PhD

Program Overview

The UCD PhD in Creative Writing is a 3-4 year program that combines the creation of a major work of writing (e.g., novel, poetry collection) with a critical commentary that contextualizes the writing. The program emphasizes practice-based research, with the critical commentary demonstrating an understanding of the writing process. The thesis typically comprises 70% creative work and 30% commentary.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD program in Creative Writing at UCD School of English Drama Film is a 3-4 year full-time program that allows students to engage in individual research under the supervision of a member of academic staff. The program culminates in a thesis that combines creative work with a critical commentary. The program emphasizes practice-based research, meaning students develop their creative practice through writing a novel, a collection of short stories, a poetry collection, or another major piece of writing. Alongside the creative work, students must produce a critical commentary that contextualizes their writing and demonstrates an understanding of the writing process. The final composition of the submitted thesis is negotiated between the supervisor and the candidate to ensure it meets the requirements of doctoral study. The thesis typically comprises 70% creative work and 30% commentary.

Other:

• The creative writing PhD has similar characteristics to other doctorates in terms of breadth, depth, and originality.
• It differs from a literary studies PhD in the composition of the thesis and research methods.
• The creative writing PhD typically has two components: a creative element (e.g., a collection of poetry, prose fiction, creative non-fiction) and a critical element (e.g., critical work on relevant literature, theoretical inquiry, critical reflection on the writing process).
• Both components are part of the research processes of the doctoral program.
• UCD has a norm of 70% creative work and 30% critical work for the creative writing PhD, but this can vary.
• Candidates are encouraged to think about their critical work in parallel with their creative practice.
• The critical element needs to be at doctoral level, but candidates cannot reproduce the volume of critical research in a literary studies PhD.
• Clear and well-constructed research questions can help provide boundaries and limitations.
• The focus is on how such work is used in the creative practice.
• The critical part of the thesis does not have to reflect all aspects considered but should focus on one or two most relevant to the research questions.