Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to download Frequently Asked Questions Brochure (in PDF format)
Click on one of the questions below to view the answer.
- What’s the difference between a taught and a research masters.
- What’s the difference between a research masters and a PhD.
- What are the fees for the various programmes on offer?
- What funding is available?
- I’m a non-EU Student.Is there a fee waiver scheme in place?
- Do local authorities provide grants towards postgraduate degrees?
- I’d like to do a research degree but I haven’t a research proposal.Can I still apply?
- Can I be jointly supervised?
- Can I transfer from a research masters to a PhD?
- Can I study abroad during my PhD/MSc?
- How is a research degree assessed?
- Will I be required to give tutorials as part of my research degree?
- Can I study for a research masters of doctorate part-time?
- What’s the difference between a Higher Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, MBS, MBA, EMBA, MComm, MEconSc, MSc, DBA, PhD?
- What are the progression routes between degree programmes?
- What are the residency requirements for part-time study?
- What courses will I be taking as part of my degree?
- Can I read for a postgraduate degree in business if I haven’t an undergraduate degree in business?
- Where can I get further information?
- What is PAC?
- Is there a student society for postgraduate students?
- How do I apply?
- What postgraduate programmes are on offer within the College of Business and Law?
1. What’s the difference between a taught and a research masters.
A Master's Degree may be obtained in one of two main modes namely by:
(a) Research only, or by
(b) Coursework, Examination and Dissertation/Minor Thesis (Taught Masters).
A candidate who wishes to obtain a Master's degree by research must pursue a programme of supervised research for at least the equivalent of one year full-time from the date of first registration for the programme. They must prepare and submit a masters thesis of original work (approx 40,000 words) in consultation with the supervisor(s) and the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee upon the work done during such programme which will be assessed by Intern and Extern Examiners. The candidate may also be required to pass an examination on the subject matter of the thesis.For further information on undertaking a masters by research click here
A candidate who wishes to obtain a Taught Master's must: (i) pursue a prescribed postgraduate programme for at least the equivalent of one year full-time from the date of first registration for the programme; (ii) must pass an examination on the programme and reach a required standard; and (iii) must submit a dissertation/minor thesis or a research project. The candidate may also be required to pass an examination on the subject matter of the dissertation/minor thesis. The candidate's dissertation/minor thesis for the degree is also prepared under the direction of the Supervisor.
The level of qualification obtained for undertaking a taught or research masters is the same (see National Framework of Qualifications ).
For further information on the difference between a taught and a research Masters click here
For further information on the range of Taught Masters and Masters by Research available in the College of Business and Law click here
2. What’s the difference between a research masters and a PhD.
A research masters normally takes one to two years, full-time or two to four years part-time.A PhD normally takes at least three years full-time or six years part-time.Click here for the UCC Code of Practice for PhD Supervision.
3. What are the fees for the various programmes on offer?
For details of the fees for the various programmes on offer in the College of Business and Law click here . If you wish to assess the true costs of undertaking postgraduate study at UCC click here
There are a number of funding options available to students who wish to study for a research masters or a PhD. To explore these sources of funding click here
According to a recent survey of postgraduate students in UCC, most students are happy with the sources of funding.For more information click here.
5. I’m a non-EU Student.Is there a fee waiver scheme in place?
Yes.Further information is available by clicking here
6. Do local authorities provide grants towards postgraduate degrees?
If you are over 23 on the first of January prior to your entry to the postgraduate course of you choice, and you have been living away from your parents on the 1stof October in the previous tax year, then you may be entitled to a local authority grant, which will pay your fees up to a maximum value of €5,600 per annum. The criteria for the awarding of a grant are primarily based on residence and on income. If your income from the previous tax year was below €36,400 then you would be entitled to the full grant. This also requires a student to have been ordinarily resident in a local authorities area on the 1stof October previous, and to have been in the EU for three of the previous five years. For more information on the criteria for the awarding of a grant click here.
7. I’d like to do a research degree but I haven’t a research proposal.Can I still apply?
Yes.In many cases students only develop a full research proposal as part of their research programme.However, your application will be enhanced if you can demonstrate that you have a good understanding of what a research project involves, and this is an important function of a research proposal.Academic research projects often do not follow a linear path, so your initial research proposal may not always be a good indicator of the form or content of your dissertation.
8. Can I be jointly supervised?
Yes, if the supervisors and the respective department heads agree.
9. Can I transfer from a research masters to a PhD?
Yes, if this is agreed by the Department and Faculty.
10. Can I study abroad during my PhD/MSc?
Yes, if approved by your supervisor and Head of Department.Further details on exchange programmes are available from the International Education Office (see under ‘outgoing students’ on their website).
11. How is a research degree assessed?
Typically, a research masters is examined solely on a dissertation (c. 40,000 words) which documents an individual piece of scholarly research.A PhD is typically 80,000 words in length.
