PhD

PhD Education

Original research shaping teaching, policy, and learning science

Online only

3–5 years60 creditsEnglish

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Overview

The PhD Education programme supports scholars investigating how people learn and how systems enable or constrain that learning. Research areas include EdTech efficacy, inclusive pedagogy, teacher professional development, and higher-education policy. You will complete doctoral coursework, pass candidacy, and produce a dissertation contributing new knowledge — with pathways for practising educators researching their own institutions.

The 60-credit pathway combines advanced Year 1 coursework with multi-year supervised research. Practitioner-researchers may study problems of practice within their institutions under ethical governance; career academicians focus on theory-building publications and conference dissemination.

Who This Programme Is For

Academics and researchers pursuing university careers
Senior education leaders contributing policy research
EdTech founders evidencing product impact rigorously

Faculty spotlight

Professor Alex Morgan leads learning-sciences research; Dr. Aisha Okonkwo specialises in comparative education in Africa and the UK.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $80 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Design mixed-methods educational research studies
Contribute original findings to peer-reviewed education journals
Translate research into policy and practice recommendations
Supervise postgraduate students in education disciplines

Curriculum

Research training

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-701	Learners and design: Foundations Students design a short learning sequence for a named group of learners. The central problem in Learners and design: Foundations A worked case drawn from Learners and design: Foundations Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Learners and design: Foundations that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-702	Assessment: Cases Students write a task and the criteria that would mark it fairly. The central problem in Assessment: Cases A worked case drawn from Assessment: Cases Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Assessment: Cases that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-703	Leadership of teaching: Practice Students review a programme decision and its effect on students and staff. The central problem in Leadership of teaching: Practice A worked case drawn from Leadership of teaching: Practice Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Leadership of teaching: Practice that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-704	Education studio: Inquiry Students complete a curriculum or evaluation brief. This award does not confer a teaching licence. The central problem in Education studio: Inquiry A worked case drawn from Education studio: Inquiry Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Education studio: Inquiry that a reviewer can mark	3

Advanced seminars

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-705	Learners and design: Seminar Students design a short learning sequence for a named group of learners. The central problem in Learners and design: Seminar A worked case drawn from Learners and design: Seminar Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Learners and design: Seminar that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-706	Assessment: Field work Students write a task and the criteria that would mark it fairly. The central problem in Assessment: Field work A worked case drawn from Assessment: Field work Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Assessment: Field work that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-707	Leadership of teaching: Studio Students review a programme decision and its effect on students and staff. The central problem in Leadership of teaching: Studio A worked case drawn from Leadership of teaching: Studio Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Leadership of teaching: Studio that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-708	Education studio: Synthesis Students complete a curriculum or evaluation brief. This award does not confer a teaching licence. The central problem in Education studio: Synthesis A worked case drawn from Education studio: Synthesis Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Education studio: Synthesis that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-709	Learners and design: Foundations Students design a short learning sequence for a named group of learners. The central problem in Learners and design: Foundations A worked case drawn from Learners and design: Foundations Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Learners and design: Foundations that a reviewer can mark	3
PHD-710	Assessment: Cases Students write a task and the criteria that would mark it fairly. The central problem in Assessment: Cases A worked case drawn from Assessment: Cases Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Assessment: Cases that a reviewer can mark	3

Confirmation and thesis

Code	Course	Credits
PHD-801	Confirmation of the research design A formal check that the question, method, and ethics review are ready. The central problem in Confirmation of the research design A worked case drawn from Confirmation of the research design Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Confirmation of the research design that a reviewer can mark	6
PHD-802	Doctoral thesis An original research thesis, examined on its question, method, and evidence. The central problem in Doctoral thesis A worked case drawn from Doctoral thesis Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Doctoral thesis that a reviewer can mark	24
PHD-803	Oral examination The viva on the thesis. No separate credit is attached. The central problem in Oral examination A worked case drawn from Oral examination Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim An assessed task in Oral examination that a reviewer can mark	0

Code

Course

Credits

PHD-801

Confirmation of the research design

A formal check that the question, method, and ethics review are ready.

The central problem in Confirmation of the research design
A worked case drawn from Confirmation of the research design
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Confirmation of the research design that a reviewer can mark

PHD-802

Doctoral thesis

An original research thesis, examined on its question, method, and evidence.

The central problem in Doctoral thesis
A worked case drawn from Doctoral thesis
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Doctoral thesis that a reviewer can mark

PHD-803

Oral examination

The viva on the thesis. No separate credit is attached.

The central problem in Oral examination
A worked case drawn from Oral examination
Evidence, sources, and the limits of the claim
An assessed task in Oral examination that a reviewer can mark

Career Paths

University Professor
Education Policy Researcher
Curriculum Theorist
EdTech Research Director
Think Tank Senior Fellow

Programme Highlights

Practitioner-researcher pathway for working educators
EdTech and inclusion research clusters
Annual education research symposium

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.

Admission requirements

Academic entry

Master's degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution

English language

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for research writing

Documents

Three academic references, at least one from a previous supervisor

Research & interview

Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words) aligned with faculty research areas
Interview with the doctoral admissions panel (online)
Evidence of prior research output (publications, thesis, or professional reports) preferred

Programme questions

How long is the PhD Education?

The published duration is 3–5 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.

Can I study this from my country?

This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.

What does it cost?

Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.

What are the entry requirements?

Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.

How is the programme assessed?

Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.

Will this award be recognised where I live?

Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. FollowLap University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.

How do I apply?

Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@followlap.com.

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