PhD and MPhil in Education

Our research students form a very active and varied group of researchers in Education from many different parts of the world and professional backgrounds. These researchers are supported by staff from one of the most successful and eminent Schools of Education in the UK.

The quality of our research degrees is greatly influenced by the quality of our overall research activity; the Graduate School of Education is ranked 5th in the UK for world leading and internationally excellent research (RAE 2008)*.

As an Exeter research student, you will be able to participate in the School’s annual staff-student conference; external conferences; and the School’s research seminar series, which enables contact with prominent external researchers/leaders in their specialist field (online podcast of seminars available for distance and part time students) – you can even choose to join some of the academic research groups within the School, as well as undertake some small scale research/teaching during your studies.

The Exeter PhD offers you an in-depth grounding in educational research methodologies and methods by ESRC recognised training programme with the aim of preparing rounded educational researchers.

Which study option is best for you?

^{* RAE 2008 based on percentage of research categorised as 4* and 3*}

Course & Modules

Four-year PhD: 1+3 years = four years (full-time only)

This includes as its first year the generic research training (MSc in Educational Research). The MSc provides the research training that is required for carrying out research in the PhD phase of the programme. Following successful completion of the MSc, you can concentrate on personal research as guided by your supervisors.

MPhil/PhD: three years, up to four years full-time; six years, up to seven part-time

You can register for an MPhil and undertake the generic research training (currently four taught MSc research training modules) in year 1 terms 1 and 2. During this time you will work with your supervisors on a personal research programme and submit a conversion paper (research plan) which, if successful, then allows you to transfer from the MPhil to a PhD programme.

PhD Direct Entry: three years, up to four years full-time; six years up to seven part-time

Only students who have already completed our MSc in Educational Research or a similar programme and may apply to register directly onto the three-year PhD.
 

Programme Structure

Teaching & Assessment

You will have regular contact with your coordinating supervisor in terms 1 and 2 or until you have been allocated your two supervisors. In addition, you will have a research mentor who you’ll meet regularly from the start of your programme. This holistic approach to support through dual supervision enables supervision in content areas and methodologies relevant to your research, and the opportunity for a personal mentor.

The programme offers you a rich variety of learning methods, including: online learning groups; campus sessions; tutor lectures/presentations; workshops; group work; student presentations. There is also a supplementary programme for students for whom English is a second language during the MSc phase.

In terms of assessment, the variety of methods includes: varied individual and group formative assessment by tutor feedback; peer feedback in online group; and summative assignments that enable you to focus on your own particular areas of interest.

Students working on campus are supported by a Research Support Unit (RSU) providing 24hour access work space, ICT facilities and a technician. The RSU can also loan equipment to support your research (e.g. laptops, video cameras, tape recorders and transcribers). You will have access to a dedicated space for social gathering in addition to your own work space, where you can network and share experiences with a large and diverse community of fellow educational research students.

You can access further support for your research from the School of Education and Lifelong Learning's Virtual Research Centre. This is an internet site and is available to all our research students wherever they are in the world. It provides direct links to the university's electronic library as well as recordings of the MSc lectures and interviews with staff about a number of topics relevant to your work.

Fees & Funding

The fees for October 2010 are as follows

• Full-time: Home/EU £3,500/yr; International £11,100/yr
• Part-time: Home/EU £1,750/yr; International £5,500/yr

Doctorial Programme Student Hardship Scheme

The School makes some limited provision available to support research students (in the research phase of their studies) who find themselves in unexpected financial difficulty. Priority will be given to those who are nearing submission. To apply, complete a Doctorial Programme Student Hardship Scheme application held on the Graduate School of Education Accounts & Finance home page. Visit the University's Scholarships, bursaries and studentships pages to find out about other available funding opportunities.

Careers

Graduates of the programme benefit from potential career advancement as well as personal and professional learning; many return to existing academic posts, move into academic or research posts, or continue in their education or related professional options.

Entry Requirements

You will be expected to have obtained a first degree equivalent to at least a UK 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area such as social sciences, humanities or management.

If English is not your first language you will need to submit, before starting a programme, evidence of a good command of English. For students completing the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), this means an overall score of at least 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in the writing section, and no less than 5.0 in any other section.

Academic Staff

Staff throughout the School can supervise MPhil and PhD students; find out about our staff research interests.

Student Experience

Mahmoud Mohammad Sayed Abdallah is currently studying for an MPhil/PhD in Education (TESOL). Prior to joining the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, Mahmoud completed a BA in Literature and Education (English Section) at the Assiut University College of Education in Egypt.

"I was appointed as a teacher of English immediately after finishing my undergraduate study, and based on my total average high score, I was selected to work as Assistant Lecturer at the Curriculum and Instruction Dept. (TESOL/TEFL) at the College of Education, Assiut University, Egypt.

I decided to continue my professional studies in the UK and chose Exeter because of its excellent international reputation and well-informed, professional tutors and advisors, like Dr Malcolm MacDonald. It was Malcolm who used to encourage me through email exchanges from Egypt to the UK and who did his best after I came here to help me to modify my preliminary proposal and turn it into a well-written and argued conversion paper. He guided me in a very motivating way to the right books and resources. 

Professor Rupert Wegerif - who for me, represents the ideal professor of research and whose simple and encouraging style of supervision helped me to learn so many things; and Professor Elizabeth Wood who was a perfect tutor during the MSc courses and who did her best to care for her students, especially those from overseas.

Many of my Egyptian colleagues speak highly about the University and the School of Education when I talk to them via email. I like the Education seminars and learning about the innovations taking place in the TESOL field. I also enjoy the cooperative atmosphere amongst the TESOL group. I've been able to attend many conferences while I've been here, especially those related to developing postgraduate students’ research and professional skills

University life here is so enjoyable and the university facilitates anything to enable students achieve the optimal learning outcomes. When a student is stuck or something, always there’s a way to sort it out for him/her. 

Natural scenes are unique in Devon in general and Exeter in particular and the research facilities available here are very good. Exeter is nice place where one can enjoy life and live in the context of a lovely city and cooperative and kind people.

There are many factors which make the University of Exeter a unique place to study:

• encouraging atmosphere
• marvellous scenes and fantastic places
• very good resources
• excellent, attractive and flexible website
• some rare majors, such as Arab and Islamic studies
• unique location 

When I've finished my PhD, I'd like to stay here in the UK or work in the school if possible. I may even decide to return home to Egypt so my college can benefit from the experience I've gained at Exeter."

Current Student Locations

This Google map shows the approximate distribution of students currently registered on this course.
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