As the Deputy is aware, in the context of discussion with my Department regarding overall funding and proposals for fee changes at a sectoral level, third level institutions are autonomous bodies and may determine the level of fees to be charged in cases where the Free Fees Schemes do not apply. As such, post-graduate level fees are set by individual higher education institutions.
In the 2009/10 academic year, PhD fees at University College Dublin for the first three years of studies are €5,200 per annum for Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines and €5,800 per annum for Science and Engineering disciplines. UCD had a historical practice of reducing the fees after the third year to half the standard fee. This was on the basis that the traditional PhD was normally expected to be completed within 3 years, while acknowledging that students may require additional time to complete their thesis.
The traditional PhD model is changing and institutions in Ireland are now moving to a structured 4-year programme model. The PhD thesis will remain the primary focus but students will also receive generic and transferable skills training. This is in line with trends internationally. As part of its structured PhD programmes, UCD provides taught modules, online modules and workshops covering a wide range of transferable skills, including project management, time management, team working and communication skills. UCD reviewed its fee structures in 2007 and determined that the full fee should apply to all years of the PhD as a result of this shift to 4 year programmes. It was initially intended that this would be effective from the 2009/10 academic year, however, this was postponed until the 2010/11 academic year to ensure students were given adequate notice.
