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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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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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Code
Multiple
Delivery
Blended
Level
9
Campus
Cork Road
Duration
2-4 years
Next Intake
Rolling intake
Application Status
Open
Fees
View Details
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The Masters by Research programme presents a unique opportunity to achieve a level 9 postgraduate qualification, pursuing your own research interests. Engaging in this programme, you will develop and execute a research project under the supervision of our highly qualified research supervisors. Working with your supervisory team, you will acquire a mastery of the principles and theories underlying your chosen research topic, and a thorough knowledge and appreciation of the relevant literature in your field. This will be achieved through a combination of research work and participation in a range of generic and discipline-specific training modules as required. Ultimately, your work will be assessed on the basis of a written dissertation which is examined by recognised researchers in the subject area.

The starting point for any research degree is finding an appropriate supervisory match. At the School of Business, we are well established in the area of postgraduate research supervision. Currently, we have approximately thirty research students engaging in research across a wide range of topics relating to business, and we welcome applications from prospective students wishing to pursue independent postgraduate research leading to a Master of Business degree.

For more information on our research expertise, visit the Research Centres/Groups in the School of Business

 

When does the Masters by Research Programme start and how long does it take to complete?

Our Masters by Research programme runs throughout the academic year. New research students are typically enrolled at either the beginning of September or the beginning of January. Students may enrol on either a full-time (FT) or part-time (PT) basis.  The minimum enrolment periods for each option are:

Mode

Duration

Full-time

Minimum 15 months (typical duration is 24 months)

Part-time

Minimum 30 months (typical duration is 48 months)

What does undertaking the Masters by Research Programme entail?

Undertaking the Masters by Research programme entails the following:

  • You will develop and execute a research project under the supervision of highly-qualified research leaders.
  • You will conduct original, independent research while acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the specialist area wherein your research is focussed.
  • Your research will culminate in a Masters by Research dissertation (approx. 45,000 words) which will be assessed by research experts in your field. 

The University currently offers a range of Universal (generic) and Project Path (discipline-specific) modules on the Structured PhD programme (see below). Subject to availability, students on the Masters by Research programme may request to attend these modules.  Note, there is no requirement for Masters by Research students to accumulate credits for module completion. 

 

Full Title

Credits

Module ID

Research Planning and Project Management

5

RESA-0183

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

5

ENTR-0038

Statistics and Quantitative Data Analysis

5

STAT-0055

Research Integrity and Ethics (mandatory)

5

RESA-0180

Introduction to Research Methodologies

5

RESA-0179

Research Communication

5

COMM-0078

Academic Writing for Research Postgraduates

5

RESA-0182

Practical Pedagogy for Research Postgraduates

10

RESA-0181

Power, Place and Knowledge Production

5

PROD-0019

 

The following Project Path modules are designed to enable you to develop important discipline-specific skills. 

Full Title

Credits

Module ID

Professional Skills Development 1

5

PROF-0044

Qualitative Data Analysis

5

DATA-0007

Business Theory Development and Application 1

5

BUSI-0307

Research Philosophy

5

RESA-0125

Reputation Management

5

MARK-0011

Strategic Marketing Planning

5

MARK-0200

Econometrics

5

ECOB-0018

Corporate Financial Interpretation

5

ACCB-0022

Innovation Management and Design

5

BUSI-0322

Knowledge Management

5

MGTB-0031

Contemporary Issues in HRM

5

HRMB-0106

Strategic International HRM

5

HRMB-0107

Directed Independent Learning

5

A28801

External Advanced Research Learning

5

A28802

The entry requirement for registration on a postgraduate 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 Masters by Research Programme?

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

Tara Fennelly:

I am currently undertaking the full-time Masters of Business (by Research), under the supervision of John Maher and Dr Rosemarie Kelly. My research focuses on “Irish women’s planning for retirement income, aged 20-40.” It is co-funded by the University & Irish Life Assurance and carried out as part of the AIB Centre for Finance and Business Research.
The aim of the research is to identify and frame systemically the key factors in the decision-making process undertaken by young Irish women in relation to retirement planning. This will be undertaken by engagement with focus groups involving women at different income levels from larger and smaller population centres. Additionally, I will conduct in-depth interviews with specialists and key stakeholders in the domain. The study will provide evidence on the relativity and priority of the socio-demographic factors influencing women’s behaviour toward retirement planning.  The knowledge and understanding arising from the findings of this study will inform Irish public policy and promote further collaboration and research in a European context.

How to Apply

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 here.

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.

Contact

Course Leader
Anne Sweeney
Dr. Anne Sweeney
BBS, MBS, PhD, MCIPD - Lecturer in Management
Tel: 51845613 [email protected]

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