Postgraduate
Student Guide
RCSI DEVELOPING HEALTHCARE LEADERS W
HO MAKE
A DIFFERENCE WORLDWIDE
1
RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
2
CONTENTS
Welcome
4
About Our Courses
5
PhD
6
MD
9
MSc by Research
12
MCh by Research
14
How to Apply
16
Higher Degrees by Research
When to register
Taught postgraduate Courses
Online Application Procedure
Existing Postgraduate Researchers
Responsibility to Register
Transferring Degree Registration
Non-EU Applicants
17
17
17
18
18
18
19
19
In Ireland-Getting Started
20
Immigration & Visa Requirements
Living in Dublin - Facts, Figures & Visitor attractions
Accommodation
Opening a bank account
Cost of Living
Initial ‘Settling-In’ Allowance
Transport and Travel Costs
Entertainment & Miscellaneous Costs
Public Holidays
Exploring Ireland (transport links)
Working in Ireland
21
23
25
28
29
29
30
33
33
33
35
From Doorway to Desk
37
Getting to Campus
IT Setup
RCSI ID Card
Stay Safe on/off Campus and Health & Safety
General Facilities & Services at RCSI
Clubs & Societies
38
39
40
40
45
50
RCSI Research Culture
51
Good Research Practice
Intellectual Property Arising from Research Projects
52
52
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Welcome
The School of Postgraduate Studies is the conduit for
4th level education at RCSI. The School oversees higher
degrees (PhD, MD, MCh and MSc) by research as well as
taught Masters programmes, postdoctoral training and
workshops for supervisors and thesis examiners.
We strive to ensure that all these activities are carried
out to the highest standards and that appropriate codes
of practice are followed. The School of Postgraduate
Studies assists postgraduates to become fully incorporated
into life at RCSI and ensures that they are afforded an
optimum environment for personal, scholarly and career
development.
The School aims to enhance the quality of all aspects of
the postgraduate experience, both academic and social.
We are delighted to work with the Postgraduate Students
Union (PGSU), which promotes peer interaction through
organised activities and meetings.
Details concerning postgraduate training, both through
research and taught programmes, are addressed in the
following pages and on our web site. If you have any
questions we would be delighted to hear from you.
Prof Niamh Moran
Head Of School Of Postgraduate Studies
Email postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
www.rcsi.ie/SchoolofPostgraduateStudies
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about our courses
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
About Our Courses
For details about all Postgraduate Taught courses, please
go to the relevant department on the RCSI website. The
main Postgraduate Research courses administered by the
School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) are described here.
More details are available online:
• RCSI website (www.rcsi.ie/SchoolofPostgraduateStudies)
• RCSI Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (vle.rcsi.ie,
School of Postgraduate Studies > Research Postgraduate
Resources > PGS)
• Staff Portal (staff.rcsi.ie/faculty-and-departments/spgs).
PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree involves deep
engagement with a research question, under the guidance
of an expert supervisory team. Examination is by written
thesis of publishable quality after at least 3 years of
continuous full-time research and by viva voce examination.
NFQ LEVEL 10. Full-time or Part-time options.
Minimum Duration
3 years (Full-time) or 5 years (Part-time)
Maximum Duration
6 years (Full-time) or 8 years (Part-time)
Minimum Entry Requirements
• BSc (Hons), 2.1 or equivalent.
• English language IELTS score >6.5 or equivalent
[international students].
Supervisors
• 1 Principle Supervisor.
»» Must be permanently employed member of RCSI
academic staff with an excellent academic record in an
area related to the project.
• 1 Co-Supervisor.
»» Can be International, Interdisciplinary and/or
Intersectoral. If on a temporary contract, then their
contract should exceed the expected end date of the
project.
6
Application
• Rolling applications throughout the year.
• Students must use the Apply Online system
(www.rcsi.ie/postgraduate_apply) to register their details
in the Quercus student records management system.
• After approval by the SPGS Board students are registered
to either the April or October cohorts.
• An induction week is held at the end of September.
Transferring
• Students who meet the requirements of the PhD
programme and are requesting a transfer from MSc, MCh
or MD programmes must fill out a Transfer Justification
Form (available on RCSI Moodle) and return it to the
SPGS.
• Transferring students who have not had a recent annual
review will be asked to follow the annual review process
(submit a progress report and have an oral examination
with two independent reviewers) prior to transfer
approval by the SPGS Board.
Annual Review
• Continuation on the course is dependent on successful
review each year.
• A substantial progress report must be submitted
each year and will be reviewed by two independent
researchers in an oral ‘mini-viva’ examination. See the
SPGS website for guidelines on the structure of the
annual report and submission procedures.
• Reviewers are nominated by the supervisor and approved
by the SPGS board.
• Failure to submit the report by the deadline will result in
the student being withdrawn from the course.
• A negative review by the independent review panel will
result in the student being offered the opportunity to
resubmit their report 6 months later, with a repeat oral
examination by the same panel.
• Failure at the second review stage will result in the
student being withdrawn from the course. Depending on
the quality of the work completed, the student may be
offered the opportunity to complete a thesis for a lower
degree (e.g. MSc).
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Leave of Absence
• All research needs to be continuous.
• If, for any reason, you need to delay your studies then you
must inform the SPGS office as soon as possible and fill
out a Leave of Absence Request Form available on RCSI
Moodle.
• The Maternity Leave Form and Thesis Deferral Request
Form are also available on RCSI Moodle.
Examination
• Written thesis and viva voce examination.
• Details of the layout and structure of the written thesis
can be found on RCSI Moodle.
• Examiners include 1 extern (preferably international), 1
internal examiner and 1 chairperson.
• The external examiner usually delegates approval of the
final corrections to the internal examiner.
Programme Director
Prof. Niamh Moran,
Head of School of Postgraduate Studies.
Programme Coordinator
Ms Elaine Carton,
postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
+353 (1) 402 8594
8
MD
The Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree is equivalent to a
PhD, but is aimed at medical doctors who want to research
a specific hypothesis, often involving a clinical study. A
written thesis of publishable quality is submitted after at
least 2 years of continuous full-time research and examined
by viva voce examination. NFQ LEVEL 10. Full-time or Parttime options.
Minimum Duration
2 years (Full-time) or 4 years (Part-time)
Maximum Duration
4 years (Full-time) or 8 years (Part-time)
Minimum Entry Requirements
• MB BCh BAO plus at least 1 year internship. Students
must be eligible for full registration as a medical doctor
with the Irish Medical Council.
• English language IELTS score >6.5 or equivalent
[international students].
Supervisors
• 1 Principle Supervisor.
»» Must be a permanently employed member of RCSI
academic staff, or ancillary medical consultant staff, with
an excellent academic record in an area related to the
project.
• 1 Co-Supervisor.
»» Can be International, Interdisciplinary and/or
Intersectoral. If on temporary contract, then their contract
needs to exceed the expected end date of the student’s
project.
Application
• Rolling applications throughout the year.
• Students must use the Apply Online system (www.rcsi.
ie/postgraduate_apply) to register their details in the
Quercus student records management system.
• After approval by the SPGS Board students are registered
to either the April or October cohorts.
• An induction week is held at the end of September.
Transferring
• Students who meet the requirements of the PhD
programme and are requesting a transfer from the MD
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
programme must fill out a Transfer Justification Form
(available on RCSI Moodle) and return it, with a letter of
support from the main supervisor, to the SPGS.
