UCC School of Law hosts Ireland’s most successful graduate research programme in Law. Researchers are provided with an unparalleled experience within a well-established and vibrant community of over 40 graduate researchers, with easy access to experienced supervisors who are internationally recognised experts in their fields and a suite of tailored supports, facilities and activities.

In September 2021, nine of our PhD candidates recorded a special podcast episode showcasing their research. The breadth of scholarship across so many legal areas – from family law to company law, gambling regulation to the environment – is indicative of the high-quality research undertaken in the School.

You can listen to this podcast episode below:

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for a postgraduate research degree or a PhD, please

1. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Prof Femi Amao (famao@ucc.ie) or your prospective supervisor to discuss a potential research project.
2. Fill out the Law School Research Degree Application Form available to download here: UCC School of Law Research Programme Application Form  You will need to provide details of your proposed project, as well as its methodology and a research plan.
3. Apply through UCC's application system and submit your completed Law School Research Degree Application Form.

For further details and selection criteria, see Study Research | University College Cork (ucc.ie) 

Scholarships

Currently open for applications: 

• Fully Funded PhD School of Law PhD Scholarship 2025-26

The School of Law at University College Cork invites applications for a PhD scholarship (fully funded plus €25,000 stipend, tenable for up to four years).  

The closing date for applications is on or before 5p.m. (Irish time) Friday, 20 June 2025.  The Scholarship is open to candidates commencing their full-time studies in September 2025 or currently in the first year of their full-time PhD studies at UCC. 

Click the following link for full details: PhD Scholarship with Application Form

• Matheson Scholarship

The School of Law at University College Cork invites applications for a PhD position, as part of the UCC -Matheson Innovation Partnership. Applications must be received by 5pm on 20 June 2025, with the candidate expected to commence in the September 2025 intake, although there may be some flexibility with a start date.

The scholarship covers fees (fully funded) and a stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr Nessa Lynch, Matheson Lecturer in Law, Innovation and Technology with co-supervision from the Department of Business Information Systems within Cork University Business School.

Click the following link for full details: Matheson Scholarship with Application Form

Many of our graduates are in receipt of prestigious scholarship awards. As well as internal funding opportunities, the School supports graduate researchers in applying to the Irish Research Council (IRC) for fully-funded research scholarships. The IRC normally has a closing date for these applications in November of each year. If you are interested in applying for IRC funding ahead of formally registering as a graduate researcher at UCC, please contact Dr Jonathan McCarthy, Deputy Director of Graduate Studies, jonathan.mccarthy@ucc.ie to discuss your options. 

Contact Information

• Administrative queries (e.g. queries about the application form, fees etc): lawpostgrad@ucc.ie.
• Academic queries (e.g. about your proposed research idea, potential supervision etc): Dr Jonathan McCarthy, Deputy Director of Graduate Studies, jonathan.mccarthy@ucc.ie
• List of potential supervisors: People