1. Fourth Level Ireland Network
Westley Forsythe, IUA
Monday 21 September
2009

2. Policy development

3. Structured PhD programmes
‘Structured’ programme (incorporating ‘apprenticeship’)
Groups of students – possibility of multi-HEIs
PhD Thesis
Generic & disciplinary skills embedded in education
Normally four years
Thesis remains the basis on which the award is made
‘Apprenticeship model’
Lone or small groups of students – one HEI
PhD Thesis
Generic/transferable skills - an ‘extra’
Typically three years

4. Structured programmes funded by…
Higher Education Authority
(i) SIF
(ii) PRTLI
Research Councils’ GREPS
Dept. of Agriculture
Health Research Board

5. Fourth Level Network
SIF funded
Deans of Graduate Education in all universities

6. Achievements
ECTS agreement
Irish Universities Graduate Student skills statement
Collaborative promotion of Irish graduate education
Share good practice
Point of contact for funders and those developing and delivering graduate education

7. Challenges
Maintenance of quality
Four year stipends
Avoidance of a two tier system
‘Co-opetition’: Does not encourage sharing of good practice; undermines collaborative approach
Inter-institutional arrangements: ECTS, QA mechanisms (IUQB National guidelines)
Defined authority and role of the Network?