The PhD (Texts, Contexts and Cultures) (TCC) is a full-time inter-institutional inter-disciplinary thematic structured PhD programme running over 48 months from the date of first registration for the programme, and is co-ordinated with NUIG and TCD.

In the case of the PhD (Texts, Contexts and Culture) (TCC), a candidate must have attained a 2H1 BA (Hons) Degree in an Arts or Humanities subject. In addition, candidates must submit a 1,000 word research proposal demonstrating their writing skills and interest in the area for the approval by the primary supervisor and the relevant University TCC Board.

Students registered at UCC are required to complete core, training and career development modules worth at least 60 credits over the course of the programme. These will be accumulated in the first year by taking three 10-credit core modules offered in UCC, NUIG and TCD. These core modules, which are specialised in nature, provide advanced training in the specific methodologies of studying texts, contexts and cultures. In some cases, suitable elective module(s) from other arts and humanities programmes may also be taken in lieu of one of these; such module(s) must be relevant to the dissertation topic and can only be taken with the permission of the TCC Co-ordinator, the agreement of the Module Co-ordinator and with the approval of the relevant head of department.

Students will, in addition, acquire a further 10 credits by taking standard generic training modules from the range of such courses available at UCC, as advised by the TCC Board.

At the end of Year 1, students must thus have undertaken at least 40 credits of coursework, and must have made good progress on developing their thesis topic, and have had their research proposal and preliminary thesis work approved by the TCC board.

In Years 2 - 3, UCC students must complete a research portfolio, worth 10 credits, which reflects development of key relevant research skills through attendance and participation at seminars, workshops and conferences, followed by reflection and recording of skills acquired.

In Year 3 a 10-credit job placement and career development module will have to be undertaken, involving a three month professional placement with a cultural or business organisation. In this case, PhD students will gain first-hand experience outside the academic environment, thereby enhancing their skills and career development. In some cases, students with an interest in pursuing academic careers may be provided with an opportunity to enhance their skills set by undertaking academic work such as giving tutorials, generally at their college of registration.

The programmes schedule is as follows:

Year 1
AH7003 History of the Book (10 credits)
AH7006 Critical Thinking 1500-1800 (Texts, Contexts and Cultures) (10 credits)
AH7007 Critical Thinking 1800-2000 (10 credits)

One of these core modules may be replaced by an elective Postgraduate humanities module(s) available at UCC, e.g. a specialist course such as language training germane to the proposed PhD topic may be agreed.

UCC registered PhD students will also take Generic Training Modules (PG-coded) to the value of 10 credits.

For the remainder of Year 1, the student will be undertaking research to an equivalent workload value of 50 credits. To progress to Year 2, the submission of a full PhD proposal and draft chapter will be submitted to the TCC Board, and must be approved before progression to Year 2.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Year 2
The student completes research relating to their thesis topic to an equivalent workload value of 90 credits, including writing and attendance at conferences and seminars as recommended by the TCC Board and Supervisor(s).

Year 3
The student completes research relating to their thesis topic to an equivalent workload value of 70 credits, including writing and attendance at conferences and seminars as recommended by the TCC Board and Supervisor(s). In addition, the development of research skills in Years 2 and 3 (e.g. through conference and seminar participation) will be recorded and assessed through a research skills portfolio module AH7004 (10 credits), and students will also undertake a work placement module AH7005 (10 credits). These modules have to be completed and passed before the students can submit his/her thesis.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Year 4
The student completes research to an equivalent workload value of 90 credits, leading to the completion and submission of the dissertation (normally around 80,000 words) in accordance with the regulations laid out in UCC Marks and Standards either at the end of Year 4 or at the earliest possible opportunity thereafter.

Apart from the possibility of having co-supervisors (being inter-disciplinary) and the possibility of having doctoral advisors off campus (being an inter-university programme with NUIG and TCD), UCC students undertaking TCC will in all other respects operate under the normal requirements governing the PhD degree at UCC.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2017/2018.

See also under the General Regulations for the PhD Degree.