The MRes is a full-time programme running over 12 months (or a part-time programme running over 24 months), from the date of first registration for the programme. The programme consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules on generic and transferable skills.

To be considered for registration as an MRes candidate, an applicant will normally have a primary degree at Second Class Honours level Grade 1 or equivalent.

Students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12 month programme (or pro rata part-time), the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 25,000 words. In parallel, students must undertake and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits. Students will also undertake work on the research thesis comprising a notional student workload equivalent to 70 credits in one of the following subject areas:

Applied Social Studies
Béaloideas
*Classics
*Digital Arts and Humanities
Drama and Theatre Studies
*English
Film and Screen Media
Folklore
French
German
Geography
*Government and Politics
*History
History of Art
Italian
*Mathematical Studies
Modern Irish
Music
Philosophy
Sociology
Spanish
Study of Religions

Students take 20 credits as follows:
PG6004 Getting Started with Graduate Research and Generic Skills (5 credits)
¹PG6009 Graduate Information Literacy Skills (5 credits)
²PG6016 Self-Directed Research Journal and Presentation Skills (5 credits)

and either
PG6008 Qualitative Data Analysis and Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software for the Social Sciences and Humanities (5 credits)
or
PG6010 Contemporary Practices in Publishing and Editing (5 credits)
or
PG6011 Digital Skills for Research Postgraduates in the Humanities and Social Sciences (5 credits)

*Classics
² Classics students may take GR6005 Language Topic (5 credits) instead of PG6016.

*Digital Arts and Humanities
Students taking Digital Arts and Humanities take the following 20 credits:
PG6004 Getting Started with Graduate Research and Generic Skills (5 credits)
PG6009 Graduate Information Literacy Skills (5 credits)
plus one of the following 10 credit modules:
DH6033 Conceptual Introduction to Digital Arts and Humanities (10 credits)
DH6034 Humanities and New Technologies: Tools and Methodologies (10 credits)
or one of the 10 credit modules from English listed below.

*English
Students taking English may take one 10-credit EN60XX module (or FX6010) chosen in consultation with the School of English and subject to the module running that year. Students who take a 10-credit EN60XX/FX6010 module do not take PG6009 and PG6016.

*Government and Politics
Government and Politics students may take GV6118 Political Science Research Methods (10 credits) and/or GV6125 Political Science Fundamentals (5 credits).

*History
^{1, 2} History students may take 10 credits of Latin chosen in consultation with the School of History. Students who take 10 credits of Latin, do not take PG6009 and PG6016.

*Mathematical Studies
Mathematical Studies students take:
PG6004 Getting Started with Graduate Research and Generic Skills (5 credits)
PG6016 Self-Directed Research Journal and Presentation Skills (5 credits)
plus 10 credits from the following:
AM6005 Nonlinear Dynamics (5 credits)
AM6014 Mathematical Modelling for Biological and Environmental Sciences (5 credits)
ED7102 Educational Research Methods (5 credits)
ST6013 Statistics and Data Analysis for Postgraduate Research Students (10 credits)

See also Procedures for Submission and Examination of Research Masters Degrees.

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

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MRes (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Carry out a sustained research project on an original topic and write up the results;
• Display an independent approach to critical analysis and evaluation;
• Write critically, logically, and systematically, using proper citation in keeping with standards of postgraduate research;
• Articulate their skills set and skills that they need to acquire;
• Develop individual research strategies and produce literature reviews and critical bibliographies;
• Develop effective strategies to locate, access and critically evaluate relevant information;
• Develop effective approaches to keep up to date with the latest research in their area;
• Identify the appropriate presentation skills for a variety of purposes and organize and deliver an oral presentation based on their dissertation topic;
• Avail of relevant technical skills (e.g. digital, editing) acquired in the modules and research project.