Overview

Introduction and programme outline

Research in the department is organised into three main areas of Education and Social Justice, Language Learning, Science Education and Psychology in Education and we particularly welcome research proposals in these areas. However, research proposals on a wide range of topics are considered; please see staff research interests and a list of research topics where they would welcome applications.  Staff at the Institute for Effective Education (IEE) and at the Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) also offer PhD supervision as part of our PhD programme, and the research topics of relevant IEE and CELT staff have been included in this list.

The degrees of MPhil and PhD provide an opportunity to conduct a substantial in-depth study of a topic of interest to the applicant. Both degrees are offered on either a full-time basis (two years for MPhil, three years for PhD) or part-time basis (four years for MPhil and six years for PhD).

Supervision

The research is carried out with advice and guidance from a supervisor. Supervisors will facilitate the necessary reading, the development and conduct of the study, and the writing up of the thesis. For part-time students, supervision will normally occur at least twice each term. Each student will also have the support of a thesis advisory group, which will involve other staff in the department who are able to offer the student additional advice and guidance. There are no formal procedural requirements for written work during the period of study except for thesis advisory group meetings.

Assessment

The degree is awarded following successful examination of a thesis submitted at the end of the period of study. An MPhil thesis is normally about 55,000 words in length and a PhD thesis about 80,000 words.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in an appropriate subject or a master's degree (MA, MSc or MEd), although candidates with other evidence of ability to succeed at PhD level will also be considered.

Applicants may apply to register from the beginning of any academic term.

Research students embarking on a PhD programme will normally be enrolled provisionally for that degree.  Confirmation of PhD enrolment will be considered within 18 months (for full-time students) or within 3 years (for part-time students) once evidence of good progress is established.

English language proficiency to IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component); TOEFL IBT 87 (with a minumum of 21 in each component) is a prerequisite for entry to the programme for those whose first language is not English.

Our MPhil and PhD research students in recent years have come both from the United Kingdom and from many overseas countries. Many of our overseas students have chosen to conduct studies which involve collecting fieldwork data in their home country. Proposals to conduct a study which involves collecting fieldwork data overseas are welcomed.

Information on the application procedure can be found at the University postgraduate pages.

Research training and facilities

RESEARCH TRAINING AND FACILITIES

PhD students are offered a variety of research training opportunities, in order to equip them with both research skills and transferable skills. These skills are increasingly important, both in academia and for employability. These events also provide opportunities for socialising and networking with fellow students and academics.

Research Methods in Education

All MPhil and PhD students are invited to attend the Research Methods in Education module or the Research Methods in Language Learning and Teaching module during their first year. These modules are taught by active researchers , and introduce a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods. 

Educational Research Group

MPhil and PhD students are expected to attend the Educational Research Group meetings. This Group comprises staff and research students in the Department, and meets on 3 or 4 occasions each term to discuss on-going research activities and issues.

Advanced Research Methods and Skills (ARMS)

The monthly Advanced Research Methods and Skills programme presents research methods and skills that students can use for their own research, or can read about in the literature. Speakers are experts from the Department, the Institute for Effective Education and White Rose institutions. The approach is hands-on and interactive, although theoretical issues are also discussed.

Research Troubleshooting Workshop

The monthly student-led Research Troubleshooting Workshop provides students with an opportunity to discuss issues and challenges arising from their research with fellow students, staff and external experts. Students provide a description of their issues in advance, and issues are then discussed during the workshops.

Researcher Development Training Programme

MPhil and PhD students can attend courses offered by the university’s Research Development Team. These include various research and transferable skills, from research grant writing, to software use, to team-work, as well as PhD-specific skills such as preparing for the upgrade and writing a thesis.

Research facilities

Besides the facilities offered within the Department, MPhil and PhD students also have access to the research facilities offered by the Alcuin Research Resource Centre (ARRC). The Centre provides facilities and services for data collection and analysis, such as an interview room and a focus room, telephone recording equipment and videoconferencing facilities. The Centre is sponsored by the Wellcome Trust and the Economic and Social Research Council and caters for the multidisciplinary research community of the White Rose Doctoral Training Centre.