PhD Scholarships in Theology, Philosophy, and Music

Funding for: Irish students, UK Students, EU Students, International Students

Start date: 23^rd March 2026

Four-year PhD Scholarships are available for excellent scholars with a strong research proposal in the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music at Dublin City University.

Applications are invited in:

• Theology and Religious Studies
• Philosophy and Ethics
• Music

Funding covers fees for 4 years, and an annual stipend of €25,000. Students will become part of a vibrant interdisciplinary academic community, and will have opportunities in research training, mentoring toward publication and grant writing, as well as support for dissemination of research.

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music is a dynamic and creative learning environment with a strong commitment to world-class research and to social and cultural engagement. The academic study of theology, philosophy, and music in DCU takes place within a multidisciplinary context, with internationally recognised staff who have distinguished records in research and teaching. 

Eligibility: Applicants must have an undergraduate degree at first-class honours level or at least 2.1 level in the relevant subject area. It is desirable that candidates hold a relevant Master’s qualification. Candidates who are currently completing a Master’s qualification are welcome to apply.

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music is interested in receiving research proposals in the following areas: 

• (1) Topics in Theology and Religious Studies:
• Systematic Theology
• Political and Philosophical Theology
• Intersection of Theology, Philosophy, Music, and Ethics
• Textual History and Religious Aspects of Semitic languages
• Hebrew Bible/Old Testament; Reception History of the Old Testament
• New Testament and Early Christianity
• Comparative Sacred Texts
• Interreligious Dialogue
• Theological Ethics
• (2) Topics in Philosophy and Ethics:

• Phenomenology
• Early Modern Philosophy
• Historiography of Western Philosophy
• Philosophical Ethics
• Environmental Ethics
• Bioethics
• AI Ethics

• (3) Topics in Music:
• Music in Digital Cultures (including AI)
• Electroacoustic Music/Sound Studies
• Music, Technology, and Higher Education
• Music and Arts Infrastructure
• Choral Studies
• Historical Musicology
• Applied Musicology
• Contemporary Music
• Music Cognition
• Jazz Musicology

In advance of the deadline, interested applicants should make informal contact with an academic staff member of the School whose research area covers their proposed doctoral work. Applicants should not contact more than one staff member simultaneously.

General questions can be directed to the School PhD Convenor, Dr. Miriam De Cock (miriamjane.decock@dcu.ie)

How to apply

The Closing date for applications is 17:00 (Irish time on Monday 23^RD March 2026. Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be in April (online). Applications should include the following:

• A cover letter from the applicant outlining their suitability for the scholarship.
• A CV, including names and contact details of two academic referees that may be contacted.
• A copy of undergraduate and postgraduate degree certificates.
• Copies of transcripts from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• A research proposal of ca. 2,000 words, accompanied by a bibliography (which is not included in the word count). See School website for guidance on writing a research proposal.
• Evidence of English language proficiency (as required)
• Your permission to submit your proposal to the University’s text matching facility for checking.

Applications should be submitted by the due date by email to tpm@dcu.ie with the subject line ‘PhD Scholarship’.

Please note: Following an offer of a scholarship, successful applicants will apply to register with the University through the University’s Student Application Portal, and must meet all the entry requirements of the University. See: www.dcu.ie/registry/making-postgraduate-research-application

Important Information:

Applications will be deemed ineligible in all cases where they:

• Do not meet all the entry requirements.
• Do not contain all the required elements completed in full with the names and contact details of two academic referees and academic transcripts.
• Are not submitted before 17:00 (Irish Time) 23^rd March 2026.
• Include material other than that requested.
• Show evidence of plagiarism.
• Contain any false, misleading or unverifiable information.
• Are generated with the help of AI/GenAI.

NB: If canvassing on behalf of applicants occurs, their applications will not be considered.

After Submitting your Application:

Your application will be assessed. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited to an online interview. Final decisions will be communicated to applicants shortly afterwards.

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