Education, MPhil/PhD
Explore new avenues for education by undertaking a research degree (MPhil/PhD) supported by experts in the field.
Our research degree in Education (MPhil/PhD) is designed to support you in the challenges of doctoral study and research.The research programme is intended for qualified and experienced lecturers, teachers, trainers, or other professionals working in education who wish to explore education as an academic subject. You will develop advanced doctoral research methods, theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to produce a doctoral dissertation.
Our research programme has a dedicated leader, administrator, and a wide range of supervisors. Progress is monitored and supported by committees within our department, and you will be supported by regular meetings with your supervisory team. You will also join a vibrant community of research peers, including research students in Health and Social Care and Psychology.
School
Location
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 5-6 years part-time
Start month
September; January
Home /international fees 2025/26
£5,006 /£17,975
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Your PhD will centre on a specific research area and topic. With guidance from your supervisory team, you will select areas to study that align with your project. You may also attend extra classes or participate in training events to support your research. This can include seminars and workshops provided by the Faculty and your Research Centre. In addition, you will be part of the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PGRDP). The PGRDP offers both mandatory and elective sessions designed to assist research students in enhancing their skills.
About the course team
Welcome to our MPhil/PhD in Education. Our course is supported by teaching and supervisory teams with a strong range of practical and academic experience, both in educational research and in doctoral supervision. Our research expertise covers a diverse range of practice in education and training, from childhood studies and alternative education to e-learning and pedagogy to leadership and management in education. Over 66% of our core team holds a teaching qualification. Other academics who contribute to your learning are also well-qualified and have extensive experience of supervision on both the Ed.D and PhD course.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
- A taught Master's degree in a relevant subject, with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment (eg Merit) level or above and/or
- A First Class or Second Class, First Division (Upper Second Class) Honours degree in a relevant subject.
In addition to the above, applicants whose first language is not English must also meet the English Language requirement, which is:
- A Bachelors or Master's degree transcript from the UK or UKVI recognised Majority English Speaking Country (MESC).
Or
- IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill.
Required documentation:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including the names of two referees (written references can also be provided using the reference form)
- A detailed research proposal of about 1,500 words (for scholarship applications, please see specific instructions in the advert and include the scholarship reference to the personal statement section).
Further information about entry
Applicants must submit a 1,500 word research proposal with their application form. The research proposal should be developed with a potential supervisor at the University of Greenwich before submitting the application. It is best to search the information on the members of staff in the School of Education and Institute of Lifecourse Development for somebody in your proposed topic area and contact them about the prospect of developing your proposal.
Please note, that you will also be interviewed as part of the selection process.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
If you have undertaken a part of this course of study in a UK university or a reputable university in another country, you might be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Each case will be considered on its own merit.
How you will learn
Teaching
There are no lectures delivered on the PhD course. However, there are a number of training courses you will be required to attend. These will be established once you register for the course. There are other mandatory online courses that PhD students must complete before completing their studies.
During the thesis phase, your main focus will be on your thesis. You will be supported in this by your experienced supervisory team.
Class sizes
Information coming soon.
Independent learning
As there are no scheduled lectures on the MPhil/PhD course, you will need to dedicate time to self-study. You will need to do a lot of reading on your own and it is important that you make time to meet this commitment.
Overall workload
While there are no lectures on this course, you are expected to demonstrate your engagement with the course. You will be provided with a log book which you will fill out and use as evidence of your engagement. Your supervisors will also monitor your engagement.
Assessment
PhD candidates are assessed through a thesis and a viva at the end of their research. However, there are mandatory courses and training you are expected to attend before completing your course. These will be set out in a log book you are given at the start of your course.
Feedback summary
Once a postgraduate research student has submitted their thesis for examination, the examination should take place within three months of the date the Faculty Research Degrees Committee approves the examination arrangements.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £5,006 | £2,503 per year | N/A |
| International | £17,975 | £8,988 per year | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Although the faculty supports students to attend and present at external conferences, this support is not guaranteed. You may need to fund your own attendance at external conferences. However this is neither compulsory nor seen as a requirement of your course.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Many students on this course will already be well established in their careers. However, achieving the PhD. enables professionals to follow other pathways for advancement in their place of work or to take on leadership responsibilities in other areas, particularly areas that involve research, development and policy development. It also offers the opportunity to embark on academic careers in some cases.
Graduates of the PhD course have moved on to become head teachers, college leaders, academics, sector leaders in the health sector, senior civil servants and leaders in various sectors including in engineering, travel and tourism and in business amongst others.
Do you provide employability services?
The university has an employability service which all students are allowed to utilise. The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for new roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Accommodation
Greenwich
Living in halls of residence is a great way to make new friends and get into the social side of university life. With four great locations, all minutes away from the campus and the centre of historic Greenwich , you will be at the heart of one of the most beautiful university settings in the UK.
Rooms start at £146.30/wk and include Wi-Fi, utility bills, access to our on-campus gym and 24-hour security - and just a 10-minute train journey to central London. Students based at our Greenwich campus can also choose to live the Student Village at Avery Hill, which is only a short ride on our free shuttle bus.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
You will receive regular support throughout your registration, including a dedicated course leader, a course administrator, and a wide range of supervisors.
Research projects we have supported include:
- Leadership in higher education
- Work-based learning
- Pedagogy and learning theories
- Widening participation and access
- Computational technology
- Experiences of LGBT+ teachers and students
- Childhood studies and early years.
You will be allocated an office space and provided with either a laptop or a PC to support you with the challenges of independent study.
The faculty will occasionally invite you to apply for funding to attend conferences and conduct research activities (though we don't guarantee success).
You can also access study skills support through our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Support from the department
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
During your thesis stage, you will have the opportunity to attend a range of research and employment related training courses provided by the Research and Enterprise Training Institute (RETI). If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we might be able to arrange training.
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Education studies at the University of Greenwich
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Visit our education studies degrees page.
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Robert Morgan, Programme Leader talks us through the programme.
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