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PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science

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PhD Quantitative and Computational Social Science

Duration: 3-4 Years Full Time
Entry to the programme is in September only. 

Programme Overview

We offer a PhD programme in Quantitative and Computational Social Science (QCSS). The structured PhD programme includes (2) extensive training in cutting-edge research methods, (2) regular contact with a Research Studies Panel composed of academic staff with expertise related to the student’s interests, and (3) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research. 

This programme is built around quantitative and computational social science methods and tools applied to substantive and methodological research questions in the social sciences. The programme brings together the perspectives and research methods of various disciplines such as Economics, Politics, Sociology and Statistics. The QCSS programme provides students with rigorous training in quantitative research and methods, including quantitative text analysis, machine learning, computer vision techniques, agent-based modelling, network analysis, and causal inference. Students will apply these methods in their PhD thesis to answer substantive research questions in Social Sciences. 

Successful candidates are invited to join the Connected_Politics Lab, an interdisciplinary hub for researchers using computational methods to study politics and society, the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, and/or the (opens in a new window)UCD Behavioural Science and Policy group, a centre for research and collaboration on integrating behaviourally-informed ideas into public policy. 

Students with a quantitative background in any area can undertake the programme. They will undertake various quantitative social science modules offered by the UCD School of Politics and International Relations, the School of Sociology, and the School of Economics. They may also choose modules that are relevant to their own research interest in other UCD Schools. 

The PhD QCSS programme is a thematic, structured programme. Doctoral studies at UCD comprise two stages:

  • Stage 1 is a period when you define your research plan, develop your research skills and initiate original research work for your doctorate.
  • Stage 2 is primarily dedicated to continuing your original doctoral research but may also include some advanced education and training. 

Some general information on UCD Structured PhDs is available here.

Duration

In general, SPIRe only accepts full-time students.
We can, however, accept part-time students under the following conditions:

1) They provide a multi-year commitment from their employer for payment of fees 
2) They have written agreement from their employer to take timeoff for taught modules, seminar presentations etc.

Entry Requirements

For the structured PhD programme in Quantitative and Computational Social Science, applications are welcomed from applicants with a Master’s degree in data science, computer science, quantitative political science, economics, statistics, and other social science subjects. Applicants to our research degree programmes must have completed and earned a minimum of a 2.1 grade (GPA: 3.6) in a taught Masters (MA, MSc, MLitt, etc.) programme.

General Information for Incoming Students

A Welcome Note from the Dean of Graduate Studies, with information on registration, fees, support services and orientation, can be found here.

When Can I Apply?

There are three application deadlines for the Quantitative and Computational Social Science programme:

  1. Applicants to the Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship: Deadline for 2025 is Friday, 31st January 2025
  2. IRC Government of Ireland Doctoral Scholarship 2026 applicants: Deadline TBC
  3. All other funded applicants: a rolling deadline between 1st October 2024 and 31st July 2025 (for non-EU applicants the deadline is 30th June 2025) 

Note: The Quantitative and Computational Social Science PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC scholarship or alternative external funding, to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible.

As set out by the requirements of UCD Graduate Studies, QCSS students are required to complete a minimum of 35 credits of course works in Stage 1, followed by a programme of original research leading to the award of Doctoral degree by research. More information can be found here.

Modules

Note: the modules listed here are for 2024-25. These may change for 2025-26.

All students must take the following module:

All students take at least one of the following three modules:

In addition, all students take at least three modules, totalling to at least 15 credits. Students with a technical background (computer science, engineering, statistics) take these modules from relevant offerings in the social sciences, while students with a social science background (incl. business and law) take these modules from relevant offerings in computer science, mathematics, and/or statistics. 

 The range of modules is subject to change.

The students may register for other modules depending on their research theme with permission from their Supervisor and the Module Coordinator.

The College of Social Sciences and Law schools also make a range of modules available to graduate research students outside their school each year. For a sample of such modules, click here.

A formal Stage Transfer Assessment (STA) takes place in order to progress from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of the PhD. The STA should be completed within 5 trimesters for a full-time student or 7 for a part-time student. Students must submit a body of written work to a review panel, who will conduct an interview on the work submitted, and must also complete a Research and Professional Development Planning (RPDP). For more information on the RPDP click here. 

The PhD may take the form of a traditional thesis, or a collection of papers (including published papers or papers submitted or prepared for submission) describing a coherent programme of research that has been published or prepared for publication in peer-reviewed journals of international standing, accompanied by a critical and theoretical overview of the work presented in the papers.

UCD/TCD Collaboration

SPIRe collaborates with the Department of Political Science in Trinity College Dublin (TCD). We currently share modules on quantitative and qualitative research methods. In addition, TCD operates a Coding Camp for incoming students, as a preparatory course for Quants I.
Students enrolling on the QCSS programme are welcome to attend this camp. It usually takes place prior to the start of term. Ask the PhD Administrator for more information.

