Research opportunities
There are eight main research groups within the School of Education. While they're recorded as discrete entities, they are complementary. There are several topics within each theme, and it may be that colleagues align themselves with more than one research theme and that research cuts across all the research areas we're looking at.
A key focus in considering these themes is the policy context in which the School of Education is situated. A major driver in current Scottish education is around closing the attainment gap and reducing inequality. The research themes address this issue in a range of ways.
You can study an MPhil over the course of one year or a PhD over the course of three or four years.
You can study your choice of these options in any of our four research areas:
- Rights, citizenship and dialogue
- Educational and social practices in literacy and numeracy
- Equality and achievement
- Health and wellbeing
- Language learning
- Professional learning, identity and enquiry
- Methodologies for change
- Additional support needs and autism
You can also study for a Doctorate of Education. A taught professional doctorate with a range of specialist pathways which allow you to tie your doctorate studies explicitly to your professional experience.
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PG Cert RPD) programme
As part of your PhD degree, you'll be enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PG Cert RPD).
This certificate is designed to support you with your research and rewards you for things you'll do as a research student here.
It'll help you improve skills which are important to professional development and employability:
- the knowledge and intellectual abilities to conduct your research
- the personal qualities to succeed in your research and chosen career
- the standards, requirements and conduct of a professional researcher in your discipline
- working with others and communicating the impact of your research to a wide range of audiences
All you have to do is plan these activities alongside your doctorate, documenting and reflecting your journey to success along the way.
Find out more about the PG Cert RPD programme.
Fees & funding
Fees
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Here are our fees for 2017/18:
Scotland/ EU
Rest of UK
International students
Funding
Check our scholarship search for any funding opportunities available.
The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.
How can I apply?
You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year.
All you have to do is complete an online application.
You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year. We strongly advise that you contact one or more potential supervisors or the Postgraduate Research Director, Professor Kate Wall, before completing the online application. Go to the supervisors tab above and see below for further information.
Entry requirements
We look for students with masters degree from a recognised academic institution and at least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent) in a professional field with an educational dimension.
The application
During the application you'll be asked for the following:
- your full contact details
- transcripts and certificates of all degrees
- proof of English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 in writing & reading required) if you're applying as an international student
- two references, one of which must be academic
- funding or scholarship information
- research proposals of 1,500 to 2,000 words in length, detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated
By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.
Supervisors
You'll need to identify your research supervisor before you finalise your application, preferably as soon as possible.
When you've identified a potential supervisor, based upon how well your research interests match theirs, drop them an email to introduce yourself.
In the email, make sure you attach a draft of your research proposal along with a copy of your CV.
Don't worry about how rough your research proposal may be at this stage - you'll have help from the School of Education to refine it.
If your chosen supervisor if available to work with you, they'll confirm this and nominate a potential second supervisor.
As soon as a second supervisor is confirmed, an offer of study will be sent to you through Pegasus; our online application system.
If you accept our offer, you'll then be sent a full offer in writing via the email address you provide.
Accepting an offer
Once you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.
UK or EU students
If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.
You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year.
All you have to do is complete an online application.
Support & development
The Graduate School is a friendly and supportive study environment for all our research students studying subjects within Humanities & Social Sciences.
Our staff will support you through our studies and you'll become part of a community of students who get involved with out workshops, seminars and competitions.
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD)
Our PgCert RPD programme aims to ensure you get the most out of your current research activities at Strathclyde and help you prepare for your future career as a researcher.
We'll help you recognise and develop your transferable skills that'll have a positive impact on your research, now and in the future.
Careers
We have a great careers service at Strathclyde that can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation.
Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have loads of different support for all students here at our University. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
