Higher Education

Entry requirements

A good honours degree or Master’s degree in a subject relevant to your proposed research topic. We strongly recommend that you contact the Curriculum and Educational Development Team to discuss your plans before making a formal application.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

The Curriculum and Educational Development Team (CEDT) draws on expertise from its core staff as well as researchers across the University, so we can offer high-quality PhD supervision; we work very carefully to match you with a supervisory panel that suits your interests and ambitions. There are further details on the research activities and publications of individual members of staff on the Curriculum and Educational Development website.

In addition to regular meetings with supervisors, all research students take part in a tailored research training programme, which can include research methods modules offered by CEDT or by other schools, as appropriate. As well as attending the regular research seminars offered by CEDT, you are encouraged to participate in the seminars, workshops, newer researcher networks and masterclasses offered by the scholarly bodies in the discipline, such as the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE).

About the Curriculum and Educational Development Team

The Curriculum and Educational Development (CEDT) provides a base for postgraduate provision with a distinctive focus on the field of Higher Education. CEDT is also a focal point for research in this area, supported by seminars and events to which all postgraduate students and staff are warmly welcomed.

We offer a taught PCert and a PhD in Higher Education. The PCert is designed for you to select subject matter according to your own professional interests and role. The emphasis throughout is on developing an understanding of the higher education context, the diversity of provision and the implications for all aspects of academic work in the 21st century.

The PhD programme, offered on a full-time or part-time basis, is designed for those with a professional or scholarly interest in higher education who wish to develop as independent researchers in the field. Students on our programmes come from a wide range of subject backgrounds and bring a rich variety of experiences to their work, resulting in a lively interdisciplinary dimension to taught modules and opportunities for debate.

Please note that we are unable to offer tuition or supervision in relation to other phases of education (e.g. schools)or to School teacher education or teaching English as a foreign language.

Information for international students

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information for your country. Please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

Please visit our funding web pages for the most current information and application details.