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Education PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

Apply now

Apply your existing educational knowledge and skills to a variety of educational contexts and research activities.

A doctorate in education gives you the opportunity to research a topic in depth and make a significant and original contribution to academic and practitioner educational communities. You will be required to conduct supervised research at the cutting edge of education and report your findings in a thesis (up to 90,000 words).

See what some of our current students are researching on the Department of Education Research page and the Department of Education Research Blog.

Department of Education

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

You can start this programme in September or October.

You may also start mid-year, subject to agreement with your supervisor and the Doctoral College.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Registration
  2. Induction
  3. Candidature
  4. Confirmation
  5. Submission for examination
  6. Examination (Viva Voce)
  7. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Supervisory team

Research content

From application to completion of your submission and viva voce, you will benefit from high-quality individual guidance and support. A supervisory team will be responsible for giving you advice and support, and monitoring your progress.

You can expect reasonable access to your supervisory panel throughout your period of research; there is a minimum requirement for some face-to-face contact each year.

The programme aims to:

  • support you to conduct an original piece of research relating to your own experience and interest;
  • facilitate your development as an independent educational researcher, able to understand and use a broad range of relevant research techniques appropriate to your topic, and to be knowledgeable about approaches used in the field of education;
  • enable you to ethically apply your research and skills to a variety of problems in practice, pedagogy or policy and to your future research activities.

Your research is supported in several ways:

  • Through your supervisory team – through working with two academic advisers (your supervisory team) you will develop both your research skills and your research study.
  • Through becoming part of the Department of Education’s research culture for example, by participating in research seminars and research group activities.
  • By undertaking courses provided through resources from our Doctoral College, which aims to develop your research skills and engagement (see section below on professional development). In addition, it is sometimes possible for you to audit units from other programmes.

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our MyDoctoralDevelopment workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Presentations
  • Report
  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

  • Confirmation process takes place at the end of your first year of study. You will prepare a 5,000 word report, 1-2 draft chapters, an ethics application and a data management plan. You will present your proposed research to two academic staff members in an open forum. Passing Confirmation means you are confirmed as a PhD student.
  • Thesis – this is the final documentation of your completed research. We also offer the alternative format where part of your thesis can include one or more sections published or prepared as if for publication.
  • Viva voce – this is the oral examination completed as a defence of your thesis.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A strong academic background in a field relevant to the proposed research, specifically:

  • A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent), or

  • A master’s degree with a minimum of a merit classification (or equivalent)

Some academic-led research projects may have further requirements which will be stipulated in individual project advertisements.

English Language requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to meet the minimum English language requirements before you can start your course.

You’ll need to provide us with a valid result in an approved English language test, for example:

  • Duolingo: 130 overall with sub scores of Speaking 120, Writing 130, Reading 120, Listening 115
  • Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any component
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken before 21 January 2026): 100 overall with no less than 24 in any element
  • TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken after 20 January 2026): 5.0 overall with no less than 4.5 in any component

See the required scores for all the English language tests we accept.

You must have taken your English language qualification within 24 months of your course start date.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you might be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

You don't normally need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if:

  • you're a UK national
  • you're a national of a majority English-speaking country, as recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and you’ve lived and been educated in that country for a significant period
  • you hold a degree taught in English awarded within two years of your course start date

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Education PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

You will need to budget for living expenses and, if you don’t already live in Bath, your relocation costs.

The University has developed some resources to help you understand typical costs of living in Bath. Please see the example postgraduate budget or the example budget for an overseas student intending to bring family to Bath.

If you require a visa to study in the UK, you will also need to budget for visa fees and the Immigration Healthcare surcharge (IHS).

Some PhD projects necessitate payment of a Training Support Fee (sometimes known as a Bench Fee) in addition to tuition fees. Your intended PhD project supervisor will be able to advise if this will apply to your intended PhD project.

Find out more about Training Support Fees (TSF)

How to pay

Funding options

Find funding for doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

  • Programme title
    Education PhD
  • Final award
    PhD
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    RHED-AFM02
  • Department
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Application deadline

    3 months prior to the intended start date (for international applicants) or 2 months prior to the intended start date (for home applicants). For example, for an end of September start, the deadline is 30 June (international) and 31 July (home).

  • Regulator

Applicant profile

A competitive applicant profile will show:

  • Strong academic credentials
  • Your readiness to be an independent PhD researcher
  • A clearly written research proposal, including its intended aims, topic and methods
  • Strong alignment with the proposed Lead supervisor’s research area

Application guidance

You should prepare a clear and detailed written proposal of the research you would like to conduct. Our academic staff are always open to hear how your research can build on their existing work or about a new topic in their current subject areas. Occasionally it is also possible to apply for one of our pre-defined research projects.

You must identify at least one (up to two) intended lead supervisor(s) in your application. We cannot consider your application if no supervisor has been named.

To increase your chances of success, we strongly recommend that you contact your intended supervisor(s) proposed Lead supervisor ahead of submitting your application to make them aware of your interest and to discuss the intended research project. This is especially important if you intend to apply with your own project idea because, in this case, you will need to ensure, firstly, that your research interests are compatible with the expertise of your proposed Lead supervisor and, secondly, that they have capacity to take on new PhD students.

When preparing your research proposal you should explain the potential contribution to existing knowledge and give an indicative timeline of work.

In all cases, in your personal statement, you will need to tell us why you are interested in pursuing independent research, quote examples of your undergraduate or master's research projects, and explain how a PhD fits with your career plans.

See our guide on how to apply for doctoral study for more information and further documents required.

If you are applying for funding through the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Partnership, you must develop your own project idea and submit a Student Statement Form (Annex A) with your application. See our guidance on applying for ESRC funding for more information.

Selection process

The outcome of the Doctoral Admissions team review will be sent to your intended supervisor(s) who will then decide if they wish to invite you to interview. Interviews will typically be conducted online by the prospective supervisor(s) and an independent member of academic staff or the Director of Studies.

If, after the interview, they would like to offer a place, the Doctoral Admissions team will review your application. This will include assessing your tuition fee status and, checking that your application is complete.

If you are applying to a funding competition, there may be further shortlisting and decision stages which will be competition specific.

It is important to remember that PhD places are competitively awarded, and your application will be considered as a whole including the quality of all your uploaded documents and your references as well as your ability to meet entry requirements and demonstrate relevant research experience/potential.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Programme enquiries

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