• All MD students requesting a transfer to PhD must have
completed at least 1 calendar year of registered full-time
research, or 2 years of registered part-time research, on
the MD programme.
• Students who have not had a recent annual review will
be asked to follow the annual review process (submit a
progress report and have an oral examination with two
independent reviewers) prior to review of the transfer
request by the SPGS board. The SPGS board will base its
judgement on the recommendations of the review panel
and the letter of support from the principle supervisor.
Annual Review
• Continuation on the course is dependent on successful
review each year.
• A substantial progress report must be submitted
each year and will be reviewed by two independent
researchers in an oral ‘mini-viva’ examination. See the
SPGS website for guidelines on the structure of the
annual report and submission procedures.
• Reviewers are nominated by the supervisor and approved
by the SPGS board.
• Failure to submit the report by the deadline will result in
the student being withdrawn from the course.
• A negative review by the independent review panel will
result in the student being offered the opportunity to
resubmit their report 6 months later, with a repeat oral
examination by the same panel.
• Failure at the second review stage will result in the
student being withdrawn from the course. Depending on
the quality of the work completed, the student may be
offered the opportunity to complete a thesis for a lower
degree (e.g. MSc).
Leave Of Absence
• All research needs to be continuous.
• If, for any reason, you need to delay your studies then you
must inform the SPGS office as soon as possible and fill
out a Leave of Absence Request Form available on RCSI
Moodle.
10
• The Maternity Leave Form and Thesis Deferral Request
Form are also available on RCSI Moodle.
Examination
• Written thesis and viva voce examination.
• Details of the layout and structure of the written thesis
can be found on RCSI Moodle.
• Examiners include 1 extern (preferably international), 1
internal examiner and 1 chairperson.
• A period of at least three years must have elapsed from
the time the candidate obtained their MB BCh BAO
degrees and submission of their thesis.
• The external examiner usually delegates approval of the
final corrections to the internal examiner.
Programme Director
Dr Emer Reeves,
Deputy Head of School of Postgraduate Studies.
Programme Coordinator
Ms Elaine Carton,
postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
+353 (1) 402 8594
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
MSc by Research
The Master of Science (MSc) degree is awarded after
completion of a significant body of research on a specific
scientific hypothesis and compiled into a written thesis.
NFQ LEVEL 9. Full-time or Part-time options.
Minimum Duration
1 years (Full-time) or 2 years (Part-time)
Maximum Duration
2 years (Full-time) or 4 years (Part-time)
Minimum Entry Requirements
• BSc (Hons), 2.2 or equivalent.
• English language IELTS score >6.5 or equivalent
[international students].
Supervisors
• 1 Principle Supervisor.
»» Must be permanently employed member of RCSI
academic staff with an excellent academic record in an
area related to the project.
• 1 Co-Supervisor.
»» Can be International, Interdisciplinary and/or
Intersectoral. If on a temporary contract, then their
contract needs to exceed the expected end date of the
project.
Application
• Rolling applications throughout the year.
• Students must use the Apply Online system
(www.rcsi.ie/postgraduate_apply) to register their details
in the Quercus student records management system.
• After approval by the SPGS Board students are registered
to either the April or October cohorts.
• An induction week is held at the end of September.
Transferring
• Students who meet the requirements of the PhD
programme and are requesting a transfer from the MSc
programme must fill out a Transfer Justification Form
(available on RCSI Moodle) and return it, with a letter of
support from the main supervisor, to the SPGS.
• All MSc students requesting a transfer to PhD must
complete at least 1 calendar year of registered full-time
12
research, or 2 years of registered part-time research, on
the MSc programme.
• Students will be asked to follow the annual review
process (submit a progress report and have an oral
examination with two independent reviewers) prior to
review by the SPGS board. The SPGS board will base its
judgement on the recommendations of the review panel
and the letter of support from the principle supervisor.
Leave Of Absence
• All research needs to be continuous.
• If, for any reason, you need to delay your studies then you
must inform the SPGS office as soon as possible and fill out a
Leave of Absence Request Form available on RCSI Moodle.
• The Maternity Leave Form and Thesis Deferral Request Form
are also available on RCSI Moodle.
Examination
• Written thesis (postal examination).
• Details of the layout and structure of the written thesis
can be found on RCSI Moodle.
• Examiners include 1 extern (preferably international) and
1 internal examiner.
• The external examiner can request a viva voce
examination at their discretion, although this is very rare.
• The external examiner usually delegates approval of the
final corrections to the internal examiner.
Programme Director
Prof. Niamh Moran,
Head of School of Postgraduate Studies.
Programme Coordinator
Ms Elaine Carton,
postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
+353 (1) 402 8594
13
RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
MCh by Research
The Master of Surgery (MCh) degree is equivalent to an
MSc, but is aimed at medical doctors who want to research
a surgery related issue or clinically relevant study. A written
thesis is submitted after at least 1 year of full-time research.
NFQ LEVEL 9. Full-time or Part-time options.
Minimum Duration
1 years (Full-time) or 2 years (Part-time)
Maximum Duration
2 years (Full-time) or 4 years (Part-time)
Minimum Entry Requirements
• MB BCh BAO plus at least 2 years internship. Students
must be eligible for full registration as a medical doctor
with the Irish Medical Council.
• English language IELTS score >6.5 or equivalent
[international students].
Supervisors
• 1 Principle Supervisor.
»» Must be permanently employed member of RCSI
academic staff, or ancillary medical consultant staff, with
an excellent academic record in an area related to the
project.
• 1 Co-Supervisor.
»» Can be International, Interdisciplinary and/or
Intersectoral. If on a temporary contract, then their
contract should exceed the expected end date of the
project.
Application
• Rolling applications throughout the year.
• Students must use the Apply Online system
(www.rcsi.ie/postgraduate_apply) to register their details in
the Quercus student records management system.
• After approval by the SPGS Board students are registered to
either the April or October cohorts.
• An induction week is held at the end of September.
14
Transferring
• Students who meet the requirements of the PhD or MD
programme and are requesting a transfer from the MCh
programme must fill out a Transfer Justification Form
(available on RCSI Moodle) and return it, with a letter of
support from the main supervisor, to the SPGS.
• All MCh students requesting a transfer to PhD or MD must
complete at least 1 calendar year of registered full-time
research, or 2 years of registered part-time research, on the
MCh programme.
• Students will be asked to follow the annual review process
(submit a progress report and have an oral examination
with two independent reviewers) prior to review by the
SPGS board. The SPGS board will base its judgement on
the recommendations of the review panel and the letter of
support from the principle supervisor.
Leave Of Absence
• All research needs to be continuous.
• If, for any reason, you need to delay your studies then you
must inform the SPGS office as soon as possible and fill out a
Leave of Absence Request Form available on RCSI Moodle.
• The Maternity Leave Form and Thesis Deferral Request Form
are also available on RCSI Moodle.
Examination
• Written thesis (postal examination).
• Details of the layout and structure of the written thesis can
be found on RCSI Moodle.
• Examiners include 1 extern (preferably international) and 1
internal examiner.
• The external examiner can request a viva voce examination
at their discretion, although this is very rare.
• The external examiner usually delegates approval of the final
corrections to the internal examiner.
Programme Director
Prof. Niamh Moran,
Head of School of Postgraduate Studies.
