How to Apply

Download your Postgrad Prospectus Here. 

To make an application please follow instructions below:

1. Click here for Taught Programmes, choose the programme of your choice
2. Read ‘Entry Requirement’ to find out the documents required to be uploaded with your application.  At the time of applying applicants must upload their educational documents (UL graduates do not need to upload UL Transcripts). 
3. Click APPLY NOW, then ‘new user’.  From there you will create a username and password, please take note of these in case you need to save the application and return to it later.   Remember to use upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols in  password. If you experience any difficulties creating an account please check the type of browser you are using - Google Chrome can cause problems in some instances. If you have previously submitted an application to the University via the online application but are unable to remember your password - please use the forgotten password.
4. UPLOAD required documents - as set on under "What to include with your application" on the entry requirement section of the programme webpage
5. Pay an application fee of €50 (electronic transfer) which allows you to apply for two postgraduate programmes in one online application. 
6. The final step is to SUBMIT your application.

If you experience any difficulty with your Application please Contact Us

Recognition of Prior Learning

A key element in facilitating the return of adult learners to education is the Universitys Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This is a system whereby learning acquired through certified programmes and/or through experience can be acknowledged as a basis for admission onto programmes and/or for gaining exemptions from specific parts of a programme. The purpose of RPL is to expand access to programmes and formal qualifications and to reduce the time and cost of programmes for people who already possess some of the knowledge, skills and competence which a programme seeks to develop. For further information click here

How you apply for your PhD or Research Masters will depend on whether or not you have agreed on a draft research proposal with your proposed supervisor(s).

1. Applying if you have a project and supervisor

You’ll need to follow these steps:

Fill in your Application Form where possible the application form should be opened in Internet Explorer, downloaded and saved to your desktop/laptop. Where users are using a browser based PDF reader, it may not be fully compatible with the aforementioned form. Where users are using an out of date version of Adobe Reader, it may not be fully compatible with the aforementioned forms. Where applicants are using of internet browsers (chrome or firefox) the recommendation is to ensure that users are opening the form in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and that Adobe Reader is up to date.

Details on using Electronic (Digital) Signatures on Postgraduate Research (PGR)  Application Form and PGR Forms:

• How to Sign PDF with Digital Signature Certificate (in Adobe Acrobat Reader)
• Create A Digital Signature while on Campus

Please return the completed application form and your research proposal via email to: DoctoralCollege@ul.ie  In the subject line of the email to DoctoralCollege@ul.ie applicants should write- PhD Application: (Applicant’s Full Name).

• Detailed information on the Postgraduate Research Application, Admission & Enrolment Process is available here
   
• Provide a detailed proposal of the research to be undertaken (on separate sheets if necessary). This should include sections on 1) Description of the topic including the aims of the research; 2) Objectives and/or hypotheses; 3) Research Methodology, including how the data will be collected; and 4) Bibliography and references.
   
• Please note that some faculties may have research proposal guidelines which need to be followed, these are listed below
   
• For Science & Engineering proposals please use the following headings: 1) Background; 2) Objectives; 3) Work to be done; 4) Methods to be used; 5) Novel aspects; 6) Scientific or Engineering theoretical issue(s) addressed; proposal to be a maximum of 2 pages.
   
• For Kemmy Business School /Faculty of Business research student (PhD) proposal guidelines, including the evaluation criteria please see KBS Guidelines
   
• Please note that funded applicants (IRC, PRTLI, SFI...) should ensure that a Financial Aid form is completed, signed and submitted to the finance office.
   
• Further information on the schedule of fees for research postgraduate students is available from the fees office. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Graduate School.

Bear in mind that if you’re using a browser-based PDF reader, it may not be fully compatible with the application form. If you’re using Adobe Reader, please ensure that it’s up to date. (You can check by going here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/)

2. Applying if you don’t have a potential supervisor

If you don’t yet have a potential supervisor, you’ll need to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form  and a research proposal.

The research proposal will help place you with the right supervisor. If you need more information on completing a research proposal, go to page 3 on the Expression of Interest Form.

Once you have completed the Expression of Interest form and draft  research proposal,  please submit these documents (PDF format) to the Doctoral College, email: DoctoralCollege@ul.ie In the subject line of the email potential applicants should write – PhD Expression of Interest: (Applicant’s Full Name).

The Expression of Interest form and the proposal will then be sent to the relevant faculty and department who will endeavour to identify an appropriate supervisor(s) for you. 

