PhD Business Information Systems

The PhD Business Information Systems (BIS) is a full-time programme taken over four years (48 months) from the date of first registration for the programme.

The PhD Business Information Systems (BIS) degree programme aims to enable students become proficient in research and development skills in the Information Systems field. 

Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of concentration, as well as the problem solving and analysis skills that will enable them make significant innovative contributions to the Information Systems field.

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically discuss both seminal and emerging Information Systems research issues and topics;
• Critically analyse research literature in the Information Systems field in order to identify and articulate gaps in current knowledge;
• Identify and synthesise relevant literature to effectively theorise Information Systems phenomena;
• Select, articulate and justify methodological choices for achieving particular research objectives in the Information Systems field;
• Conduct empirical research through the gathering and analysis of data in a fashion commensurate with the highest international academic standards of methodological rigour and transparency;
• Effectively document and communicate the context, objectives, methodology, findings and implications of original research;
• Make an original and significant contribution to the Information Systems research literature based on empirical research;
• Clearly describe the academic and practical contributions and implications of their research, the limitations of their research, and appropriate directions for future research.

Practicalities

The programme contains a number of components that support the student's PhD research and thesis submission. Part I is designed to familiarise students with the research topics, issues and methods underpinning Information Systems research at the PhD level. Part II provides modules designed to assist students in refining the research topics they began developing in Part I, culminating in the presentation and defence of their thesis proposal. Part III focuses on conducting the thesis research and on the writing of the thesis. 

Please note:
Due to the taught nature of Year 1 of the programme, students enrolling in Year 1 must be available to participate in taught modules on the first day of Semester 1 in the appropriate year.

Assessment

The primary determinant for the award of PhD (Business Information Systems) is the submission, successful examination and defence of a satisfactory thesis.

irish/EU Students

A candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary or Masters degree to gain entry to the programme.

More Detail visit the Graduate Studies Office website. 

International Students

Below is a checklist of documents that must be provided with your application - click on this to download a printer-friendly version.

A candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary or Masters degree to gain entry to the programme

English Language Requirement

• IELTS: 6.5- with no individual section lower than 5.5
• TOEFL: 90 - with minimum scores as follows: Listening- 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 17
• Cambridge Proficiency Exam: Grade C
• Cambridge Advanced Exam: Grade B
• Pearson PTE: Minimum Score of 63 with no section score below 59

More Detail visit the International Office website. 

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STEPS IN APPLICATION FOR PHD PROGRAMME

• Dr Karen Neville at [email protected] or +353 (0)21 4658612 for initial inquiry.
• Students apply at the online application portal.
• You will need to apply at least three months in advance of your estimated start date.
• There is a single start date each year for PhD BIS students: September (start of teaching semester 1).

More Detail visit the Graduate Studies Office website.