Application Procedure

Applications will be considered when the documentation below, including references, has been emailed to (opens in a new window)dara.gannon@ucd.ie

  • Application Form (fillable word doc)
  • IRC Application Form (Not yet available)
  • Cover letter, stating reasons for interest in QCSS programme.  
  • Research proposal (1,500-2,000 words maximum) which should include:
    • a statement of the research question;
    • a brief literature review that points to research gaps the PhD project could address;
    • an outline of theoretical approaches considered;
    • a brief discussion of the proposed methodology.
  • Copies of ALL Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)
  • CV or Resume (2 pages maximum)
  • Evidence of English language competence, where non-native English speaking applicants have NOT obtained previous university degrees from a university in an English-speaking country. Click on the link for further details on UCD English Language Requirements. The language proficiency certificate should be no more than 2 years old.
  • Two academic references: These should be sent directly by the referees to dara.gannon@ucd.ie with the applicant's name in the Subject field. Actual letters (on headed institutional paper) preferred. If sent by email, they must be from an institutional email address. The QCSS programme reserves the right to verify all references. Sending only the contact details of referees is not sufficient. 
  • If you have had contact with a potential supervisor prior to application, please indicate this clearly in the application form and in the cover letter, including detail on the extent of engagement

This documentation should be emailed to Ms Dara Gannon (PhD Administrator) at (opens in a new window)dara.gannon@ucd.ie 

The submission of original academic transcripts and other documentation will be required as a condition of the final award of a place on the programme.

How does the application process work?

  • Once all documents, including references, have been received, the application will undergo an initial evaluation by the review committee to assess that it satisfies the minimum requirements in terms of academic achievement and language skills 
  • Once it has been confirmed that the applicant is, in principle, eligible to join the QCSS PhD programme, the application gets circulated among the relevant academic staff to determine if a potential supervisor is available and interested in taking on the applicant. 
  • If someone is potentially interested in supervising / co-supervising, a Zoom/Skype call is usually arranged between the potential supervisor(s) and the applicant so that further questions on the project can be asked. The Programme Director will often sit in on the call to ask general questions and/or provide more information on the programme. 
  • Following the call, if the potential supervisor(s) is willing to take on the applicant as a student, the registration process is initiated by the programme’s PhD administrator.
  • If an application is not deemed suitable, a letter will be sent to the applicant informing them of the decision. The programme does not provide individual feedback.

Please note that the application review process does not take place until after the the relevant application deadline. For Honohan Scholarship applicants the application deadline is Friday, 31st January 2025 and for 2026 IRC candidates the deadline is TBC.
There is a rolling deadline for other, externally-funded students.

Honohan Scholarship Applicants
The Honohan Doctoral Scholarship covers a full EU/non-EU fee remission, plus an annual stipend of €25,000. The deadline for applications is Friday, 31st January 2025.  

IRC Applicants
The (opens in a new window)Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The 2026 call will open in September 2025. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended. See this page for more information. If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

Please note: If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first, even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. 

Note: The QCSS PhD programme only accepts students who have a Honohan Doctoral scholarship, an IRC doctoral scholarship or alternative external funding to include a full fee remission and appropriate living expenses. Self-funded applicants are not eligible. 

EU Fees

The FT fee for 2025-26 is €7,130

The PT fee for 2025-26 is €4,710

EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2025-26 

Non-EU Fees

The FT fee for 2025-26 is €13,730

The PT fee for 2024-25 is €9,200

Non-EU Graduate Research Fees for the Academic Year 2025-26

Further information relating to fees     

Fees published are inclusive of a Student Centre Levy (€254) which must be paid by all students.
Note: The Honohan or IRC scholarships do not cover the Student Levy.

Helpful Links
  • Information on estimated living costs in Ireland can be found on the UCD Global website
  • Specific information for international students can be found at UCD Global

SPIRe Scholarships

SPIRe operates an Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship, which provides a fee remission of the scheduled EU or non-EU fee plus a tax-free annual stipend of €25k.  The 2025 application round is now open with an application deadline of Friday, 31st January 2025.

Click here for more details

IRC Scholarships

The (opens in a new window)Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC) covers EU fees plus a stipend. The current round is closed. The application process is highly competitive so collaboration with a local supervisor to develop the application is recommended.

If the IRC fee/stipend allowance does not match that of the school's Honohan scholarship, the school will provide a 'top up' payment.

Please note: If you wish to work with a SPIRe supervisor and use that supervisor's name on your IRC application, you must go through the school application process first, even if the SPIRe academic has indicated his/her willingness to work with you. The SPIRe application deadline for the 2026 IRC round is TBC.

Other Scholarships

Universities of Ireland offers a (opens in a new window)North/South Postgraduate Scholarship to encourage graduate study across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Other UCD scholarships  

Throughout your time in SPIRe, you will have access to a variety of university and school events, workshops and seminars to choose from. Some of the school offerings are below:

The SPIRe Seminar Series offers a variety of seminars from both school faculty and external speakers.

The SPIRe Early Career Researcher Forum provides guidance to early-career researchers and facilitates informal discussions between SPIRe faculty and PhD students. 

The Connected_Politics Laboratory has a series of events and seminars throughout the year.

As does the Dublin Political Theory Workshop

Information on university workshops can be found here

Career Support

Current and recently graduated, UCD Graduate Researchers (PhDs and Research Masters students), can book a 60 minute appointment with a dedicated Career & Skills Consultant to discuss:

  • Individual Career Planning
  • Academic and non-Academic Career Options 
  • Job Applications
  • Interviews and Presentations

More detail can be found here

UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe)

School Office: G301, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.