Programme Development, Approval & Review Framework (PDARF)
I want to develop a new Research Degree programme...
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Research Masters
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MD
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Structured PhD
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Thematic Doctoral Programmes
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Academic Secretariat
UCD Registry
Professional Doctorate
The Research Masters (NFQ level 9) is a coherent programme of supervised Masters-level research normally
resulting in the submission of a thesis. It may also include additional personal and professional development
elements that may be provided via specific modules from the advanced educational programme of the University.
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Need help?
programmes@ucd.ie
The MD (NFQ level 10) is a doctoral award offered by the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science. In accordance with national and
international norms, the MD encourages the development of advanced research skills in medical graduates and the medical profession, and is
adapted to the particular circumstances of advanced professional training in that profession. The nature of the preparation for the degree is
similar to other doctoral research degrees, but the programme is normally completed within a shorter period of time, typically two years of
full-time research and study.
The Structured PhD (NFQ level 10) is a programme of supervised research and advanced education and training in a University
approved subject area normally resulting in the submission of a major thesis. It offers PhD students a structured curriculum which enables
them to earn credits for taught modules across a range of areas. If you wish to admit students to a new Structured PhD degree, you do not
need to seek formal University Board approval; you need to consult with your Head of School and Graduate School Board and then talk to
your School Office and Graduate School Office to get the programme set up. Schools, Principal Supervisors and Doctoral Studies Panels can
devise suites of modules that they can make available to students to help structure their programme and narrow its focus to a sub-area of the
approved UCD subject.
Thematic Doctoral Programmes (NFQ level 10) bring together PhD supervisors from different disciplines to establish a programme
of advanced education and research focused on an identified theme. This type of collaboration provides PhD students with an enhanced sense
of community and strengthens their individual research through sharing of seminar series and other modules. These programmes are
especially useful as a vehicle to build a cohort of experts in new and emerging fields of research. Thematic Doctoral Programmes may be
shared between colleges and schools within UCD or may be inter-institutional collaborative programmes.
The Professional Doctorate (NFQ level 10) is a doctoral award that places an emphasis on professional or experience-based
knowledge. The specific aim of the professional doctorate is to link academic taught and research activity with professional practice.
Professional practice (either clinical practice or work experience) is normally integrated into either the taught activity or the research activity of
the programme. Professional accrediting bodies play a critical role in shaping the structure, content and duration of professional doctorates.
Professional accreditation requirements must be taken into account in the course of developing such programmes. Each professional doctorate
programme must have its own Academic Regulations which clearly address the specific professional requirements that define each professional
doctorate award.
Programme Development, Approval & Review Framework (PDARF)
Academic Secretariat
UCD Registry
I want to develop a new Research Degree programme...
If you would like to develop a new Research Degree Programme, information and support is available from your Graduate School
Director, the UCD Graduate Studies Office and programmes@ucd.ie.
FORMS: NEW PROGRAMME PROPOSAL
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In order to develop a new Research Masters Degree, MD, Thematic Doctoral Programme or Professional Doctorate programme,
you will need to complete Forms PDARF2: New Programme Proposal and PDARF3: New Programme Academic Structure
Proposal. The new programme proposal (PDARF2) must be approved by the College Executive and the University Management
Team (UMT) in the first instance. Following that, PDARF3 must be completed and submitted to the relevant Graduate School
Board for review and recommendation, and then to the University Programme Boards (UUPB/UGPB) for final approval. You may
contact programmes@ucd.ie at any point for clarification and advice, and all submissions for the UMT and/or the UPB must be sent
to programmes@ucd.ie.
Form PDARF5: Thematic Doctoral Programme Supplement must also be completed for a new thematic doctoral programme
and attached to PDARF3.
Where your new programme is a collaborative programme, information on developing a collaborative programme, including
information on additional forms for completion can be found on the Academic Secretariat new programmes web page.
Need help?
Contact programmes@ucd.ie
REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
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Academic Regulations
UCD Awards and the National Framework of Qualifications
UCD Level Descriptors
Policy on Theses in Graduate Research Programmes
Code of Practice for Conflict Resolution for Supervisors and Graduate
Research Students
Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Degree Students
Policy on Progression in Doctoral Programmes
UCD Register of Subjects and School Sections
UCD Guidelines on the Development of Thematic Doctoral
Programmes
Guidelines on Professional Doctorates
POINTS OF CONTACT
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Specific information about the MD Degree
can be obtained from the UCD School of
Medicine and Medical Science.
UCD Teaching and Learning: Programme
Design and Development
UCD Graduate Studies Office
College Liaison