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 MA programme in Economics/Finance or MSc in Economics and Financial Risk Analysis in Maynooth University, often (but not always) the student may have to follow one of our taught MA/MSc programmes in the first year of the PhD programme. Please see the following link for information on our taught MA/MSc programmes:
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics-finance-and-accounting
For the students who will follow the MA/MSc programme in their first year of their PhD studies: The first year hurdles to qualify to continue to the PhD programme are described in the above link to the MA/MSc programmes. 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 MA students submit their MA 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 MA or the MSc programme, the student can receive the MLitt degree (upon successful defence of the MLitt thesis).
For the students with an MA/MSc degree in Economics/Finance from Maynooth University: Below you can find the requirements for the course of study of a student who has already gone through our formal MA or MSc training.
Year 1
1. Present an original piece of research to the members of the Department of Economics, Finance & Accounting and fellow PhD students by the beginning of
June. The student will be assessed on the basis of the paper and the presentation thereof. The student will have until the end of July to achieve a good progress evaluation by the Head of 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 need to 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 generic skills module (EC/FN805) with a Pass. Students must take this module in every year of the PhD Programme.
5. Receive a “pass” from EC890 or FN890.
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 generic skills module (EC805 or FN805) with a “pass”.
3. Submit and present a PhD proposal to committee by 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 end of May/beginning of June. 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, Finance & Accounting, fellow PhD students, and his/her committee by end of May/beginning of June. 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 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 generic skills module (EC805 or FN805) with a “pass”.
2. Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics, Finance & Accounting, fellow PhD students, and his/her committee by June. 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 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 4
1. Complete the generic skills module (EC805 or FN805) with a Pass.
2. Present further dissertation research to the members of the Department of Economics, Finance & Accounting, fellow PhD students, and his/her committee by June. Students are required to have a ‘job-talk’ presentation to the department (60–90 min) before they can graduate. At this point the thesis should be complete or in the 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/FN890 seminars even if no credit is awarded for them after the initial year. Students should contact their supervisors when they cannot attend.
Duration: 4 years Full-time, 6 years Part-time
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.
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Year 1
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The PhD programme in Economics at Maynooth University is built on the foundation developed in the MSc programme. While this programme provides the basic skills and technical knowledge base via taught courses and a directed thesis, the PhD programme builds on this to further students’ skills and knowledge to enable them to do world class research. The four-year programme of study includes, in the first and possibly subsequent years, reading courses, taught courses, general skills seminars and independent research, while the second, third and the fourth years of the programme are dedicated primarily to general skills development and independent research. To remain at good progress the PhD candidate must write and present an original piece of research in each year of the programme and this research must meet the approval of his/her committee. Students who do not perform at the level required by the PhD programme during their studies may be eligible for an MLitt degree with a satisfactory MLitt thesis. Part-Time Option The PhD programme may be either on a part-time or on a full-time basis. Prospective candidates should, however, bear in mind that part-time PhD programme applicants are not eligible for scholarship funding. Scholarship Funding Opportunities The Economics Department at Maynooth University offers scholarships for a limited number of incoming full-time PhD students. Please see the following link https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics/graduate-teaching-scholarship-2022 Closing date Rolling Recruitment Commences September (or other agreed time)
Notes:
- All students should consult with their supervisor before registering for modules. This is especially important in the first year of your research studies as not all modules are suitable for Year 1 students.
- Modules with a FM or GST prefix are managed by the Research Development Office. Please consult with your supervisor before registering for these modules.
- Students who wish to register for FM and GST modules in semester 2 must contact the MU Research Skills Development Programme rsdp@mu.ie.
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EC900
- ECONOMICS
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Credits: n/a
Not compulsory: 
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PH.D. DEGREE ARTS
- ECONOMICS/FINANCE
