Education, Ph.D. / Ph.D. Distance Learning / M.Phil.

A PhD or MPhil in Education enables you to undertake a substantial research project led by your own passions and interests. The PhD takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time. You submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating original research with a significant contribution to the field of Education.

This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva). Working at an elite academic level, you will conduct original research. The research strengths of the School reside around six main areas of scholarship: Early childhood Digital skills Widening participation Leadership Professional Learning (including Additional Learning Needs) Teacher Education Parental and Family engagement with learning According to the most recent Research Excellence Framework in 2021, over 81% of the research in Education, Sociology and social policy was of international or world-leading quality.

All academic staff hold doctorates and are research active. The research profile of the department represents both a breadth and depth of interests within the field of education and those holding more senior posts have an international research profile with a strong track record of securing research income. Most staff have successfully supervised post-graduate students to completion and have a range of expertise within the discipline.

As a PhD/MPhil student you will develop and refine the research skills needed for high-level work in the field of Education, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the Postgraduate conference. You may also have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, for which you receive training and payment.

We also offer a Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) which is designed for those who would like to study education part-time at doctoral level. Many EdD students will be teachers or senior leaders in schools, or will be working in the field of education more broadly. The EdD is a research-led programme comprising of taught and research phases, offering students the opportunity to approach issues in education in a professional and critical manner while being supported by academics with international reputations of excellence.

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