Programme Coordinator
Ms Elaine Carton,
postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
+353 (1) 402 8594
15
RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
How to apply
16
Higher Degrees by Research
Opportunities for PhD, MD, MCh or MSc by research
positions can arise in the following ways:
• RCSI invites applications at specific times during the
academic year for structured PhD programmes in themed
areas.
• A member of RCSI staff obtains a funding agency grant
to conduct a research study and advertises a studentship
to attract suitably qualified candidates to complete the
project. Usually the member of staff who receives the
funding becomes the student’s main research supervisor.
• Individuals wishing to conduct a research project can
approach supervisors at RCSI to discuss potential
opportunities.
• A student receives their own funding and approaches
potential supervisors to see if they would be interested in
supervising the proposed project at RCSI.
When applicants receive an offer to conduct a research
project at RCSI, they are invited to submit an online
application to register for the relevant higher degree by
research. Please click the links below to find instructions
and access to this online application system.
When to Register
You can register in either October or April. Most new
postgraduate researchers begin in October each year.
Applications for registration must be submitted, on the
correct application to register form, to the School of
Postgraduate Studies by the appropriate deadline and
applications for approval will be presented to the relevant
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences Board meeting.
Taught Postgraduate Courses
Generally, taught postgraduate courses at RCSI accept
applications in early spring each year for classes which
begin in September / October. Some courses may have
alternative arrangements for the timing of applications and
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
start dates. Please check the details associated with the course
in which you are interested from the relevant postgraduate
course web page before submitting an application.
Online Application Procedure
RCSI accepts online applications for all higher degrees
by research (PhD, MD, MCh, MSc). Before submitting an
application, all applicants must have discussed and agreed their
proposed research project with their supervisor(s). Applicants
must also familiarise themselves with the entry requirements
to the programme or degree of their choice. Before accessing
the Online Application system it is important that you read the
Application Instruction Guide for Users, Privacy Statement and
Terms of Use.
Please make sure that you have all relevant supporting
documents and an individual, passport-sized photograph
ready to upload with your application. You will need to upload
evidence of qualifications (transcripts), your most up-to-date
Curriculum Vitae and a research proposal. Photographs must
be recent and of the individual who wishes to apply for the
degree; group photographs / photocopies of passports cannot
be accepted. An online application system can be accessed at:
https://www.rcsi.ie/postgraduate_apply
Existing Postgraduate Researchers
Fees for second and subsequent year postgraduate students
who were first registered on 1 October, will be collected in
September of the following years. Dates and venue for the
renewal of registration for these students will be posted to the
student's RCSI email address only.
If you first registered on 1 April you will be notified that annual
fees are due in March. Once the fees are paid you should
contact the School of Postgraduate Studies to registered.
Responsibility to Register
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly registered.
Failure to do this will cause severe delays in the examination
18
process and degree conferring (it is essential that the School
of Postgraduate Studies and the Fees Office have your current
address). All correspondence with the student will be through
their new RCSI email address only, although the SPGS will also
need a private email address on record.
Transferring Degree Registration
If you wish to transfer registration from one higher degree to
another you must complete an Transfer Justification Form and
submit it to School of Postgraduate Studies, RCSI for Faculty
Board approval.
Failure to do this will result in the candidate not being allowed
to submit a thesis for the degree to which s/he wished to
transfer registration.
NON-EU Applicants
Prospective postgraduate students who obtained Bachelor
degrees or equivalent outside the EU are required to obtain
a UK National Information Recognition Centre (NARIC)
equivalence of their qualification. The UK NARIC states
the degree equivalence in accordance with the British/Irish
Bachelor Degree standard. The following is what you require
to send to UK NARIC in order for them to establish the UK
NARIC equivalence of qualifications. Please note that the UK
NARIC Board charges a fee towards the process. Generally as
an international applicant it is the applicants responsibility to
get their course transcripts validated by NARIC. For further
information, please see www.naric.org.uk
1.A photocopy of final certificate(s) and transcript(s)
2.A cover letter with contact details and statement of purpose
of enquiry
3.A copy of certified translations in English, if necessary
4.English language requirements: A high standard of written
and spoken English is required. IELTS or equivalent English
language test scores are accepted e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge,
etc. An IETLS score of 6.5 is desirable, but scores > 6.0 are
acceptable.
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
in ireland - getting started
20
Immigration & Visa Requirements
If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New
Zealand, or USA, you do not need to apply for a student
visa before arrival to Ireland. You will be required to
complete immigration formalities once you have registered
at RCSI.
For all other citizens, up-to-date information on applying for
a student visa is available at www.inis.gov.ie Please ensure
you read the ‘Student Visa Guidelines’ document before
applying for your visa. Visa decisions are also available on
the website www.inis.gov.ie
To check whether you require a visa for entry to Ireland,
please contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration
Service,
T: +353 1 6028202/LoCall 1890 221 227
E: visamail@justice.ie
W: www.inis.gov.ie
Please note visa approval may take up to 12 weeks.
Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) (‘Garda’ is the
Irish word for ‘Police’)
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland
T: +353 1 666 9100/1
E: gnib_dv@garda.ie
Opening Hours:
Monday – Thursday 8am – 9pm
Friday 8am -6pm
All non-EU students must register with immigration
authorities after completion of their students registration at
RCSI.
Please read the ‘Student Guidelines – New Immigration
Regime for full-Time non-EEA Students’ – www.inis.gov.ie
All students are advised to carry a proof of acceptance to
RCSI (i.e. your RCSI offer letter) in their hand luggage as
Immigration Authorities will ask to see it upon arrival to
Ireland.
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Registration with Garda National Immigration Bureau
It is not necessary for students from the EU/EEA and
Switzerland to register with immigration authorities.
All students from outside the EU/EEA must register in
person at GNIB offices within 30 days of arriving in Ireland.
Registration costs €300 and can ONLY be paid by credit/
debit/laser card or by bank giro. The GNIB will NOT accept
cash or other method of payment. If you do not have a
credit/debit/laser card GNIB will issue a bank giro to you
when you register. You must then take the bank giro to a
bank in order to pay the fee and then return to GNIB office.
Please do not attempt to register with Immigration before
you have completed your student registration in RCSI.
GNIB will be unable to process your application and you
will have wasted your time and effort in the process.
Please bring the following items to register with the GNIB:
• 2015/2016 RCSI student card
• A ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letter from The School of
Postgraduate Studies indicating your student status, start
date and the duration of your course at RCSI.
• Valid passport (and entry visa, if applicable)
• Evidence of financial supports (eg. current bank
statement, a letter of guarantee from parent or guardian
indicating availability of sufficient funds to sustain you for
the duration of your stay in Ireland; or a letter from your
sponsoring body confirming financial status). Please note,
that, in addition to course fees, you must have access to
€3000 at first registrations with GNIB.
GNIB Documentation Checklist
• Valid passport, birth certificate & entry visa (if applicable)
• RCSI Student Card
• Evidence of Financial Support
• A ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letter from RCSI
• A receipt of your fees paid from the Student Fees Office
• Evidence of private medical insurance
(purchased in Ireland)
• Credit/laser/debit card of bank giro to pay the €300
GNIB registration fee
22
Living in Dublin - Facts & Figures
Dublin was founded as a Viking settlement over one
thousand years ago on the banks of the river Liffey. It
became an administrative capital after the Norman
Conquest of Ireland in the twelfth century and developed
its own parliament and government institutions under
British sovereignty from the fourteenth century onwards.
