Research degrees
The full-time and part-time PhD programmes in education involve substantial original research leading to the production of a thesis that constitutes a genuine contribution to knowledge. The maximum length of the PhD thesis is 80,000 words. Assessment is based on the thesis and an oral examination.
Full-time and part-time MPhil programmes in education also involve independent research, but the duration is shorter and the research project narrower in scope. It is normally taken as an end in itself, although where the level of research develops to a standard beyond what was originally envisaged it is open to the candidate to apply for transfer to PhD. The MPhil thesis is 40,000 words long and there is not the same emphasis on originality as in the doctoral programme. Assessment is based on the thesis and an oral examination.
Length of PhD and MPhil Programmes
Completion of a PhD normally takes three/ four years of full-time study (including the probationary year). Where a student starts with a well-developed proposal, previous research training and makes substantial progress during the probationary year, completion within three years is possible.
- PhD - 3/4 years full-time or 6/8 years part-time
- MPhil - 1 year full time or 2 years part-time
- MSc in Educational Research - 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
- MSc in Educational Research leading to PhD - 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time
- MPhil leading to PhD - 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
Supervision
The PhD and MPhil postgraduate programmes are based on supervised independent research. The student-supervisor relationship sits at the heart of these programmes. In addition to personal supervision our graduate research students each have a second supervisor as part of a supervisory panel which increases the breadth of expertise available to the student and widens the informational and networking opportunities accessible to them.
Progression
All research students are assigned a research panel in their School/Subject area that meets twice a year to monitor your progress and complete your six monthly progress report. The panel membership will include your supervisor and co-supervisor and on occasions an additional advisor who are appointed either because they have specialist knowledge of some aspect of the student's research or because they are experienced PhD supervisors and examiners whose general expertise is likely to be useful. In the case of split-site PhDs, the panel will include representation from both institutions.
Students have a formal review of progress carried out six monthly throughout their prescribed programme of study and during the submission pending period. This takes the form of a written Progress Report which is completed by both the student and supervisor and also signed by the co-supervisor. Students will only be able to progress to submission pending when they have completed their research. If at the end of the prescribed programme the student has not completed their research they will be required to register for either six or twelve months paying the full fees for the recommended extension to their prescribed programme.
In addition to the six monthly progress reports, progress from the probationary period (one year for full-time, two years for part-time students) is dependent on satisfactory performance. Students are required to attend a PhD Review Panel where they are expected to present and defend their research plan and submit their training report detailing the training undertaken. MPhil students who wish to transfer to PhD are also required to present to the Panel. The Panel's recommendations are reported to the School Committee and written feedback is provided to assist the supervisor and the student.
Research students have their own dedicated room equipped with computer facilities. They partake in a thriving research culture, attend regular research seminars a number will have a strong emphasis on methodological issues but will also be aimed at informing research students about, and engaging them with, ongoing research within the School. In addition, research students will have opportunities to present their own work and receive feedback on it. Research students meet regularly with supervisors, and with the Post-Graduate Research Director. Many of our research students undertake some teaching within the School.