PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences

Description:

The course trains students to become independent researchers in an area of the humanities or social sciences, contributing original knowledge in their chosen discipline. The doctorate programme develops skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, project management, and writing. Students gain a sophisticated, cutting-edge knowledge of their research speciality.

Requirements:

Candidates who apply for this course must have an MQF 7 level degree. Students must have English or Spanish language competency at a C1 level. Evidence of this competency that will be accepted includes:

• Having completed an EQF 7 level degree in the appropriate language

• English language competency scores on IELTS as such: overall: 6.5; Writing: 6; Reading: 6; Listening: 6; Speaking: 6 (or 7.5 in writing and 6.5 in other elements if the course is offered by Dpt. of English or Arts); or, for Spanish, a C1 or higher score on the DELE exam.

• Students who are transferring from another accredited doctoral programme may be eligible to complete the degree in a shorter timeframe. This arrangement will be detailed as part of any offer of admission.

Below is a list of some specialization but you may create your own research specialization for your doctorate research degree

• Philosophy

• Anarchist Studies

• Philosophy & Psychoanalysis

• Psychoanalysis

• Psychology

• Critical Theory

• Social & Political Thought

• Theology

• Anthropology

• Art, Politics, and Philosophy

• Sociology

• History

The PhD programme is online.

The doctoral dissertation length and structure may vary between 80,000- 100,000 words (excluding bibliography and appendices) and not to exceed 100,000 words.

This means that course work is not required in our PhD programme unless your academic supervisor requires it.

GCAS Accepts Applications on a Rolling Basis

PhD Programme Requirements

To complete the PhD programme, a researcher must:

1. Meet monthly with your advisor and Dissertation Peer Group (DPG). Meetings take place during the academic year.

2. Formally present your research within GCAS College Dublin and at an academic conference not associated with GCAS.

3. Publish two articles in a peer-reviewed journal or book.

4. Successfully defend your Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (PhD Candidate Status is Achieved).

5. Pass language examinations (when required by your advisor).

6. Successfully defend your Doctoral Dissertation.

Prerequisites for Acceptance: 

Our researchers come from some of the best academic institutions in the world, including UC Berkeley, Columbia University, London School of Economics, Swarthmore, Yale, New York University, Case Western Reserve University to name a few. As a research institute and college that is challenging traditional academia, however, we attract applicants who have diverse backgrounds, experiences, and fresh perspectives to add to the conversation and their own research. If you are passionate about learning new skills and want to help re-shape the future of learning, then we invite you to join our intellectual and activist community by applying. To help us accomplish our goal of truly accessible education, the application does not have a fee.

Our degree programme is rigorous and applicants must possess an accredited Master’s degree to be considered for admission. On occasion, applicants with a BA and extensive experience may be considered. Applicants with a BA who the admissions committee do not feel meet the requirements for the PhD will be considered for the MA programme.

Programme Aim and Outcomes

This programme is designed to provide students with a broad set of skills, knowledge and expertise. GCAS aims to attract students from a variety of backgrounds so that our students have the opportunity to engage with the world from a range of places and on diverse topics.  

Students will spend most of their candidature completing a supervised dissertation.

Students will work one-on-one with their advisor to select, write, and defend a substantive and original research on a chosen topic. The PhD dissertation defence will occur before a defence committee comprised of experts in the relevant field(s) of inquiry.

Representative Fields of Research

Current doctoral students’ research focuses on a variety of topics including: human migration and climate shift, theology, philosophy, critical pedagogy, literature, social change, pornography, computation & mathematics, Africana studies, crypto-economics, feminism and housing, housing development, and art performance.

Placement Information

We anticipate graduates from GCAS’s PhD programmes to go onto a variety of careers and positions. These include working on policy for nonprofits and NGOs, as well as into academia. The degree’s emphasis on critical thinking makes it useful for entrance into almost any position. Data shows that more businesses are looking for people with a Liberal Arts degree and we believe that for this reason, graduates from this programme will be highly sought after. 

Application Information

We consider this recruitment and application process to be a crucial part of accepting new PhD Researchers into our programme. This is because when an applicant is accepted, they will enter into a world-leading academic community, and when the student graduates, they will become co-owners of GCAS College Dublin along with the faculty and other graduates. Our application process is designed like it is because we want to discover and work with applicants who understand and want to extend our mission, vision and values throughout their lives.

The PhD Application contains two required phases. Phase one (1) is the initial application and fee. Phase two (2) is advanced and gives the applicant and GCAS College Dublin opportunities to get to know each other better. There are no additional fees in Phase two (2). After the applicant completes Phase two (2) they will be notified whether or not they have been accepted into our College and global academic community.

Student Visas

At GCAS, all of our programmes are designed to be completed entirely online. As a result, no student visas or relocation are required to enrol and study with us. You can pursue your academic goals from anywhere in the world, ensuring flexibility and convenience as you advance your education with GCAS.