PhD in European Law and Governance

Program Overview

The PhD in European Law and Governance (ELG) from UCD is a multidisciplinary program that delves into the structures and dynamics of European governance. Students develop expertise in a specific substantive area and acquire research skills through coursework, mentorship, and thesis writing. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in law, policy analysis, and academia, with support from the program's research funding, career resources, and association with the UCD Dublin European Institute.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in European Law and Governance (ELG) is designed for students who want to develop multidisciplinary expertise on the structures and dynamics of European governance. This complex and increasingly important field of study encompasses relations between the member states and institutions of the European Union, Council of Europe and other European bodies, processes of treaty negotiation and supranational law-making, issues of political economy, citizenship and human rights, foreign policy, and environmental protection, and controversies related to sovereignty and democratic legitimacy, compliance and enforcement, and lobbying and social mobilisation, among many others.

Outline:

The ELG programme is offered jointly by the UCD School of Law and the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe), both of which have large, internationally-renowned academic staffs in this area. The programme includes (1) substantive coursework in both of the sponsoring schools, (2) training in research methods, (3) regular contact with a supervisor from either of the sponsoring schools and a Research Studies Panel of three staff including at least one from each sponsoring school, and (4) the writing of a doctoral thesis based on original research. Students in the programme register to the school where their supervisor is located. They are also associated during their studies with the UCD Dublin European Institute, Ireland’s largest and oldest university research centre on European integration and governance. In addition to writing a research thesis, ELG students must complete 40 credits of taught coursework. The content of this requirement differ slightly (see below) depending on whether they are registered through Law or SPIRe. All ELG students also have the option of pursuing additional coursework in Law, SPIRe or other Schools (such as Business, Economics, Sociology, etc.) to deepen their substantive knowledge and/or methodological skills. The core seminars for students who enroll in the ELG programme through SPIRe are:

• POL 50020 European and International Governance
• LAW 41040 Law and Governance of the EU
• POL 50030 Research Design
• GSBL 50050 Methods for Qualitative Research
In addition, it is strongly advised that SPIRe’s ELG students take the POL 50150 PhD Thesis Workshop in their 3rd year. The core seminars for students who enroll in the ELG programme through Law are:
• POL 41650 The Global Political Economy of Europe
• LAW 41040 Law and Governance of the EU
• LAW 50010 Advanced Research in Law
And any one of the following:
• POL 50030 Research Design
• GSBL 50050 Approaches & Techniques in Qualitative Research
• POL 50150 PhD Thesis Workshop

Careers:

With their sophisticated multidisciplinary understanding of European law and governance, expertise in a particular substantive area, and excellent research skills, graduates of this programme will be well-positioned to pursue careers in law, policy analysis and academia.

Other:

• The programme is offered jointly by the UCD School of Law and the UCD School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe).
• Students are associated with the UCD Dublin European Institute.
• Students can pursue additional coursework in other Schools.
• All law PhD students receive a desk in the Matheson Doctoral Studies Suite in the Law School and the School provides a PhD common room and a kitchen shared with staff.
• All law PhD students receive research support of €250 a year and are eligible to apply for competitive research support funds at School, College and University level in particular to present their work at conferences.
• Those who receive a Sutherland School of Law scholarship are required to undertake some teaching and support responsibilities (e.g.
to assist in conference organisation or to assist in mooting competitions) of not more than 6 hours per week. They are also required, where eligible, to apply after their first year of study for a prestigious Government of Ireland scholarship.
• All other law PhDs can also avail of paid teaching opportunities in the School mainly related to undergraduate tutorials.
• UCD has an excellent Careers Development Centre.
• Individual supervisors and the Programme Director work closely with Doctoral students on their career plans.
• UCD hold a number of graduate events throughout the year including a dedicated law fair at which at which many big law firms will be in attendance.
• The School of Law has a dedicated careers advisor on its Academic staff and a staff member from the careers office is in attendance at the School of Law on a number of occasions throughout the academic year.

EU - Full Time €7,130, Part Time 6,530. Non-EU - Full Time €13,730 Part Time €8,420