Useful Links to Policies & Procedures for Postgraduate Students

UCC Graduate Studies Policy Portal 

UCC Policy on the Supervision of Research Students

This document outlines the guiding principles of research supervision in UCC and provides details of definitions, roles and responsibilities of the Student, Supervisory Team and Unit.

Learning Plan 

The Research Learning Plan must be drafted and agreed between the Student and the Supervisory Team within the first three months of the programme and is updated following each Research Progress Review. This Research Learning Plan must include, at a minimum, details on the frequency of meetings (minimum of 10 recorded meetings per annum for full time students and 5 for part-time), expectations, objectives and related timelines, dates of annual progress reviews, module requirements.

The Research Learning Plan is completed on Graduate Education Manager (GEM). Click here for GEM support guides (login with UCC credentials required). 

Annual Progress Review

All postgraduate research students registered for more than 1 year must undergo an annual Progress Review. This review focuses on evidence of progress to date and plans for the next academic year.

Annual Progress Review

English Language Requirements

All postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Postgraduate English Language Entry Requirements

Procedures for the Submission and Examination of Theses for Doctoratus Philosophiae (PhD).

These regulations detail the roles of candidates, examiners and the independent chair to understand their contributions to, and roles in, the examination and the general procedures operated by the University.

Procedures for Submission and Examination of Theses for Practitioner Degrees

These regulations detail the roles of candidates, examiners and the independent chair to understand their contributions to, and roles in, the examination and the general procedures operated by the University.

Procedures for Submission and Examination of Theses for Doctoratus in Medicina (MD)

These regulations detail the roles of candidates, examiners and the independent chair to understand their contributions to, and roles in, the examination and the general procedures operated by the University.

Procedures for the Submission and Examination of Theses for Research Master Degree

These regulations detail the roles of candidates and examiners to understand their contributions to, and roles in, the examination and the general procedures operated by the University.

How to resolve difficulties as a postgraduate research student

This policy governs the resolution of any difficulties arising during the course of study for a postgraduate research degree.

Changes to research registration are managed through Graduate Education Manager (GEM). The following changes to research registration may be requested: 

1. Change of Start Date  
2. Changes/Additions to Supervisory Team
3. Leave of Absence 
4. Extension of Approval (for PhD students who do not complete within 6 years from the approved start date (not COVID-19 related)) 
5. Change of Mode of Attendance (Full-Time/Part-Time)
6. Major Change of Thesis Title  
7. Change of Approved Number of Years of Study
8. Change/Additional of Module (Thematic PhD only)
9. Recommencement of Programme 
10. Change of Programme and/or Research Subject Area:

• Transfer from MPhil/Med/MSocSc to PhD
• Transfer from Masters by Research to PhD
• Transfer from PhD Track to PhD
• Transfer from MD to PhD
• Transfer from PhD to Masters by Research

 Click here for GEM support guides (login with UCC credentials required).