The aim of the UCD Chemistry MSc and PhD graduate research programmes is to permit all students to develop and exercise the personal responsibility, initiative, and specialist/generic skill sets needed to effectively engage with today’s complex and demanding professional career landscapes.
Completion of an MSc by Research typically takes about 15 months full-time to complete, after a bachelor’s degree. There are three start dates in the academic year when you can begin your postgraduate studies; September, January or May. In many cases, we offer funded studentships (tax-free scholarship and payment of University fees). Graduate Applications are made directly through a member of our academic staff working in the area of research that most closely matches your field of study. You should email them directly, specifying your research interests, qualifications and experience and enquire about funding opportunities.
All students registering for a PhD or Research Masters in the School of Chemistry take part in a structured research programme. The main features of these programmes are:
Your Research Project - the focus and central activity of your programme, with your principal supervisor as your primary source of information, training, advice and support.
Your Doctoral Studies Panel/Masters Research Panel - to provide advice and support and to monitor your progress
Research & Professional Development Planning - ensures that your work is clearly focused on achieving your research and professional goals.
Transfer Assessment - If you want to transfer to a PhD programme
Taught Modules - All incoming PhD students must take 30 credits of taught modules but in MSc by Research programmes, students are not required to complete any taught modules and associated credits in order to complete their degree. However, if an MSc by Research student is considering subsequent transfer to a PhD programme via Transfer Assessment, the student must take certain modules (12.5 taught credits including the mandatory PhD Stage 1 modules) with the approval of their Supervisor and Research Masters Panel.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
Expected October 2025
More details
Start date
September 2025
UCD College of Science
Room E1.09/E2.09,
UCD O'Brien Centre for Science - East,
BELFIELD,
Dublin,
Republic of Ireland
This programme is intended for applicants with an bachelors degree.
An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version; A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +. In the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 250 is required. A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (IBT).
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.