Potential New Students (Queries & Applications)
- Applying for a research programme/Enquiring with a CV/transcripts/research proposal
Request that the potential student attach a research proposal and/or topic of interest if they have not done so already. Ask if they are happy for us to circulate their details to potential supervisors and Deans. If so, circulate: Dear …….., please see the below research application which may be of interest to you as a potential supervisor/to research supervisors in your faculty.
- How do I apply for a research programme
The application form for entering a research master’s is GS1a, available here: Graduate School Forms – TUS
The entry requirements are explained in Section 3.1 of our regulations: TUS-Postgradute-Research-Regulations-2023-2026.pdf
We would need your academic transcripts and supervisors CVs along with the application form for approvals by Faculty, Postgraduate Subcommittee and Academic Council before you could be registered as a research student.
If you have a research proposal to hand, I would suggest emailing this to us, we can try to locate a supervisor for you. If you are currently engaged in a TUS degree, I would suggest reaching out to your lecturers and/or your course director who could point you in the right direction in terms of supervision & research in the areas you are interested in.
Please see the link here for available funded research programmes Funded Postgraduate Research Opportunities – TUS . If there are none available in your topic of interest, once you have a supervisor, you can work together to write a research proposal and apply for funding, more information here: Research Supports – TUS
External funding sources can be accessed here: External Funding Opportunities – TUS
Finally, the Postgraduate Research Student Handbook is a good source of information regarding the application process, writing a research proposal etc.: PostGraduate-Research-Handbook-1.pdf
Credit Requirement on Research Masters / PhD
- I’ve just commenced my Research Masters / PhD. What is the credit requirement on my programme?
There are 3 research modules which every research student in TUS must take, regardless of whether you are on a research masters or a PhD. We call these the Core Modules. They are: Research Ethics, Academic Writing and Research Methodology. They are worth 5 credits each. For students on research masters you must complete these 3 core modules along with your thesis (105 credits) to satisfy your total credit requirement (120 credits).
If you are undertaking a PhD you must complete these 3 core modules along with 15 credits of discipline specific modules and your thesis (210 credits) to satisfy your total credit requirement (240 credits).
- How do I sign up for the Core Modules?
The 3 core modules are delivered each semester. You can take them together or spread them out across semesters. These modules were created to help you with your research so you should take them early on in your research programme. The lecturer who delivers these modules will email you at your student email address with information on how to enrol and a timetable. You decide when to take these core modules by discussing it with your supervisors.
- I’m doing a PhD. Where do I find out about the discipline specific modules (DSM’s) that I need to take?
The Graduate School will provide you with a list of available DSM’s. You might also hear them referred to as ‘electives’. Some of these are taken from current, taught Masters programmes. Others have been created specifically for research students to take as a DSM.
You will decide which DSM’s you should take by consulting with your supervisory team. You can also take DSM’s which are external to TUS.
- How do I sign up for a DSM?
This only applies to PhD students. The Graduate School will run an application process twice in the academic year; firstly for the semester 1 modules which start in September and then again for the semester 2 modules which start in January. You will apply using an online form (GS19a) and also a Word form (GS19b) as back-up. You can also use the GS19b form to apply for an external module or to apply for exemptions for the DSM requirement. You might be able to get an exemption if you have already complete level 9 taught modules in your area of research. All applications are sent to the relevant faculty research committee for approval.
Finalisation of Thesis / Approval of Examiners / VIVA VOCE
- When should I submit my GS3 Form (Intention to Present/Approval of Examiners) if I want to graduate in October/November?
We recommend submitting your GS3 Form 6 months in advance of when you hope to submit your thesis. This is so that everything is in place in advance. The Faculty Research Committee (FRC) has to approve your selection of examiners first and then the Postgraduate Studies Committee must approve it also. This applies to both Research Masters & PhD students.
- Who picks my examiners?
Your principal supervisor must complete the GS3 Form (select your examiners) on your behalf. You need one internal examiner from your faculty as well as one external examiner who is active in the same discipline as you. Exact requirements are in our Regulations on our website https://tus.ie/rdi/graduate-school/ .
You need two external examiners (instead of an internal examiner) if you are a member of staff. The external examiner cannot examine more than 3 theses in a 5 year period. The Graduate School keeps track of this and can send you a list of external examiners who have examined for TUS in the past.
Your principal supervisor submits the GS3 Form to the Graduate School on your behalf. They should provide the examiners with an expected date for receiving the thesis and, if you are a PhD student, for the subsequent viva voce. These dates don’t have to be exact at this stage – it is just to give the examiners an idea of timelines before they agree to act as your examiner.
- How do my examiners get my thesis?
You will submit your thesis via Moodle. The relevant Graduate School team members will download your thesis from Moodle and will distribute it to both examiners. The Graduate Schools sends instructions and the appropriate GS Forms for reviewing the thesis.
- Who schedules my Viva Voce?
Your principal supervisor will agree a date for your Viva Voce with your examiners. The Viva can be arranged once both examiners have received the thesis. Viva’s can be held throughout the year including the summer – if you expect that your Viva may take place between June & August (inclusive), your supervisor should make sure in advance that the examiners are willing to examine during those months. Research Masters students do not usually have a Viva Voce but this can happen if the examiners request one. Once a date is agreed with your examiners, the Graduate School takes over by sourcing a Chairperson and making venue, catering and IT bookings. Your supervising team (and you) will have no further contact with your examiners after the Viva date is agreed.
- If I want to graduate at the next available Graduation Ceremony, when should my Viva Voce take place?
Inclusion in the next Graduation is dependent on the outcome of your Viva – unless lucky enough to have no corrections, the research student has 3 months to complete minor corrections and 6 months to complete major corrections. For this reason, we do not recommend that your Viva is held in September. If a Viva must take place in September then we strongly recommend it take place in the first week. Research Masters & PhD awards must be ratified through official examination board meetings which take place in January, June and September. If your Viva takes place in September you would have to have all corrections made and signed off by your examiners before the September examination board which normally takes place in mid-September.
- What happens if I miss the examination board meeting and cannot graduate at the next Ceremony?
The Graduate School will issue you with a letter of completion which you can use to further your career. If you have completed a PhD, you can use your doctoral title as soon as your award has been ratified at the examination board meeting. You will be automatically invited to the next Graduation Ceremony to graduate.