NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR DOCTORAL EDUCATION The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 (2011) and the National Prioritisation Research Exercise report (2011) recommended the development of a National Framework for Doctoral Education.

The Honourable Schoolboy

http://www.hea.ie/sites/default/files/national_framework_for_doctoral_education_0.pdf

The HEA and QQI have developed the Framework with key stakeholders including IUA, IOTI and DIT. The purpose of this Framework for the development of Irish doctoral education is, , inter alia,  to facilitate consistent and enhanced excellence in the quality of doctoral education and training including Masters Research in order to ensure that Ireland has high quality, international standard PhD programmes.

The Framework mainframes best practices in structured PhD programmes developed by Irish higher-education institutions. Its principles commits the key stakeholders in Irish graduate education and research to the highest standards in the provision of doctoral education and research. Research funders are also committed to supporting the principles articulated in the Framework.