During the eighteenth century, the city grew rapidly. Dublin
is now a thriving capital of an independent Ireland and is
the centre of the political, diplomatic, administrative and
commercial life of the country. It is home to a population of
over one million people. We hope that you will get to know
the city while you are here, and enjoy all the facilities that it
has to offer.
• Dublin is the capital city of Ireland.
• The city covers a land area of 115 square kilometres.
• The city is sited on the estuary of the River Liffey. This
river empties into Dublin Bay which opens onto the Irish
Sea.
Climate
• Average summer temperatures: 10C to 15C/61F to 68F.
• Average winter temperatures: 4C to 7C/39F to 45F.
Population
Approx. 1.66 million (Greater Dublin area)
Visitor Attractions
• Bank of Ireland
College Green, Dublin 2
www.bankofireland.ie
• Chester Beatty Library & Gallery of Oriental Art
• Dublin Castle
www.cbl.ie
• City Hall
Lord Edward Street, Dublin 8
www.dublincity.ie
• Custom House
Custom House Quay, Dublin 1
• Dublin Zoo
E: info@dublinzoo.ie
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
• The Four Courts
www.courts.ie
• Gaelic Athletic Association
Croke Park
www.gaa.ie
• General Post Office (GPO)
O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
• Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery
Parnell Square, Dublin 1
• Kilmainham Gaol (Jail)
Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
E: Kilmainhamgaol@opw.ie
• Leinster House – Dáil Éireann – Irish Parliament
Kildare Street, Dublin 2
www.gov.ie
• The National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
www.nationalgallery.ie
• National Library
Kildare Street, Dublin 2
www.nli.ie
• National Museum
Kildare Street, Dublin 2
www.museum.ie
• National Stadium
www.avivastadium.ie
• St Patrick’s Cathedral
www.stpatrickscathedral.ie
• St Stephen‘s Green
Public Park
• Trinity College
College Green, Dublin 2
www.tcd.ie
24
Accommodation
One of the most important tasks faced by new students
is the search of suitable accommodation. RCSI offers a
number of services to assist students in finding the perfect
accommodation away from home.
Mercer Court accommodation
The student accommodation at Mercer Court is managed
by RCSI, is immediately adjacent to the College. For further
details please contact the Accommodation Manager
(T: +353 402 2502l E: merceraccommodation@rcsi.ie).
Most new students opt to stay at Mercer Court – it is a
great way to meet your fellow students and forge life-long
friendships.
Other Accommodation
The RCSI Student Services Office provides listings of
alternative types of accommodation, including student
residences, host families, private rented and shared
accommodation. Rented accommodation tends to be
available for immediate occupancy. Accommodation listings
are most useful from July/August onwards. The listings can
be found on the RCSI website www.rcsi.ie
Short-term Accommodation
You can find out more about short-term accommodation –
i.e. hotels, Bed & Breakfast providers, and hostels – on the
RCSI website (www.rcsi.ie). The staff in the Student Services
Office will also be able to assist you with any short-term
accommodation queries.
Private Rented Accommodation
We recommend you arrive at least 2 weeks before
term begins in order to finalise your accommodation
arrangements and to allow time to get settled into your
new life in Dublin.
Private rented accommodation options include: bed-sit,
flat/apartment or sharing a house. It is usually cheaper to
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
share accommodation with others.
A bed-sit essentially is a single room unit with basic cooking
facilities (a mini-kitchen area), a bed and some additional
furniture. Toilet and bathroom facilities are generally shared with
the other occupants of the building through there may be a selfcontained shower. Costs run from €500-€750 per month and
higher depending on accommodation quality and location.
A ‘flat’ or apartment will offer a kitchen and a living room
(possibly combined), a bathroom and one or more bedrooms.
Again quality and costs varies. A compact one bedroom unit
may cost little more than a bed-sit, while a three bedroom flat/
apartments will cost from €1,200-€2,000 per month.
A house share with other people can be the cheapest option as
bills are divided among more people. Unless you share a room
to reduce costs, you can expect to pay from €450 to €550 per
person per month. However, these figures vary greatly according
to the quality of the accommodation and its location.
In all cases, rents are usually payable monthly in advance. At the
beginning of a rental period you pay a deposit of one month’s
rent, which will be refunded when you leave ( provided you have
not caused any damage to the premises). If you do not adhere
to the terms of the lease, you will lose your deposit.
Students should note that it is always advisable to view private
accommodation in advance in order to ascertain that it suits your
requirements.
Students should not make any payments for a deposit and/or
rent for private accommodation before arrival to Ireland.
The School of Postgraduate Studies will advise you on the best
options to suit your situation, but cannot make reservations on
your behalf.
RCSI Student Services Office maintains an online
‘Accommodation Message Board’ on the RCSI website
(www.rcsi.ie). Here you can find others of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom
apartments for rent, Host Family Accommodation, short-term
accommodation and houses to rent. The site also attempts
26
to link up existing and new students both seeking and
offering accommodation.The most popular private rented
accommodation in the first years include Adelaide Square,
Aungier Street Residence, Castlewy and Wyndham Court
apartments, which are all located close to RCSI.
Host Family Accommodation
This involves living in a family home, with the landlord/
landlady and his/her family. You may have your own room or
you may be sharing a bedroom with other students (slightly
less expensive). Breakfast and dinner are sometimes
provided. The cost is approximately €100 -140 per week
depending on services included. A list of host families
will be available in August from the online Accommodation
Message Board (www.rcsi/accommodation). Homestay Ireland
provides numerous host family options
(www.homestaybooking.com/homestay-ireland).
Threshold
If you ever have trouble/issues with your landlord or would like
information on your rights as a tenant while renting in Ireland,
Threshold, the tenant advisory service, provides information and
advice. For further information, please see www.threshold.ie
Useful Links
The following websites have extensive information on available
accommodation in Dublin and surrounding areas – RCSI is
located in Dublin 2, so search for accommodation in Dublin 2, 4
and 6 as these areas are closes to the College.
www.daft.ie
www.let.ie
www.myhome2let.ie
www.letbynet.com
www.homelocators.ie
www.wyse.ie
www.huntsman.ie
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
www.collegecribs.ie
If you plan to arrive in Dublin without having organised
long-term accommodation you should book temporary
accommodation prior to your arrival. See the RCSI website
(www.rcsi.ie) for a comprehensive list of hotels, B &B’s*, hostels
and budget accommodation. While there is always strong
demand for student accommodation, please rest assured that
you will find something suitable. In recent years increased supply
of private accommodation has come on the market in Dublin, so
our advice is – don’t panic! All our students have always secured
accommodation.
Beware of deposit fraud. Make sure you have verified that the
apartment exists (preferably by arriving early and staying in a
B&B for a few days) and that you transfer the deposit into an Irish
bank account (not cash). Insist on a written and signed receipt
for the deposit, and ask the landlord for their PPS number (you'll
need this to register your tenancy later). If they insist on using
cash only and refuse to give you their PPS number or a lease
agreement, then walk away!
Opening Bank Account
Since 1 January 2002 the legal currency used in Ireland is the
Euro (€). The Euro is made up of 100 cents. Coins come in
denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and€2. Paper
notes come in denominations of €5, €10,€20, €50, €100, €200
and €500.
