Education

Entry requirements

An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) and normally a merit at MSc/MA level (or equivalent).

Months of entry

September

Course content

A PhD is focused on carrying out research that leads to a dissertation of 80,000 words. With the support of academic supervisors to guide you, you will undertake research training then design and conduct your own research project.

We offer high-quality supervision by internationally recognised scholars in areas including educational psychology, education policy, sociology of education, higher education, teaching and learning in schools, professional development, learning in the city, non-formal education, lifelong learning and assessment.

Academic staff include experienced researchers with methodological expertise in advanced quantitative methods, experimental methods, a range of qualitative research methods and mixed methods. You will be part of a large, diverse doctoral community in an atmosphere that is exciting, creative and welcoming.

You can expect:

• membership of a research centre, network and/or faculty-wide research group that includes staff and postgraduate researchers;
• a minimum of four taught research methods accredited by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC);
• networking opportunities with other doctoral researchers across disciplines and neighbouring universities through membership of the South West Doctoral Training Partnership and Bristol Doctoral College;
• support for attending conferences and publishing research;
• opportunities to apply for short-term paid research assistant and teaching assistant roles;
• access to professional development and short training courses tailored for postgraduate researchers;
• access to a dedicated school library on site, faculty and other University libraries;
• modern and well-appointed study spaces within the School of Education and in the wider university;
• opportunities to participate in seminars (often featuring national and international visitors), research student seminars, reading groups and specialist methodological workshops