PhD Home Economics

The PhD Home Economics is a four-year full-time or six-year part-time programme delivered by the School of Home Economics, in association with the National Centre of Excellence in Home Economics, ATU St Angelas.

Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified candidates whose research proposal aligns with the School’s research themes.

The programme attracts Home Economists, nationally and internationally, who want to take the next step in developing their expertise and strengthening the research base upon which Home Economics is built. Furthermore, prospective entrants from aligned and cognate disciplines such as the social sciences are most welcome to apply.

PhD candidates in the School of Home Economics work under the supervision of an academic faculty member and will have the support of a Progress Review Panel.

PhD candidates are encouraged and nurtured at ATU St Angelas, they gain valuable transferrable skills as well as completing a research project which makes an original contribution to the field of Home Economics / aligned area unlocking career opportunities in both public and private sector roles.

Applications and Selections

Please complete and submit relevant Application Form(s):

PhD General Application Form

For 2025/26 applications we are delighted to offer the Kappeler Bursary for PhD studies in Home Economics (part-time).

Kappeler Bursary Application Form

Please complete the relevant application form and return to:
Aisling Carty
Administrator
School of Home Economics
T: +353 (0)71 9179545
E: aisling.carty@atu.ie

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

• Applicants to the PhD Home Economics must have a Level 8 or Level 9 degree in Home Economics/aligned discipline with a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 minimum (or equivalent).
• Potential candidates are invited to discuss a possible PhD research area/topic by making contact with the Head of School of Home Economics, Dr Helen Maguire, by email at helen.maguire@atu.ie.
• Following consultation with supervisor/s assigned by the Head of School, submit an outline research proposal (see Guidelines for Drafting a PhD Research Proposal 2025-2026). A guide for the proposal length is 1,000-2,000 words.
• International students will require a degree of fluency in the English language. An overall test score of minimum 6.5 in the IELTS Academic Test is required for direct entry.

Programme Outline

In the PhD, candidates combine a focused doctoral project, aimed at making an original and publishable contribution to knowledge in the field of Home Economics, with a number of taught modules which support various aspects of the candidate’s research and professional development.

Applications are welcome from individuals whose proposals are directly aligned to research priorities in the School of Home Economics. Home Economics encapsulates three broad areas of study: Family Resource Management, Food Studies, and Textiles, Fashion, and Design. Its disciplinary base encompasses diverse content areas including: diet, nutrition and health promotion; food education and food science; textiles, fashion, craft and design; social, family and childcare studies; consumer literacy; education; family resource management; and sustainable lifestyles, technology and enterprise. Please visit our School of Home Economics Research, in preparation for making an application to ascertain if your research topic is aligned with research expertise and priorities in the School.

Potential candidates are invited to discuss a possible PhD research area/topic by making contact with the Head of School of Home Economics, Dr Helen Maguire by email at helen.maguire@atu.ie.

Why Choose This Programme?

Career Opportunities

Completing a PhD Home Economics will unlock future career opportunities at a high level in a broad range of public and private sector roles. Graduates may move into academic and research roles in Higher Education, continue to post-doctoral research or advance to leading roles in the public sector business/industry or within NGO’s.

Academic Expertise

The School of Home Economics comprising the National Centre of Excellence in Home Economics boasts leading international academic experts in this specialist field with a number of academics holding positions on government advisory groups, Chair positions on internationally recognised committees and memberships of international research teams. Candidates will gain valuable transferrable skills as well as completing a research project which makes an original contribution to the field of Home Economics / aligned research areas.

Supports Available

Research students are encouraged to participate actively in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and to avail of all resources available including: access to office accommodation on campus with computing facilities, access to ATU St Angelas Students Union designated Postgraduate Affairs Officer, access to both The McKeown Library and Yeats Library (ATU Sligo) facilities including all in person and virtual services, dedicated support from ATU St Angelas Academic Writing Centre and monthly access to the Doctoral Roundtable (Support Group).

Programme Fees

Fees: EU
€6,000 p.a. – Full-time
€3,000 p.a. – Part-time

Fees: Tuition
€ (included)

Fees: Student levy
€ (included)

Fees: Non EU
€14,250 p.a.

Find out More

Please contact:

Dr Elaine Mooney
Director
National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics
ATU St Angelas
E: elaine.mooney@atu.ie