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Graduate Education Programme

The NCBES is developing a fully structured PhD programme. Structured PhD programmes have a strong focus on developing a range of transferable skills, giving you a more rounded PhD experience which will assist you greatly in your career after you graduate.

The following is a list of key characteristics of structured PhD programmes in Irish Universities. Such programmes may involve inter-institutional collaboration.

• The core component of a structured PhD programme is the advancement of knowledge through original research; at the same time the structured PhD is designed to meet the needs of an employment market that is wider than academia;
• A high quality research experience, training and output consistent with international norms and best practice;
• To support the original research activity, the following elements are included:
• a formalised integrated programme of education, training and personal and professional development activities,
• the development of discipline-specific knowledge, research skills and generic/ transferable skills,
• declared outcomes and graduate attributes in line with national and international best practice;

• Supervision by a principal supervisor(s), normally with a supporting panel approved by the institution;
• Progress to completion is formally monitored against published criteria and supported by formal institutional arrangements in line with national and international best practice;
• Successful completion and examination of the research thesis is the basis for the award of the PhD degree;