage
• For English language requirements go to: https://www.mic.ul.ie/international/international/essential-information/english-language-requirements
• If you have met all the criteria, click on the 'How to Apply' tab (third item in above or below) to pay your application fee and download the application form that you will submit separately.
• There are also a number of Structured PhD programmes available at MIC. Go to https://www.mic.ul.ie/research/research-graduate-school/research-programmes
• MA: The MA thesis is capped at a maximum of 180 ECTS (European credit transfer system) credits (90 credits =1 year), however long the research takes. The programme is in the form of a master-apprentice model, with research being the only focus.
• PhD: The PhD thesis is capped at a maximum of 270 ECTS (European credit transfer system) credits (90 credits =1 year), however long the research takes. The programme is in the form of a master-apprentice model, with research being the only focus. Entry Requirements for Research Degrees at MIC The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements set by Mary Immaculate College. Individual faculties and programmes may have specific requirements. Applicants are requested to identify a potential supervisor before submitting an application for a research programme. The primary degrees referred to in this section are Level 8 or equivalent honours degrees as defined by the National Framework of Qualifications. The usual minimum requirements for entry to a research master’s, professional doctorate or PhD degree are: a) An appropriate master’s or equivalent qualification that has been obtained from a university or other institution recognised by Mary Immaculate College following a period of study similar to that required in Mary Immaculate College. (A student who holds a master’s degree in a discipline other than that in which the doctoral research is intended to be pursued shall be considered for entry under 5.4.1b) or b) An honours primary bachelor’s degree with a minimum classification of 2.1 honours or equivalent qualification. or c) An honours primary bachelor’s degree with a classification of 2.2 honours or equivalent qualification. (Students who enrol with a 2.2 honours degree or equivalent will be required to undergo a progression review after the first six months of their programme of study) or d) A degree, or equivalent qualification, other than that specified in 5.4.1a, 5.4.1b or 5.4.1c and a minimum of four years’ acceptable professional experience at an appropriate and relevant level may be considered for entry to the masters register. Students within this category without a minimum of four years’ acceptable professional experience will be considered for entry under regulation 5.4.3. For further information on the Research Postgraduate Academic Regulations, please see Chapter 5 of the MIC Handbook of Academic Regulations & Procedures.