If you need more information please see additional information on the Research Postgraduate Application, Admission & Enrolment Process is available here

Where you may be trying  to identify a potential supervisor and project. You can find more information on each faculty here:

• Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
• Kemmy Business School
• Education & Health Sciences
• Science & Engineering

Finally, if you are seeking for a funded postgraduate research position, please the our webpage Funded Postgraduate Research (PhD). There may also be information available on funding on individual faculty pages.

Applications for postgraduate research are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please submit your certified results for all examinations mentioned on your application form and/or confirmation of the award of your qualification(s) along with your application.

International Postgraduate Research Students can access detailed information relating to Visa and Immigration matters from UL Global 

English Language Requirements

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements.

Further to this, offer holders who do not meet the English language requirements above, can if they wish study pre-sessional English language classes at the UL Language Centre which is located on the UL Campus. For more information on preparatory language classes, please email language.centre@ul.ie

Equal Opportunities

The University of Limerick is fully committed to the provision of equality of opportunity and is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  

University policies and procedures do not discriminate against individuals on grounds such as gender, marital or family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the traveller community.

To make an application please follow instructions below:

1. Click here for Professional Education Programmes, choose the programme of your choice
2. Read ‘Entry Requirement’ to find out the documents required to be uploaded with your application.  At the time of applying applicants must upload their educational documents (UL graduates do not need to upload UL Transcripts). 
3. Click APPLY NOW, then ‘new user’.  From there you will create a username and password, please take note of these in case you need to save the application and return to it later.   Remember to use upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols in  password. If you experience any difficulties creating an account please check the type of browser you are using - Google Chrome can cause problems in some instances. If you have previously submitted an application to the University via the online application but are unable to remember your password - please use the forgotten password.
4. UPLOAD required documents - as set on under "What to include with your application" on the entry requirement section of the programme webpage
5. Pay an application fee of €50 (electronic transfer) which allows you to apply for two postgraduate programmes in one online application. 
6. The final step is to SUBMIT your application.

If you experience any difficulty with your Application please contact gps@ul.ie 

Recognition of Prior Learning

A key element in facilitating the return of adult learners to education is the Universitys Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This is a system whereby learning acquired through certified programmes and/or through experience can be acknowledged as a basis for admission onto programmes and/or for gaining exemptions from specific parts of a programme. The purpose of RPL is to expand access to programmes and formal qualifications and to reduce the time and cost of programmes for people who already possess some of the knowledge, skills and competence which a programme seeks to develop. For further information click here

For Apprentices - Unlike traditional apprenticeships, these executive apprenticeship programmes at UL are designed for people who are already working and wish to gain additional knowledge and experience within their role. As such, all of our programme participants have existing contracts of employment that meet or exceed the duration of the apprenticeship.

If you’re interested in undertaking one of our executive apprenticeships, we recommend that you speak with your employer in the first instance and direct them to the Expresson of Interest form.

For Employers - If you are interested in developing the skills of your employees and to drive the growth and development of your business, then the Apprenticeships programme could be for you. Employers who wish to employ apprentices are required to complete an approval process. There are a number of steps in the validation process:

     1.  Register your Company interest in the apprenticeship programme by completing the expression of interest here or by contacting us at apprenticeships@ul.ie.

     2.  Complete the UL Approval Process:

      - Site visit by one of the dedicated UL programme managers to assess your suitability to host an apprenticeship.
      - Complete the Company sponsorship paperwork including the identification of an In-Company Mentor.

    3. Complete the SOLAS approval process:

      - Site visit by an Authorising Officer of the local Education & Training Board.
      - SOLAS approval of company for funding including SOLAS paperwork for each apprentice.

    4. Complete the UL Postgraduate Registration process:

      - UL Graduate & Professional Studies will send the successful applicant the link to proceed through the normal UL postgraduate student applications process.

*The above illustrates a selection of early application deadline dates. All early application dates, where applicable, will be noted on the programme webpage.

EU Applicants - Application closing date is 17th August 2023. Early application is advisable as many programmes will close in advance of this date where all avaiiable places have been filled. 

Non-EU Applicants - Applications are closed to Non-EU visa required countries from the 10th of July 2023. For Non-EU countries NOT requiring a visa please see https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/coming_to_live_in_ireland/visa_requirements_for_entering_ireland.html#l71449