Maynooth University Department of Economics

The department tailors the programme for the needs of the individual student depending on the student’s background. If the student has not gone through the MSc programme in Maynooth, often (but not always) the student may have to follow one of our taught MSc programmes in the first year of the PhD programme. Please see the following link for information on our taught MSc programme: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics/our-courses

For the students who will follow the MSc programme in their first year of their PhD studies:

Students need to receive a mark greater than or equal to 60% in each of the core modules and in the thesis, and an overall mark that is greater than or equal to 2.1. The PhD students will submit the backbone of the first PhD thesis paper at the deadline the MSc students submit their MSc theses. If the student cannot pass the first-year hurdles at the PhD level, then the studentship in the PhD Programme will be terminated. However, if the student successfully completes the MSc programme, the student can receive the MLitt degree (upon successful defence of the MLitt thesis).

For the students with an MSc degree in Economics/Economic and Financial Risk Analysis from Maynooth University:

Below you can find the requirements for the course of study of a student who has already gone through our formal MSc training.

Year 1

1. Present an original idea for a piece of research to the members of the Department of Economics by the beginning of May. The student will be assessed on the basis of a presentation thereof. The student will have until the end of July to achieve a good progress evaluation by the Department.
2. Form a PhD committee consisting of three members by the end of the academic year (August).
3. Students must take a minimum of 4 PhD modules over the course of their PhD studies. Students (ideally) complete 2–4 of these taught modules in the first year and receive at least a passing mark of 50 in each. If the student does not make satisfactory progress in course work, the advisory committee can decide to propose a remedy to be accomplished by a specific date or the advisory committee can advise the Department to terminate the studentship in the PhD Programme.
4. Complete the module titled ‘PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies 1’ with a pass. 
5. Receive a “pass” from EC890.
6. If the student fails to meet these requirements by August of the first year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.

Year 2

1. Complete remainder of taught modules and receive at least a passing mark of 50 in each.
2. Complete the module titled ‘PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies  2’ with a pass.
3. Submit and present a PhD proposal to committee by the end of October. The proposal will be evaluated by the departmental PhD committee. If the committee deems the proposal to be satisfactory, the next oral presentation will be at the beginning of May. If the progress is not deemed to be satisfactory, either the student will be moved to MLitt register immediately (the student would then have until the end of the summer to defend the MLitt thesis), or the committee will give a clear indication that the student will be moved to MLitt register if not enough progress is demonstrated by the end of January.
4. Present the initial dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by the beginning of May. The student should present a complete first chapter or be able to demonstrate substantial progress towards this goal. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.
5. If the student’s supervisory committee deems these requirements are not met by the end of July of the second year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.

Year 3

1. Complete the module titled ‘PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies  3’ with a pass.
2. Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by early May. The student should be able to present a further completed chapter and a clear outline of how the thesis will be completed. Where work is not complete, the student should demonstrate significant progress towards this goal. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.
3. If the student’s supervisory committee deems these requirements are not met by the end of July of the third year, the student is asked to leave the programme by either the Head of Department or the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. A decision will be taken as to whether the student can be moved to the MLitt register or not. This decision is communicated to the Graduate School at this time.

Year 4

1. Complete the module titled ‘PHD Research seminar: Research methodologies  4’ with a pass.
2. Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics by early May. At this point the thesis should be complete or in the very advanced writing up stage. The student will be assessed by his/her committee on the basis of the research progress and the presentation thereof.
3. Submit the PhD thesis by June, or at a date agreed with his/her committee, with viva to be scheduled as soon as possible thereafter.

The above listed are the departmental requirements. Individual supervisors will specify their expectations from the students in addition to the departmental requirements.

PhD students are required to attend EC890 seminars even if no credit is awarded for them after the initial year. Students should contact their supervisors when they cannot attend.

Course Duration: 4 years full-time, 6 years part-time