12. Will I be required to give tutorials as part of my research degree?
Full-time postgraduate students, in particular those engaged in research projects, provide a very valuable resource for teaching within higher education institutions. Students are not obliged to give tutorials but it is viewed by many as a crucial part of the training and development of postgraduate students engaged in research.It provides you with grounding in the research process and develops valuable skills which may be useful in furthering your career either within academia or in the private sector.Generally, there is a limit of 150-200 hours of tutoring or demonstrating per year (in UCC), and students should not exceed these limits. It also provides you with a means to earn money and to cover your fees. You should talk to your supervisor or any prospective supervisor or department about this, as it constitutes one of the largest sources of funding for postgraduate study in Ireland. Click here for further details.
13. Can I study for a research masters of doctorate part-time?
Yes.
14. What’s the difference between a Higher Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, MBS, MBA, EMBA, MComm, MEconSc, MSc, DBA, PhD?
A Higher Diploma is a Level 8 qualification within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) 10-level structure. Our Higher Diplomas are designed for non-business graduates who wish to develop their business knowledge and skills.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Economics (our only Postgraduate Diploma) is a Level 9 qualification on the NFQ framework is designed for graduates who have taken some Economics courses in their primary degree.
The Masters in Business Studies (MBS) degree is a Level 9 qualification on the NFQ framework. These are specialist Masters degrees designed to give you professional skills and knowledge about a particular area of business.These programmes are aimed at recent business graduates and practitioners.
The MBA (Masters of Business Administration) is a general business degree aimed at graduates with some previous work experience.Most MBAs are full-time.The Faculty of Commerce does not have a full-time MBA but offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) which is aimed at practicising managers with significant managerial experience.This is a part-time programme only.
The MComm is a research degree (Level 9 qualification) aimed at experienced practitioners working in industry.The degree normally takes 24 months for part-time students.Typically,an MComm student researches a topic that is grounded in his or her work environment.
The MSc degree (a Level 9 qualification) is a research degree aimed at suitably qualified business graduates. MSc students carry out scholarly study of a particular aspect of business.The degree may be pursued in any of the following subjects: Accounting; Economics; Finance; Food Economics; Government; Business Information Systems; Management or Marketing. Research degrees are based on a distinctive learning model that will develop your analytical, creative and communication skills.
The DBA (Business Economics) is a “Practitioner Doctorate” and is a Level 10 qualification on the NFQ framework.It is a four-year part-time programme aimed at practitioners with significant professional experience and a relevant Masters qualification. The programme focuses on the development and application of advanced conceptual frameworks and skills required by senior executives within the context of strategic and organisational decision-making.
The PhD degree is a Level 10 qualification on the NFQ framework and is available to full-time and part-time students. The PhD provides an opportunity to do advanced, scholarly research on a particular aspect of business.
15. What are the progression routes between degree programmes?
Broadly speaking, the National Qualifications Framework maps out notional progression routes in their 10-level framework.Thus, one should typically have a level 8 qualification before proceeding to level 9.However, there are many situations where one may be accepted into a programme while not having a qualification at the immediately lower level.Please consult programme entry requirements in the College Calendar.
16. What are the residency requirements for part-time study?
UCC does not currently impose residency requirements for part-time study.
17. What courses will I be taking as part of my degree?
The courses (modules) that you will be required to take are set out in the College Calendar. Further detail on the content of individual modules is available in the Book of Modules (though please note that not all postgraduate programmes are ‘modularised’ yet).
18. Can I read for a postgraduate degree in business if I haven’t an undergraduate degree in business?
In many cases you can.Please consult the programme entry requirements in the College Calendar.
19. Where can I get further information?
In most cases, you should contact the Department that administers the programme in the first instance.The Commerce Faculty will provide whatever direction it can to help you.
University College Cork has now moved to an on-line postgraduate application system (PAC) for EU applicants. EU Applicants for all postgraduate programmes must apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre in Galway (PAC) at http://www.pac.ie/. There are separate online application forms for Taught (by coursework) and Research postgraduate programmes. In any one year, you may not present more than ONE online TAUGHT Postgraduate Studies Application AND/OR ONE online RESEARCH Postgraduate Studies application to UCC’s postgraduate programmes. For more information on the application process through PAC click here.
21. Is there a student society for postgraduate students?
Yes, click here .
EU students must apply on-line through the PAC system (see question 21) at http://www.pac.ie The International Education Office handles non-EU applications and you can obtain an application form from this office by emailing InternationalPostGrad@ucc.ie.
23. What postgraduate programmes are on offer within the College of Business and Law?
For a detailed list of the various postgraduate programmes on offer in UCC visit the particular departmental website;
Centre for Co-operative Studies
Faculty of Commerce (Home Page)