Euro can be bought at all banks, major bus and train
stations, ferry ports and airports. In addition, currency can
also be exchanged in independent Bureaux de Change in
cities and major towns.
Ireland has a thoroughly modern financial system and
banking is simple and convenient. ATM machines are widely
available and international credit cards and other financial
instruments are widely accepted.
Banking costs vary however and many banks offer special
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student rates or even ‘free banking’ so it is well worth
shopping around before opening an account. A student
officer is available on location in the bank to assist with any
problems.
In order for you to open a bank account you will be required
to submit the following documents:
• Official bank application form
• Official proof of address (e.g. a bill or official lease
agreement)
• Passport or National ID
• Letter from the School of Postgraduate Studies
confirming your status at RCSI
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dublin can be quite high though it
very much depends on each student’s individual needs.
Please see below for an estimate, but bear in mind that
these are estimates ONLY and that each individual will have
their own financial needs based on their own lifestyle and
Monthly budget estimate:
Accommodation (depending on type of
accommodation)
€450
-€1,300
Utilities (gas, water, electricity)
€120
Bus/Rail €90
€90
Internet (8MB – average per month)
Clothes, entertainment, other living expenses
€32
€250
circumstances.
Initial ‘Settling-In Allowance’
• When renting a property you will be required to sign
a lease and pay the first month’s rent and a deposit is
normally the same amount as the monthly rent figure.
Minimum lease period is usually 1 year and if you vacate
prior to this period you will be liable to pay rent for the
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
remaining period or find a new tenant to take over the
lease, subject to landlord approval.
• Miscellaneous items may have to be purchased, e.g.
crockery, cooking utensils, bed linen, etc. These items will
differ according to what is supplied and what is needed .
Warm and weatherproof clothing may also be purchased.
• Mobile phones can be purchase from a variety of phone
shops located around the city . Prices start from €50 but
there are terms and condition. Prepaid mobile phones
also exist where you can purchase top up credit. This
option means there are no large monthly bills to pay.
Check special offers with the retailer. Special purchase
‘call cards’ can be purchased at reduced rates for
overseas calls.
Transport in Dublin & Travel Costs
Student Travel Card
Student Travelcard is Ireland’s leading student discount
card offering exclusive discounts of up to 40% on bus, rail
and light rail. In addition, the card gives over 200 discounts
nationwide on production of the card in-store as well as
online using your unique card number.
The Student Travelcard application form is available from
the School of Postgraduate Studies Office or Student
Services. Alternatively, you can download it online.
To apply you will need: Your College ID and completed
Student Travelcard application form Card costs €15.00
Bicycles
Travel by bicycle is also an option in Dublin. Bicycles can be
purchased new or second hand from local shops. There is a
bicycle park located in the College. It is essential that you
insure your bicycle and keep it locked.
• Other items you will need to budget for include:
stationary, photocopying, printing, books, toiletries, etc.
• If you have a TV in your room you must purchase a
television licence at a cost of €160 per annum. Available
at any Post Office.
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Travel Costs
The average price of a single city bus fare is €1.65 (cheaper
with a LEAP CARD); the average single LUAS fare is approx.
€2. Monthly student bus tickets include the following
options: Bus only 30 days unlimited costs €91.50, or bus and
LUAS unlimited costs €98.50. Both options require a Student
Travel Card. The Student Travelcard costs €12 - €15.
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus runs all public bus services in the Greater Dublin
area. For specific timetables, please contact:
Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
T: 353 (0) 1 872 0000
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm
www.dublinbus.ie
Nitelink
Dublin Bus operates at night time bus service called Nitelink,
which runs from the City Centre to the suburbs. Nitelink buses
run on Friday and Saturday nights from 12:00am – 4:00am
The Nitelink fare costs €5. For further information on bus
timetables and fares, please contact Dublin Bus or visit
www.dublinbus.ie
LUAS
LUAS (meaning ‘speed’) is a Light Rail transport system in
Dublin. The LUAS connects suburbs to the City Centre with a
high capacity and high frequency transport service.
LUAS runs two tramlines:
The Green Line: connecting Brides Glen to Stephen’s Green,
approx. 22 minutes total journey time.
The Red Line: connecting Saggart to Connolly. Approx. 50
minutes total journey time.
Further information is available on www.luas.ie
Public Bike Scheme
The Public Bike scheme provides 40 public bike stations
around the city with several hundred bikes available for
general public use. You can find out more about how you can
collect, return and pay the small fee for your public bike use
across the city from the website: www.dublincitycycling.ie
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Car
Should you decide to travel by car, parking is available in
the city, but is very expensive (approx €2.50/€3.00 per
hour). On street parking is available at meters, but this
is difficult to secure and many streets only allow a 2 hour
maximum period. Car insurance is very expensive in Ireland.
Quotes vary depending on experience, age, etc. Contact
individual companies for costs. For further information
regarding car tax and licences contact
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/MotorTax/
T: 0818 411 412
www.dublincity.ie
Taxi
Taxis are available in all cities at hotels, rail or bus stations
or at taxi ranks, which are clearly marked. Taxi meters are in
operation in Dublin and you should always check that the
meter is switched on. If a taxi is ordered, there may be a
pick-up charge.
Ferry Terminals
Sea ferries operate between France and Ireland and Britain
and Ireland. Dublin has two ferry terminals, located at the
North Wall and Dun Laoghaire. Rosslare Ferry Terminal
in Wexford and Cork Ferry Terminal have direct train
connections with Dublin. The ferry companies operating to
and from Ireland are:
• Stena Sealink
T: 353 (0) 1 204 7777
www.stenaline.ie
• Irish Ferries
T: 353 (0) 818 300 400
www.irishferries.ie
• Brittany Ferries
T: 353 (0) 21 427 7801
www.brittanyferries.ie
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Entertainment & Miscellaneous Costs
Depends on personal choice. Cinema tickets cost approx.
€10.00. Student discounts are available to holders of a
student card. Night club entrance (cover charge) €7.00 to
€15.00; theatre and concert tickets €10-€25+
A pint of beer in a city pub costs on average €4 - €5, a
glass of wine approx. The same (coffee & tea €1.30- €2.50).
Most parks and museums, art galleries, etc. have free
entrance or offer student discounts.
Postage
Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland: 60c for a letter or
postcard. Great Britain, Europe and Rest of the World: 90c
for a letter of postcard.
Please note that all the above figures are approximations,
as some students will live on less and some more,
depending on their allowance.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day
1 January
St Patrick’s Day
17 March
Easter
March/April (dates vary)
May Holiday
First Monday in May
June Holiday
First Monday in June
August Holiday
First Monday in August
October HolidayLast Monday in October
Christmas Day
25 December
St Stephen’s Day 26 December
Exploring Ireland
For a small country, Ireland offers and enormous diversity
of landscapes: from long, sandy beaches to rugged
coastlines; from bogland plains to the dramatic cliffs of the
West Coast, with much more in between! The environment
provides endless opportunities for outdoor leisure pursuits,
including water sports, hill walking and rock climbing.
Cities, towns and villages in Ireland also afford boundless
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
opportunities for relaxation and recreation, including clubs,
restaurants, museums, art galleries, craft exhibitions, and
music & arts festivals.
Festivals are held throughout the year all over the country
and are a wonderful opportunity to sample some Irish
culture whilst getting to know different parts of the island.
