Business

A wide range of modules are available for selection on the programme, designed to enable you to develop your ability to undertake independent research at an advanced level.  Both Universal modules (designed to develop generic skills) and Project Path modules (designed to develop discipline-specific skills) are made available. You are required to complete 30 ECTS before submitting your doctoral thesis.

Universal PhD Modules available to research students

The following Universal Path Modules are provided to enable you to develop important generic skills.  Students must complete a minimum of 10 credits from these modules:
 

Project Path Modules available to research students

The following Project Path modules are designed to enable you to develop important discipline-specific skills.  Students must complete a minimum of 10 credits from these modules.

The entry requirement for registration on a PhD research degree is an Honours Bachelor degree (minimum level: Second Class Honours) in a field of study related to the subject matter of the PhD degree sought.

For applicants whose first language is not English, demonstrable competence in English, both spoken and written, is also required (e.g. 6.5 IELTS).  Please see SETU Waterford’s English Language Requirements for details.

How much are the fees for the PhD Programme? 

Postgraduate fees are payable annually and a listing of the current Postgraduate Fee schedule is available.

Aligned with our School’s aim of developing a deep understanding of important global, societal and economic issues, our current doctoral students are engaged in researching a wide range of topics. A summary of the research projects currently taking place is provided below.

Dr. Sinead Mellett:

My name is Sinead Mellett, I completed the PhD programme under the auspices of RIKON on the Waterford Campus, expertly supervised by Prof Felicity Kelliher and Prof Denis Harrington.

The programme was exceptional, it was well organised with tremendous research support and mentoring.

On graduating, I took up a post-doctoral position at NUI Galway working on an Interreg Atlantic Area project RiskAquaSoil. I am currently a scientific researcher in Athlone Institute of Technology working mainly on an Interreg Atlantic Area project Neptunus.

 

Dr. Noel Murray:

My research study examined the complex phenomena of strategically managing tourism destinations, as there is no one person/firm in charge. The findings provided insight into the key management capabilities required by specific actors, who play an essential role in managing the wide diversity of offerings in tourism destinations.  Working with and learning from research experts at RIKON, my PhD supervisors and the wider academic team here, had a ‘transformational’ impact on my development. I cannot speak highly enough of the time and effort invested in me by my supervisors, who at all times pushed me to excel. This ensured that I developed the research skills and critical insights necessary to progress my academic career. I feel extremely lucky to have completed my PhD here, as I know it has prepared me for a career in academia. I really enjoyed the PhD programme, which at times was particularly challenging, but was also extremely rewarding.

On completion of my PHD, I secured a role lecturing in the Department of Marketing & International Business, at Cork Institute of Technology (now Muster Technological University - MTU). After 2 years in this role, I was appointed Head of Department of Tourism & Hospitality at MTU.

 

Dr. Andrea McNamara:

Under the auspices of the AIB Centre for Finance and Business Research within the School of Business, I completed my PhD in the research area of small and medium sized firm financing in 2014. My supervisor was Prof. Sheila O Donohoe.

The PhD programme provided the platform to strengthen my knowledge and technical skills in the chosen research area whilst providing the support and encouragement to instill greater confidence. It also facilitated me in taking greater ownership of my own learning.

 Upon completion of the PhD, I worked as a post-doctoral researcher in National University of Ireland, Galway. Currently, I am working as a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance in SETU Carlow Campus.

 

 Dr David Pasley:

I completed my PhD in 2016 through the University’s AIB Centre for Finance and Business Research. My PhD thesis was entitled, “An investigation of inefficiencies in enterprise supports: A study of the Irish enterprise support system”.

I had exceptional supervisors, who achieved the right balance of challenge and support to guide me through the process. Beyond the critical supervisor-student relationship, there is a highly supportive culture among the entire faculty. This approach meant that I did not just have access to lecturers and researchers, but was part of a community who took a genuine interest in both my research and personal development and went above and beyond to support me. I was also able to tap into a global research community which provided opportunities to present my research in different countries and contexts and gain valuable feedback as I went through the process.

Since completing the PhD, I joined the civil service and work as an Assistant Principal in the area of police oversight.

 

Dr. Eileen Tan

You will laugh, you will cry, you will eat your heart out or tear your hair out while studying PhD, but rest assured that you will not be alone. Supports from the School of Business and its experienced faculty, research supervisors and research groups are always there.  Under the supervision of Drs. Anthony Foley, Mary T. Holden and Noel Murray (MTU) of the RIKON research group within the School of Business, I completed my PhD in late 2020. My research area focused on customer retention through social media marketing. During my years in the PhD programme, I grew from a novice to a researcher committed to high standard scholarship, which I credited to the auspices of my dedicated supervisors and the School of Business which provided me with an environment to grow both professionally and academically.

The application procedure for research degrees in SETU Waterford varies depending on whether you plan to pay fees and other costs yourself (“self-funded”) or whether you are applying for a position funded by a research grant awarded to a SETU Waterford staff member (“funded”). 

Funded Research Positions:

Opportunities for funded research projects leading to postgraduate awards are typically advertised through the media and on the SETU Waterford website.

All applications for admission to funded postgraduate research degrees at SETU Waterford are made via the submission of a completed application form submitted by email to the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Useful Guide

Self-Funded Research Positions:

The School also welcomes applications for self-funded research projects, i.e. those that are not, at the time of your initial interactions with SETU Waterford, funded by an external research funding body.  Typically, in this case, you may approach the School with your own concept for a research project, which you plan to self-fund for the duration of the project.

Applications for admission to self-funded research degrees at SETU Waterford are made through the Postgraduate Application Centre .  However, before you make an application for a self-funded PhD, you are requested to complete the pre-application steps below.

Pre-Application Steps for Self-Funded Research Positions

It is strongly recommended that preliminary discussions take place between the potential applicant, a prospective supervisor and the Programme Leader/Head of Department, before a formal application to join a research programme is made. This is to ensure that the School has the requisite expertise, capacity and authority to offer supervision to you. 

For help finding a prospective supervisor for a self-funded research position, please contact the PGR Research Programme Leader, Dr. Anne Sweeney , forwarding a brief research proposal and a full CV. 

Guidelines for Preparing a Research Proposal

To identify potential supervisors, you are requested to forward a brief research proposal to the Programme Leader,  Dr. Anne Sweeney. The proposal should set out precisely the nature of the study area, the objective of the research you plan to pursue, the research question(s) you seek to answer, an outline of the proposed methodology, and an assessment of the contribution the study would make.  This should be written in a formal academic style, with proper and appropriate academic citations and references, and should enable a potential supervisor to decide if the proposal is congruent with their current research interests.  As stated above, this should be accompanied by a full CV.

If a suitable supervisory team is identified at this stage, you will be advised to make an application for a self-funded research position through the Postgraduate Application Centre. If however, the School does not have the capacity to provide supervisors for your research project, you will be advised not to submit an application.

 Useful Guide

Enrolling on the Postgraduate Research Register

Once an application to join a research programme has been submitted and approved by the Head of Department, (and eligibility criteria is checked by Registry), you and your supervisory team will then submit a completed PG_A2 Form, to enable you to enrol on the postgraduate research register at SETU Waterford.  Once the PG_A2 Form is approved, you will be invited to register at SETU Waterford and the research programme commences.