DCU Institute of Education
DCU Institute of Education
A courtyard of a red brick building.

DCU Institute of Education announces PhD scholarships marking 150 years of teacher education at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra

DCU St Patricks Campus
Total of six PhD scholarships to be offered on a full and part-time basis

DCU Institute of Education has launched six new PhD scholarships to mark the 150th anniversary of teacher education at St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra. The campus first opened its doors to student teachers in 1875 and is today home to the DCU Institute of Education, a dynamic faculty which brings together more than 4,000 undergraduate, graduate and research students, focused on all sectors of the education system in Ireland and beyond.

The PhD scholarships are being offered in the field of teacher education with three offered on a full-time basis and three offered on a part-time basis. Applicants are invited from teachers in all areas of the education system including early childhood practitioners, academic staff of further and higher education, educators working in the adult and community sectors as well as professionals working in primary and second-level schools. 

The scholarships reflect the Institute of Education’s commitment to DCU’s stated ambition to grow the DCU doctoral community and to nurture the next generation of researchers. 

Successful candidates will enjoy a range of supports within the University and the Institute of Education including graduate training and interaction with research students and staff members. In addition, they will receive mentorship by members of a supervisory panel to develop their capacities to teach at third level, particularly in the context of education.

Among the themes that the Institute is interested in are

  • Teacher Education in Universities

  • The Professional Identity of Teacher Educators

  • Teaching/Teachers in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

  • Teacher Education for an Inclusive System

  • Play in Education

  • Policy and Teacher Education

  • Teacher Education for Faith-Based Schools

  • Teacher Education for Multi-Denominational Schools

  • Teacher Education and Sustainable Futures

Details on how to apply are outlined below.

 

Students outside the Cregan Library in St Pats
Students on DCU's St Patrick's campus Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Drumcondra 150 Scholarships

Full-time scholarships will include:

  • PhD (EU) fees for four years
  • An annual tax-free stipend rate of €25,000 p.a.
  • €2,000 towards expenses such as conference attendance or equipment purchase

Part-time scholarships will include:

  • PhD (EU) fees for six years
  • €1,000 towards expenses such as conference attendance or equipment purchase 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should have:

  • a sound working knowledge of key issues in the field of teacher education;

  • an undergraduate and master’s degree (or very close to completion) in the field of education, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body;

  • evidence of a high standard of critical research and academic writing skills;

  • high level of competence in written and oral communication through English;

  • the ability to work independently and collaboratively in meeting demanding research goals.

It should also be noted that awards are contingent on the applicant meeting all the requirements for admission to doctoral studies at DCU (PGR eligibility criteria for applicants).

How to Apply

Please email the following documents to ioe-research-office@dcu.ie 

The closing date for receipt of application documentation is 5pm (Irish time) on Friday 31 October 2025. 

All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed. Interviews will take place in November or December 2025.

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Majella McSharry, Chair of Postgraduate Studies by Research.

The Dean of the Institute of Education Prof Anne Looney introduces the scholarships below.