Because of its size, travel within Ireland is relatively easy. CIE
(Córas Iompair Éireann) – the national transport service –
operates trains, buses and coaches throughout the country.
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) operates nationwide rail services,
the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) and other suburban
rail services. Private coach or bus services are also available.
Bus Éireann (Irish Bus)
Irish Bus has a nationwide network of buses serving all of the
major Irish cities outside the Dublin area. In addition, there
is an interlink service connecting these major points to small
towns or villages. Buses leave from and arrive at, Busáras
(Central Bus Station), which is located on Store Street in the
city centre, near Connolly Station.
Bus timetables are available at www.buseireann.ie
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit)
Within the Dublin area, the train service operated by Iarnród
Éireann is the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART), which
runs along the coast from Howth in the north of Dublin
to Greystones in the south. The times of the DART vary
between every five minutes at rush hour to every half hour
on Sundays. The main DART station servicing Dublin city are
Pearse Station, Tara Street Station and Connolly Station.
For timetable see www.irishrail.ie
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Irish Rail operates services to all provincial cities from two
stations in Dublin, Heuston Station and Connolly Station,
both of which are located in the city centre. There are two
classes, standard class (economy) and super standard (1st
class). With a Student Travel Card, may avail of discounts on
train journeys.
For timetables see www.irishrail.ie
34
Flying
Direct and connecting flights are available to numerous
destinations from Dublin Airport www.dublinairport.ie
For information about flying with the free major Irish
airlines, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Aer Arann please visit their
websites:
www.aerlingus.ie
www.ryanair.ie
www.aerarann.ie
Working in Ireland
Students from the EEA – In the past, all nationals from the
European Economic Area (EEA) have been free to take up
employment in Ireland while studying. However, nationals
of Romania and Bulgaria – countries which joined the EU in
2007 – may work while studying only if they meet the criteria
for non-EEA students outlined below.
Students from outside of the EEA – At present, students
attending full-time course of at least one year’s duration
leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister of
Education and Science are entitled to take up casual
employment (defined as up to 20 hours part time
work per week of full time work during normal college
holiday periods). The course of study must be listed on
the internationalisation register of recognised courses
maintained on behalf of the Department of Education.
Access to employment is denied to all other students.
Important points to note:
• Unless you are on a recognised course, you will not
be allowed to access employment during your stay
in Ireland. The maximum number of hours a full-time
student may work is 20 hours per week.
• The right to work lapses automatically once the period
of study is completed, except for a 12 month extension
available to third level graduates.
• When applying for your student entry visa, you will need
to show that you have sufficient funds to cover the entire
period of your course, without having to rely on income
from a part-time job.
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
For further information please go to www.icosirl.ie or check
out the following governmental website: www.irlgov.ie
PPS (Personal Public Service) Number
All employees in Ireland have a PPS number for tax
purposes. If you take up a job you must apply for PPS
numbers. Applications are made through your local social
welfare office, i.e. the office closest to your accommodation
in Dublin (e.g. D2, D4, D6, etc.) You can find where your
nearest social welfare office is by visiting www.welfare.ie.
You will need to take the following along with you:
EU/EEA Students
• Passport
• Proof of Address (utility bill in your name/bank statement/
student letter)
Non-EU Students
• Passport
• Garda registration card
• RCSI student card
• Proof of address (utility bill in your name/bank statement/
student letter stating your address)
Please note that accessing some government services
requires students to have PPS number, for example, driver
theory testing and driver licenses.
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from doorway to desk
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
RCSI campus is open 7 days a week:
Monday-Friday: 7am to 10pm
Saturday: 8am to 7pm
Sunday: 10am to 3pm
You will need an ID card for access to Campus facilities. If
you wish to work during the weekend you will need to get a
weekend pass. This will ensure the safety of all employees
at all time. In order for you to get a weekend pass you need
to speak to the Head of your Department
Getting to the Campus
Dublin Airport to RCSI
Taking a Bus & Public Service
»» Approximately 40 minute journey time to city
»» RCSI is a short walk from the bus drop off point
7 bus connections to city centre
»» 2 Airport buses direct to city centre (No stops!)
(Bus no. 747 and 748)
»» 5 normal buses through city centre (Many stops!)
(Bus no. 16a, 41, 46x, 102, 746)
Buying a ticket…
»» Cash only to the driver…need exact fare!
»» Tickets can be bought at airport tourist information desk
»» €6 one way, €10 return
(www.dublinbus.ie)
Private Service
»» Approximately 40 minute journey time to city
»» More regular service
»» Track your bus online, never miss your flight
»» 2 bus connections to city centre
Buying a ticket…
»» Cash only to the driver…Change given!
»» €8 one way, €13 return
(www.aircoach.ie)
38
Other Bus Services
• Airport Hopper
»» Tallaght/Clondalkin/Lucan to Airport
TAXI Service
• Taxi ranks outside Dublin Airport arrivals hall
»» Approximately 30 minute journey time to city
»» €30 fare (approximate)
• Additional charges for;
»» extra bags
»» extra passengers
»» outside normal operating hours of 8am to 8pm
Monday-Saturday
Going to Beaumont
Public service
»» Approximately 25 minute journey time from city
»» 10 minute journey time from airport (Bus 16a)
5 bus connections to Beaumont Campus
»» Bus no. 16, 16a, 20b, 27b and 42a/b
Buying a ticket…
»» Cash only to the driver…need exact fare!
»» Tickets can be bought in many city centre newsagents
»» Check out www.dublinbus.ie for more details
IT Setup
In order for you to gain an online access (RCSI email,
internal portals) you need to be fully registered at RCSI.
Information on registration is available on the School of
Postgraduate Studies website. If you need any further
information, please contact Elaine Carton:
E: postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
T: 353(0) 1402 8594
Once registered IT Helpdesk will issue you with the new ID
card and email account details:
E: helpdesk@rcsi.ie
T: 353(0) 01402 2273
Connecting to the Internet
Computers come pre-installed with Internet Explorer and
Chrome
• Once registered, Microsoft Outlook can manage your
email account
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
• Get remote email access at home or abroad at
https://webmail.rcsi.ie
• Simply plug into a live internet port at your desk and start
surfing!
• If internet port is not live, ask your supervisor to email
building services helpdesk@rcsi.ie
• Building services activate internet ports immediately
RCSI ID Card
Once registered, every staff and student member gets an
RCSI ID card. Please note that all new or re-issued ID cards
must be activated by Security team.
Everyone has access to some areas (i.e. Gym, canteen,
campus entry and exit points). All other access is
department-specific and you should ask your supervisor or
colleagues for details.
ID cards displays your name, department and ID number.
Under no circumstances you are allowed to give your ID
card to someone else.
Lost/Stolen/Damaged Cards?
• Report it to IT immediately!
• New card will be printed while you wait (replacements for
lost cards carry a charge of €10)
• Reactivate card at security helpdesk located behind
Porter’s desk in RCSI Foyer
Stay Safe on/off Campus
Your Personal Safety
• Avoid situations, where you are travelling alone at night time
• When travelling on foot, use busy routes and well lit walkways
• Don’t display obvious valuables – jewellery, handbags etc.
unless completely necessary
• Always take care when using ATM’s
• When socialising, don’t leave an opened drink unattended,
even for short periods
• Don’t leave property unattended in libraries, lecture theatres,
restaurants or changing rooms
• If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest place
where there are other people, and contact Gardaí
• If you are assaulted, help is available to you from the Gardaí
24 hours a day.
