While the traditional PhD programme requires students to engage entirely in research training, culminating in the production of a thesis, the PhD with Integrated Study enables students to gain added value from taught, subject-based modules. The taught modules allow students to broaden, as well as deepen, their subject knowledge at the same time as undertaking their own research and developing a set of transferable professional skills in preparation for careers as professional educators, researchers and for senior positions in public and private sector organisations.

Additional Information

Structure of the programme

The programme is normally four years full-time and consists of taught modules and a thesis. Taught modules include subject specific modules, research training and transferable skills.

• Taught modules: 120 credits at level M (40 research, 40 subject, 20 transferable + 20 from any category)
• Thesis: 80,000 words

Research activity will begin in year one and will continue alongside taught modules in year two. At the end of year two students will submit a formal proposal for their research to enable them to progress onto their doctoral thesis. In year three there will be an opportunity to take a transferable skill module supporting them in their skills of writing and oral presentations of research. In year four, students will focus entirely on their research culminating in production of the 80,000 word thesis. The range of subjects available in taught modules currently includes:

• Learning and ICT
• IT in Education Administration and Management
• IT in School Curriculum
• Leadership for School Improvement
• Educational Innovation and Curriculum in an International Context
• Personal Skills for Women and Men in Educational Management
• Education Policy and National Development
• Curriculum Innovation
• Human Rights, Citizenship and the Environment
• Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) Identification, Assessment & Teaching
• Policy Practice and Provision for Special Educational Needs
• Child & Youth: New Perspectives, New Themes
• Second Language Acquisition
• Language, Discourse and Society
• Communicative Language Teaching, Syllabus Design and Assessment