SWSP PhD Studentship (Social Work Specific)
Applications are invited for two School PhD Studentship [Social Work] 2026-2027. The award provides a stipend of €25,000 p.a. and EU fees write-down for the four years (fulltime or part-time) of a Structured PhD programme. If the successful applicant is a non-
EU student, they must make up the balance of their fees.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Open to students who have applied to join the Structured PhD Programme, either on a full time or part time basis (EU or non-EU) for the academic year 2026-2027. Also open to students who have applied to undertake their PhD in the School commencing in 2026-2027 via the ‘non-resident PhD programme’.
2. Only awarded to students who are registered as a social worker with CORU – Evidence of registration must be enclosed with the student’s application i.e. SW registration number included on CV + documentary evidence of CORU SW registration.
If an applicant is not yet registered with CORU as a social worker, at time of applying they must have an application in progress. Evidence of application in progress must be enclosed with the student’s application (e.g. email confirmation from CORU that applicant registration is under review). Note: 10 days before interviews evidence of full Registration to CORU will be
requested. If this evidence is not provided the interview offer will be withdrawn.
Please click HERE for a list of CORU approved qualifications for Social Workers.
Please click HERE for the CORU application process.
International students can apply to have their qualifications recognised by CORU. This process can take up to and exceed 4 months. Please click HERE for more details.
Conditions of the Award:
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Recipients of the award must have received an Un-Conditional Offer to join our Structured PhD Programme and must not have commenced their studies.
Postgraduate Research Doctorate Awards cannot continue beyond a fourth year on the full-time research doctorate register and 6 years across the part-time research doctorate register.
Applicants must be available to commence their studies in September 2026. It is not possible for a student to defer acceptance of this award should they be successful. In such cases where the student has won the award but cannot commence in September 2026, the award will be offered to the next highest placed applicant.
If a student is invited for interview, they must submit their evidence of CORU registration at least 10 days before the scheduled interview. If this information is not received, the interview will be cancelled and not re-scheduled.
Continuation on the research register is dependent on evidence of satisfactory annual progress and successful completion of the confirmation process at 18 months [or equivalent for part time students] after first registration.
Both the doctorate researcher and supervisor will agree to participate in the pilot rollout of Trinity’s Supervisor: Research Student Agreement.
Decisions on allocation of the award rests with the School.
3. Application Process:
The closing date for applications is Friday 1st May 2026. To apply, please submit the following documentation to Michelle Moore, moorem11@tcd.ie, on or before the closing date:
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Up to Date Curriculum Vitae
AND
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2000-word Research Proposal
AND
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Evidence of social work registration with CORU – Evidence of registration must be enclosed with the student’s application.
OR
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Evidence of eligibility to apply to CORU for social work registration and evidence of having an application in progress.
NOTE (1): If a student is invited for interview, they will be requested to submit evidence of full registration to CORU at least 10 days before the scheduled interview. If this information is not received, the interview will be cancelled and not re-scheduled.
NOTE (2): Applicants who meet the criteria for the award will be invited for an online interview in mid-June. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their interview and application by end of June 2026.