40
• Remember, no mobile phone credit is needed to make
999/112 emergency calls.
• Security of Your Accommodation
• Lock your front/back doors at all times. If leaving, check that
all windows are locked
• Take care when letting in callers – ask for identification if in
doubt.
• Take special care of valuables, including laptops, IPods and
mobile phones
• Always lock outside doors
• Use your door chain
• If you receive strange of abusive phone calls, contact the
Gardaí/Campus Security
• Security of Your Bicycle, Car or Motorcycle
• When you purchase a bicycle, make sure you keep a receipt
showing ID details
• Secure your bicycle, car or motorcycle in an area which is
supervised or where it can be seen
• Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you must, then keep them
out of sight in the boot
• Don’t leave personal documents – driving licences, insurance
certificates etc. in your car
• Consider fitting a good quality alarm and/or immobiliser as
well as chain/padlock
• Don’t pick up hitch-hikers
• Secure parking of motorcycles can be difficult to find. ‘U’
shaped pieces of scaffolding pole embedded into concrete,
and located areas, which have good natural surveillance can
be the answer to the motorcyclists’ theft problem
The National Age Card
• Remember that you can apply for ‘The National Age Card’
once you have reached 18 years of age
• This is a state of the art identification card which provides you
with the means to prove your age when requested
• The card can be applied for through your local Garda station
• Check it out www.agecard.ie
• Your local Garda station will also be able to give you details
Health & Safety
The College have a comprehensive Safety Statement
outlining applicable standards and safety requirements.
This document should be reviewed by all RCSI staff and
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students. The statement is also available on the Health &
Safety (H&S) section of the Staff Portal: (http://staff.rcsi.ie/
administration-and-support/estate-services/health-andsafety).
The Safety Statement and related safety documents set
out details of the College’s safety management system and
all individuals are required to familiarise themselves with
their responsibilities, as outlined in this document, and to
comply with the College’s safety policies and procedures.
In addition each laboratory will have additional health and
safety information as applicable within that department.
This will include risk assessments, safety protocols, chemical
and substance safety data sheets, standard operating
procedures and other relevant material.
The College provides a number of H&S training courses,
some of which are optional, but the majority of which are
mandatory especially for researchers working in a laboratory
environment. Please familiarize yourself with these courses
(listed on the portal) and avail of the training as soon after
commencement as possible. Supervisors and laboratory
managers should be aware of the training courses attended
by their researchers, before, and during the period the
researchers are in the lab.
The College has a dedicated Health and Safety office and
each department has a H&S representative whom you
should be familiar with (generally the laboratory manager in
larger departments or the lab technician).
In the event of an accident first aiders are available in all
buildings during working hours. Contact the security desk
if you are unsure of first aiders in your area (RCSI security
ext 2219; Beaumont Hospital Security 01 8092110; Connolly
Hospital Security 01 6465438)
All incidents/accidents must be reported immediately to
the Health and Safety office at E: safety@rcsi.ie or
T: 01 4022268.
42
Highlight of key lab risks:
Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Risk assessments must be completed for all experiments and
for all chemicals used in the labs. Training for completion
of risk assessments will be provided in the mandatory lab
safety training. To summarise there are six key steps in a risk
assessment process are:
1.List work tasks
2.Identify the risks
3.Estimate the risks
4.Evaluate the risks
5.Record your findings
6.Review your findings
Fire and other Emergency situations
Evacuation instructions may be given locally by verbal
command, or for an entire building through the fire warning
system. A local evacuation may occur for example where a low
risk chemical spill is contained in an area which can be safely
cordoned off. A continuous bell, siren or voice evacuation
command on a tannoy system indicates the Emergency
Evacuation Plan has been activated and that all occupants must
leave the premises immediately.
Evacuation Instructions - on discovering a fire or hearing the fire
alarm :
• Activate nearest red break glass unit,
• Inform personnel in your area that there is an emergency,
• Contact security
• Only use firefighting equipment if it is safe to do so & if you
are trained to do so,
• Evacuate building by nearest fire exit and proceed to the
nearest fire assembly point – see local information for details
regarding assembly points.
• Do not use lifts,
• Do not take risks,
• Obey the instructions of fire wardens,
Know your escape route in advance. Also be prepared to
use an alternate exit in case your primary route is obstructed.
Pay attention to all alarms and public address system
announcements.
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Chemical awareness and safety
• All chemicals are supplied with a safety data sheet (SDS)
- ask your lab manager or the lab technicians where these
documents are kept (usually available online)
• The SDS are very detailed but do have useful information
regarding
• Routes of exposure (i.e. through inhalation or contact with skin
etc)
• How to dispose of the chemical safely
• What to do in the event of an accident, spillage
• Details regarding handling and storage
• All chemicals must be labelled - no one else knows if it is just
water or something more dangerous
• Chemicals must be disposed of safely (speak with the lab
manager / lab technician for specific waste disposal policies)
- Do not pour chemicals down the drain…check with your lab
manager
• If transporting chemicals within labs or through buildings
ensure adequate safety measures are taken to protect yourself
and others. At a minimum:
• Ensure it is labelled and that you are fully aware of its
properties and associated hazards,
• Make sure the chemical is sealed before moving
• Do not carry open chemical containers
• Always walk, never run
• Be mindful of students, administrative staff, visitors and others
– others will not be aware of the hazards associated with the
chemical you are transporting thus it is your responsibility
to ensure your safety and the safety of others that might be
impacted by your research.
• Lab coats must be worn at all times within the lab – regardless
of activity being undertaken. When leaving a lab or entering
communal areas – lifts, restaurant, toilets, corridors remove
both lab coat and gloves – this will reduce the risk of
contamination.
Gas
• The majority of RCSI labs have piped gas in them. Gas
detection is installed in labs. In the event that you smell
anything suspicious or hear a noise coming from the gas taps
evacuate the area immediately and report same to security.
RCSI security ext 2219; Beaumont Hospital Security
01 8092110; Connolly Hospital Security 01 6465438
44
• Review specific lab policy regarding the use of gas and
seek advice from the Lab manager and lab technicians as
appropriate.
Freezers
Lab freezers are very different to household freezers with the
majority being either -20C or -80 C. These freezer contain the
samples and biological specimens for numerous researchers
throughout your department and the college and are a hugely
valuable asset of the college.
Basic precautions to be taken:
• Never leave them open - take what you need and close the
door. If you notice that a freezer is open close it immediately.
Report any leaks or other concerns to Lab Manager /
Technician immediately.
Liquid Nitrogen
• Liquid nitrogen is cold enough to cause severe frostbite upon
contact with living tissue.
• Do not enclose liquid nitrogen in a sealed container, as
this may result in bursting or an explosion. VENTING IS A
REQUIREMENT. Do not overfill.
• Adding a lot of nitrogen to the air reduces the relative amount
of oxygen. This can result in an asphyxiation risk.
• Cold nitrogen gas is heavier than air, so the risk is greatest
near the ground. Use liquid nitrogen in a well-ventilated area.
This is a summary of some of the key lab hazards. Please
familiarise yourself with all safety documentation in your own
lab and seek specific information from the Lab Manager or lab
technicians.
The Health and Safety office are available at all times to assist
and advise on any health and safety concerns.
