PG Research - Modules on Structured PhD Register

Categories of Structured PhD Modules

PGR students can select from five module categories:

1. Modules Offered as Part of Taught Postgraduate Courses

• Belong to existing taught postgraduate courses.
• Captured in SITS by the Academic Registry via a new course proposal.
• Coded to the School owning the module as per the course proposal.

2. Research Skills Modules for PGR Groups

• Offered to groups of PGR students within a School or Discipline.
• Coded to the School.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.

3. Bespoke Modules for Individual PGR Students

• Tailored to individual students to address specific research skill gaps.
• Coded to the School registering the student.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• PhD supervisors input student results into SITS.

4. Modules Offered by Non-School Units (e.g., CAPSL, Library)

• Provided for students college-wide by non-School units (e.g., CAPSL, Library).
• Without School ownership, they belong to the “Dean’s Basket” and are coded to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• Module coordinators input student results into SITS. 

5. Modules Offered by External Bodies (e.g., CRDI, DUBCHEM, or Other HEIs)

• Delivered by external institutions in collaboration with a School or Discipline but without Trinity ownership.
• Without School ownership, they belong to the “Dean’s Basket” and are coded to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• Reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (a detailed memo from the external institution on Agenda B item) for Council approval.
• Approved by Council via GSC minutes for Academic Registry to code them in SITS.
• PhD supervisors input student results into SITS.

For further information on these types of modules, refer to the PhD Research Handbook or contact the Graduate Studies Office genadgso@tcd.ie.

For details pertaining to approval of Changes impacting Stand-alone Structured PhD Modules please refer to Appendix 1 (pages 4 to 5) of the Programme and Curriculum Design and Approval Policy.

For advise on submission to GSC, please contact the Secretary to the Graduate Studies Committee, Dr Ríonnagh Sheridan at rionnagh.sheridan@tcd.ie.