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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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The Office for International Relations co-ordinates the admission, administration and support for international students throughout the course of their studies at SETU Waterford.

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SETU Waterfordis recognised as the leading research performer in the institute of technology sector with research activities that are internationally benchmarked, strategic, and economically relevant. Find out about the amazing multi disciplinary research under way

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An induction event which acquaints the students with the research process is held twice annually normally in September/October and February. This event is organised by the Graduate Studies Office. The next Research Postgraduate Induction will take place on Thursday, 19 October 2023, in the Health Science Boardroom which is located in the the O’Connell Bianconi Building, Cork Road Campus, Waterford. The event will run from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. For further information please contact the Graduate Studies Office by email at [email protected]. Students who are unable to attend the annual induction are advised to email the Graduate Studies Office to arrange a personal induction.

The student is introduced to SETU Waterford's research regulations, research finances and information/library resources. The aim of induction is also to give students an overview of the research postgraduate process at SETU Waterford and an understanding of the principles and applications of ethics and health and safety issues. A typical induction programme will be as follows:

  • Research Ethos: What does a Postgraduate Research Degree involve?
  • Introduction to Research Plans and Professional Development Plans
  • Introduction to Ethics in Research
  • Postgraduate Research Regulations
  • Research Postgraduate Student Supports and Resources
  • Research Project Support – Funding, Finance etc
  • Student Support Services at SETU Waterford - Library and Computer Services

The GSO Induction Handbook can be downloaded via the link below:

Waterford Campus Research Postgraduate Set-Up Guide 2023

SETU Waterford delivers a suite of “Universal PhD Pathway” modules as part of its structured PhD programme. Development of these modules has been guided by the IUA PhD Skills statement and, as such, will cover topics including research skills and awareness, ethics and social understanding, communication skills, personal effectiveness and development, team-working and leadership, career management and entrepreneurship and innovation. The following is the suite of Universal PhD Path modules we offer:

  1. Introduction to Research Methodologies [5 ECTS] - this module will provide candidates with an understanding of research through exploration of research concepts, terminology and methodological approaches. This module is likely to be of most benefit to students at the start of their programme, given that it will equip them with knowledge that can be directly applied in the execution of their research plan.
  2. Research Integrity and Ethics [5 ECTS] - this module will introduce students to the principles underpinning standards of integrity in the performance of research. Given that the recent National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland recommends that all researchers take formal training in the principles of research integrity this will be a mandatory module, which ideally should be taken near the start of a student’s programme.
  3. Practical Pedagogy for Research Postgraduates [10 ECTS] - this module will provide students with the knowledge and competencies that will enable them to become effective student-centred facilitators of learning. It will be of particular benefit to students who wish to pursue a career in academia and to students who will engage in teaching or teaching-related duties during their time as a PhD student in SETU Waterford. For the latter cohort, in particular those funded through the SETU Waterford PhD Scholarship schemes, it would be expected that this module be taken at the start of their programme.
  4. Academic Writing for Research Postgraduates [5 ECTS] - this module will equip students with the knowledge, language and skills necessary for effective academic writing. Whilst it will be available to all PhD students, it may be of particular benefit to PhD students whose first language is not English. It is likely to be of most benefit to students at the start of their programme, given that it will equip them with knowledge that can be directly applied in the execution of their research plan.
  5. Research Communication [5 ECTS] - this module will give students an appreciation of the ways in which academic research impacts on society and the means of communication through which such impact can be maximised. The module is likely to be of most benefit to students in the middle or later phases of their programme when they are starting to generate initial research outputs and considering how best to communicate them.
  6. Statistics and Quantitative Data Analysis [5 ECTS] -this module will develop students’ competence in the application of modern techniques of quantitative data analysis. The module is likely to be of most benefit to students in the middle or later phases of their programme when they are starting to generate and analyse initial results of quantitative studies.
  7. Innovation and Entrepreneurship [5 ECTS] - this module will equip students with a toolkit of skills and capabilities to allow them to translate their research into meaningful economic impact. The module is likely to be of most benefit to students in the later phases of their programme who are considering the economic potential of intellectual property developed during the course of their PhD project. The module is based on a collaborative programme promoting the commercialisation of research outputs that was developed as a cooperation between the Technology Transfer Offices of SETU Waterford, SETU Carlow and Maynooth University.
  8. Research Planning and Project Management [5 ECTS] - this module will provide students with an understanding of project management theory in the context of research and will introduce them to a portfolio of relevant tools and techniques. The module is likely to be of most benefit to students in the later phases of their programme who wish to develop project management skills that will be applicable in future post-doctoral, academic, or industry/governmental/charity-based researcher professional roles.
  9. Power, Place and Knowledge Production [5 ECTS] - this module will assist students position their research within the wider context provided by their place of student, that is, Waterford city and the South-East of Ireland. The module is likely to be of most benefit to students in the earlier and middle phases of their programme as the insights gained will assist them in contextualising the outputs of their research programme as it evolves.

Please note: This suite of modules is primarily targeted towards structured PhD students. However, PhD students not taking part in the structured PhD and Masters by Research students will be able to participate in the modules, subject to availability. However, such students will not receive a formal confirmation of completion of the module.

All students registered on a structured PhD programme need to complete a number of PhD Project Path modules. All schools who successfully completed the application process for the structured PhD framework identified a number of modules that students in their school could access as PhD Project Path modules. These identified modules will be attached to the new structured PhD programme codes. Research Programme Boards can propose that new modules can be attached to the PhD programmes they oversee. To do so, the RPB chair should complete the PG_P form. As outlined in the form there are four types of modules:

  1. Postgraduate level modules already approved as part of a SETU Waterford programme.
  2. Advanced level modules already approved as part of a SETU Waterford programme. These can only be approved for specific PhD students with the reasons for their appropriateness being outlined by the RPB.
  3. New modules developed by the RPB. These will be approved in line with the single module approval process.
  4. Accredited modules delivered by external organisations.

Further information is available through the School Office, School Research Coordinators and Research Supervisors.