General Facilities & Services at RCSI
Moodle
Moodle is an interactive virtual learning environment
which allows scholars to be constantly up to date with
programme details. The scholars programme endeavours
to use Moodle to its full advantage by placing all required
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
information on the site including laboratory rotation details,
MCQs and discussion forums. Each scholar can access
Moodle with their student
password via this link: https://vle.rcsi.ie/login/index.php.
You will find useful information, online modules/workshops and
more in the The School of Postgraduate Studies module in RCSI
Moodle. You can find it here:
School of Postgraduate Studies >Research Postgraduate
Resources >PGS.
IT Support and Wi-Fi
Scholars can access IT department information through
Moodle; details include opening hours, how to connect to
the internet, antiviral software, student storage quota and
printing software. The IT department is located at 121 St.
Stephens Green on the 4th Floor; you can also contact IT
directly by email helpdesk@rcsi.ie.
Libraries
Each scholar has access to library facilities including on
rotation in Beaumont Hospital and
the DCU campus. Any information required such as the
library catalogue, collections, e-resources,
opening hours etc., can be found on the individual
websites.
The Mercer Library
Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland,
Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 2.
Tel: 353 (0) 1 402 2407
Fax: 353 (0) 1 402 2457
Email: library@rcsi.ie
RCSI Library
Beaumont Hospital,
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9.
Tel: 353 (0) 1 809 2531
Fax: 353 (0) 1 836 7396
Email: bhlibrary@rcsi.ie
RCSI Restaurant
The College Restaurant caters for the needs of our
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international student body and serves a wide selection of
foods, including vegetarian and halal options.
A Coffee Doc is located in the basement of the main
College, where hot drinks and light snacks are available.
The College is also surrounded by a variety of snack bars,
cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.
Sports Facilities
Outdoor facilities
RCSI offers playing fields and courts at its sports grounds at
Dardistown on the Swords Road, Dublin.
Dardistown includes a flood-lit rugby pitch, soccer pith and
cricket wicket. In additions, all-weather hockey, football and
tennis facilities are available. For bookings, please contact:
T: 353 (0) 1 402 8534
E: studentservices@rcsi.ie
Indoor Facilities at St Stephen’s Green Campus
»» Basketball court lined out for multi-purpose use:
volleyball, badminton and indoor football
»» Squash court, located in the main College near the
basketball court
»» Fully equipped gym
Sports Coordinator
The RCSI Sports Coordinator is responsible for all matters
relating to sports and for providing assistance and support
to the College’s sports clubs and teams.
Disability Support Service
The Disability Officer is responsible for providing supports
to students with disabilities to enable them to participate
and succeed in all aspects of College life. Full details of
disability policies and procedures are available from the
Student Services Office, on the RCSI website and on
Moodle
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Team
The College Chaplaincy Team addresses the wider
needs of students and offer assistance in times of need.
The Chaplaincy Office is located in the main College
(St Stephen’s Green) and the team are available for
consultations with students of all denominations and none.
The team offer:
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
• Pastoral support, especially at times of difficulty an crisis
• A place of welcome for students
• A caring atmosphere
• A listening ear
• A non-judgmental attitude
• A quite space to help lessen stress
• Respect for those of all religious convictions or none
Créche
Créche facilities are available to registered students of RCSI
through Giraffe Childcare & Early Learning. Giraffe develop
and operate Childcare and Early Learning Centres for preschool children from three months upwards. Emergency
care is also available when other care arrangements are
temporarily unavailable. To book a place and for further
information, please contact:
Louise Warren, Parent Care Manager of Giraffe
T: 353 (0) 1850 29 10 99/1850 926682
E: cce@giraffe.ie
W: www.giraffe.ie
Post
Student post can be collected from the Student Services
Office. RCSI cannot be held responsible for any letters sent
to the College address or held in the College while awaiting
collections. Letters which have not been not been claimed
after 8 weeks will be discarded. Unfortunately we cannot
accept parcel and package post.
Niteline
Niteline is a confidential listening and information service
run by students, for students. It provides a friendly and
completely confidential listening ear for anyone who feels
they need to talk about issues worrying them. Phone
lines are open on Mondays from 9.00pm to 1.30am and
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00pm to
2:30am
T: 1800 793 793
W: www.niteline.ie
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PLEASETALK
Please Talk was first launched in January 2007 in UCD. It
was in response to the deaths of a number of students
by suicide. Please Talk urges students to understand that
talking is a sign of strength not of weakness, and if they are
experiencing problems while at college, there are people
there who can help. It promotes this message through a
collaborative effort involving the various support services
present in colleges up and down the country such as:
chaplains, counsellors, student support officers, students’
unions, disability support services and many more.
Student Welfare Officers
T: 353 (0) 1 402 2504 or 353 (0) 1 809 3768
E: sow@rcsi.ie
Post Office
The closest Post Office to RCSI is in Andrew Street (about 5
minute walk from the College).
Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) is an
independent non-profit network of educational institutions,
NGOs and individuals interested in international education.
ICOS works with government and other agencies to
promote good policies and best practice in relation to the
recruitment, access and support of international students in
Ireland.
ICOS Secretariat
41 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4
T: +353 (0) 1 550 5233
W: www.icosirl.ie
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Clubs & Societies
Postgraduate Student’s Union (PGSU)
The Postgraduate Student’s Union (PGSU) represents
graduate students in a variety of ways including raising
issues and challenges encountered by students and
endeavouring to help students throughout their time in
RCSI. The PGSU also organise education and career events
for postgraduate students including a postgraduate career
seminar to educate students on the potential career paths
post-PhD. The speakers, from diverse backgrounds were
invited to speak about their journey from their PhD to their
current positions. The PGSU also arranged numerous social
events for all postgraduate students.
Further information on the PGSU’s activities is available at
https://www.facebook.com/RCSI.PGSU
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RCSI Research Culture
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Good Research Practice
The College aspires to the highest standard of research and
does its upmost to foster a dynamic and healthy research
environment. In turn, the college demands equally high
standards of conduct from its scholars. It has therefore
produced a set of guidelines to which scholars must adhere.
The Guidelines on Good Research Practice can be found
on the college website. Areas outlines in the guidelines on
good research practice include; integrity in the workplace,
openness and dissemination of results, legal requirements,
research standards, supervision and training, maintenance
of records and disposal of data, ethical practice and
publication practice.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is taken very seriously in the college. To this end,
the college has produced a document, RCSI Statement
on the Handling of Allegations of Research Misconduct,
which can be viewed on the college website. Research
misconduct involves the intent of a researcher to deceive
others; including the fabrication of research, illegal use of
another researcher’s data and plagiarism of written work.
Procedures have been put in place to deal with allegations
of research misconduct should they transpire.
Acknowledgments:
Some of the handbook material was borrowed from
the RCSI Student Services and International Students
Information Service (IRSIS).
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Notes
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RCSI Postgraduate Student Guide
Notes
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55
RCSI Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá in Éirinn
123 St
Stephen’s Green,
Dublin Guide
2
RCSI
Postgraduate
Student
Tel: +353 1 402 8594
Email: postgraduateschool@rcsi.ie
www.rcsi.ie
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN SURGERY MEDICINE PHARMACY PHYSIOTHERAPY NURSING & MIDWIFERY
RESEARCH LEADERSHIP POSTGRADUATE STUDIES RADIOLOGY DENTISTRY SPORTS & EXERCISE MEDICINE
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