Education - PhD

What's covered in the course?

• Research students in Education will join a thriving research community and be part of one of the University’s Research Centres of Excellence.
• We offer supervision for study either part-time or full-time towards a PhD degree.
• If you are accepted for a PhD, there is a University-wide taught course in research methodologies, and you will be assigned to a director of studies, and at least one second supervisor will also be appointed.
• You will have access to a dedicated research room for postgraduate researchers
• You’re encouraged to publish in collaboration with your supervisors and to take part in research conferences and events

Research interests

Areas of interest in which staff are currently active include:

• Assessment
• Creativity
• Childhood Studies
• Early Years
• Post-16 Provision
• Education Policy
• Music Education
• Professional Learning and Development
• Workplace Learning
• Student experience in Higher Education
• Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• Management and Leadership in Higher Education
• Historical Research into education

We welcome applications in these and other areas of expertise in education.

All students

A day in the life of a PhD student

If you're considering doing a PhD there's probably a lot of questions going through your mind: how am I going to pay for it? Should I quit my job? Will I cope with the workload? But most importantly, what is it really like? Karen Patel, a full time PhD student, shares her experiences of juggling life, a part time job and her studies. 

The PhD Journey

Normally a PhD journey begins with a research proposal followed by undertaking an extensive literature review on the topic and research questions identified. Time is spent developing suitable research methodology and exploring appropriate theory. Data is normally collected as part of extensive field work and enquiry.

The data is then analysed and discussed at length with conclusions drawn which relate to the originality of the work. A Thesis is produced as the result of the research which is normally 80,000 words. Towards the end of the journey the student undertakes a viva examination which is based on the Thesis. The Thesis and viva are both taken into consideration for the award of doctorate.   

For the first six months of your PhD you will undertake the PGCert in Research Practice, which is a taught and compulsory part of the PhD programme. You will meet with your supervisors and attend classes every week. This is an essential part of the PhD which will help you to get your research started and set you up for the rest of your PhD journey.

The PGCert programme covers literature review and research methods which are specific to your faculty. The outcome of the PG Cert will be a detailed and considered research proposal which will take you forward with your work. 

How the PhD is assessed

The criteria to be awarded a PhD is to make a ‘unique contribution to knowledge.’ Whether a student has achieved this is determined by a panel of experts, including internal and external academics. The panel will assess the student’s written thesis, and the student’s oral defence of that thesis in a viva voce.

For more information, visit our PhDs section.

Employment Opportunities

The PhD award from Birmingham City University is a well-established and valued professional qualification within the education sector. Typical careers include school management, working in further or higher education, or educational consultancy.

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

• Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
• Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
• Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
• Learn where to find financial support for your studies.

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.

As part of these plans, the University's Education provision will join the rest of the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences at our City South Campus in Edgbaston during 2018.

This is the third phase of the University's project to move all teaching and learning to two campuses, City Centre and City South. By moving our Education provision, we are creating a hub for the provision of public service contracts and professional development at City South Campus and improving the student experience with a stronger sense of community and more consistent support services and facilities.

Campus

In addition to classrooms, a lecture theatre, social learning spaces, an open access IT suite and cafe facilities, the new £41 million extension to our City South Campus offers a range of specialist teaching and learning facilities for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.  

Departments

All our departmental facilities replicate the school learning environment.

• Art and Design
• Design and Technology
• History
• English
• Mathematics
• Religious Education
• Music
• Drama