PhD/MPhil Education

Researchers in the School of Education are committed to investigating and advancing social justice within and through education. You will undertake your doctoral study in a supportive international and interdisciplinary research community.

The school has over 200 years of experience in educational research and draws researchers and teachers whose work addresses current issues affecting educational practitioners, theory, institutions and systems. Our researchers have strong relationships with local and international organisations, and you will work with two supervisors who share interest in your field.

Education research areas include:

Entry to our postgraduate research programme is competitive and having a strong research proposal is therefore very important.

A PhD is awarded on the successful completion of supervised research, verbal examination and final thesis. An MPhil, which is narrower in scope, is awarded on the successful completion of supervised research and submission of a final thesis.

Full-time doctoral students should meet with their supervisors at least 10 times each year. Part-time doctoral students should meet with their supervisors at least 6 times each year.

PhD students must submit and verbally defend a thesis (maximum 100,000 words), demonstrating to the examiners' satisfaction a knowledgeable and original contribution to the field(s) of scholarship and research.

MPhil students must submit a thesis (maximum 60,000 words), presenting the results of their scholarship and research. The thesis must demonstrate to the examiners' satisfaction advanced knowledge in the field(s) of scholarship and research. In some cases, examiners may require a verbal examination of the thesis.

All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a 12,000-word Confirmation of Studies Review within one year of full-time study, or 24 months of part-time study. Confirmation of Status is approved on the basis of the written paper and a verbal defence with an examiner assigned from within the school.

All doctoral students are required to submit an annual review at the end of each academic year.

All research students in the School of Education have access to a range of free short courses and research training events offered by the school and the university's Researcher Academy.

First-year PhD students are also required to complete the school's doctoral training programme during the first year of their study.

You may also apply to the Researcher Academy and School of Education for financial support to attend training that is necessary beyond the university.