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UCC Postgraduate courses

PhD in Digital Arts & Humanities

Course Fact File
CodeCKH88
Duration4 Years
QualificationsPhD
NFQ LevelLevel 10
Closing DateApplications for PhD courses are accepted throughout the year.
Non-EU Closing DateApplications for PhD courses are accepted throughout the year.
Credits75
Start Date 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October.

Course Outline

The PhD (Digital Arts and Humanities) (DAH) is a full-time inter-disciplinary thematic structured PhD programme running over 48 months from the date of first registration for the programme. This programme is also available on a part-time basis. Full-time and part-time students will complete the taught modules over the same time-frame.

Students will choose to enter the programme within either the Arts or the Humanities strands. Students registered at UCC are required to complete 75 credits of taught core, training and career development modules over the course of the programme.

 

Modules

Year 1 (25 credits)

Core Modules (10 credits)

  • DH6103 Digital Humanities Institute (5 credits)
    Intensive seminar on theoretical/methodological practices

  • DH6104 Conceptual Introduction to Digital Arts & Humanities (5 credits)
    Theoretical foundations

Generic Training (5 credits)
Choose one:

  • PG6010 Contemporary Practices in Publishing and Editing (5 credits)

  • PG7004 Masterclass: Contemporary Theoretical Paradigms in the Humanities (5 credits)

Strand Specialisation (10 credits)
Select Arts or Humanities track:

Arts Strand:

  • DH6105 History and Theory of Digital Arts (5 credits)

  • Plus 5 credits from Digital Art Practicum:

    • DH6106 Teaching and Learning in Digital Humanities (5 credits)

    • DH6107 Models, Simulations and Games (5 credits)
    • CS6102 Graphics for Interactive Media (5 credits)

    • CS6103 Audio and Sound Engineering (5 credits)
    • CS6117 Audio Processing (5 credits)

    • CS6104 Digital Video Capture and Packaging (5 credits)

Humanities Strand:

  • DH6110 Humanities & New Technologies (5)

  • Plus 5 credits from Digital Humanities Practicum:

    • PG6011 Digital Skills for Research Postgraduates in the Humanities and Social Sciences (5 credits)

    • DH6106 Teaching and Learning in Digital Humanities (5 credits)

    • DH6107 Models, Simulations and Games (5 credits)
    • CS6102 Graphics for Interactive Media (5 credits)

    • CS6103 Audio and Sound Engineering (5 credits)
    • CS6117 Audio Processing (5 credits)

    • CS6104 Digital Video Capture and Packaging (5 credits)

Year 2 (20 credits)

Core Modules (10 credits)

  • DH7009 Digital Humanities Institute (5 credits)

  • DH7010 Digital Arts & Humanities Research Colloquium (5 credits)

Generic Training (5 credits)
Options include:

  • PG7002 for end-stage PhD Students in Humanities and Social Sciences (5 credits)

  • PG6010 Contemporary Practices in Publishing and Editing (5 credits)

  • PG7004 Masterclass: Contemporary Theoretical Paradigms in the Humanities (5 credits)

Strand Continuation (10 credits)
Continue chosen strand and choose 2 Digital Humanities Practicum modules.

Year 3 (25 credits)

Core Modules (15 credits)

  • DH7011 Digital Humanities Institute (5 credits)

  • DH7012 Industrial/Research Institute Placement (10 credits)
    With academic/cultural/industry partners

Strand Completion (10 credits)

  • DH7014 Research Colloquium (5 credits)

  • Continue chosen strand and choose 1 Digital Humanities Practicum module (5 credits)

Year 4 (5 credits + Thesis)

  • DH7013 Digital Humanities Institute (5 credits)

  • Thesis Submission (~80,000 words)

 

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

This is a four-year structured PhD comprising 75 credits of taught core, training and career development modules over the course of the programme and an 80,000 word thesis.

  • In Year 1, UCC students will complete 25 credits of coursework, and must have made good progress on developing their thesis topic, and have had their research proposal and preliminary thesis work approved by the DAH board.
  • In Year 2, UCC students will complete 20 credits of coursework, and must have made good progress on developing their thesis topic, and have had their research proposal and preliminary thesis work approved by the DAH board.
  • In Year 3, UCC students will complete 25 credits of coursework, including a job placement and career development module, and must have made good progress on developing their thesis topic, and have had their research proposal and preliminary thesis work approved by the DAH board.
  • In Year 4, UCC students will complete 5 credits of coursework, and finish and submit the 80,000 word thesis.

Apart from the possibility of having co-supervisors (being inter-disciplinary) and the possibility of having doctoral advisors off campus (being an inter-university programme with partner institutions), UCC students undertaking DAH will in all other respects operate under the normal requirements governing the PhD degree at UCC.

Why Choose This Course

Digital Humanities at UCC provides opportunities for students to explore how computer and media technologies can be applied to research and practice in the arts and humanities. Students and scholars working in this domain typically have an interest in how digital technologies can be applied in the exploration and betterment of culture and society.

Skills and Careers Information

Our graduates, developed in a student-led learning environment, are developed to be researchers and critical thinkers with expertise in computing as well as the arts and humanities. They are coders and developers as well as excellent writers, communicators, and critical thinkers.

A qualification in digital humanities provides students with the following skills and attributes:

  • An ability to apply critical, theoretical, and technological approaches to cultural materials and societal challenges;
  • An understanding of how to use complex cultural data and materials in digital analysis;
  • Deep knowledge and appreciation of the role of digital technologies in culture and society;
  • Familiarity with a wide range of communicative modes across a range of media;
  • Extensive experience with computers and information technology.

Requirements

Potential applicants must first identify and approach possible supervisors and are advised to contact relevant staff within the Department of Digital Humanities whose research might align with the project they are seeking to propose.

To be eligible for consideration for entry to a programme of study and research for the Degree of PhD, a candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary degree, or other such other evidence under the University's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning for Admission to Research Degrees.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Applications for PhD courses are accepted throughout the year.

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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