PhD Cohort in Education (Structured)

The Cohort PhD in Education (Structured) is a four-year doctoral degree aimed at those with an academic background in education (or cognate fields) and education professionals working in the areas of education policy, curriculum and assessment/examinations across different sectors in education (pre-school, primary, post-primary, adult and further education) in a life-long learning context. The PhD in Education provides a structured cohort-based learning environment in which to pursue doctoral study, involving taught modules in years 1, 2 and 3 as well as supervised research on the thesis for the duration of the degree. Teaching will involve seminar-based discussion, writing and reading along three strands (i) educational inquiry, (ii) research methodologies, and (iii) policy and pedagogy. In addition, considerable use will be made of virtual learning environments to support the face-to-face taught component of the degree in order to promote a vibrant cohort experience. The programme provides participants with the opportunity to acquire competency as researchers, gain a deeper understanding of theoretical and methodological frameworks underpinning educational research and educational policy, and identify the roles of research and evaluation within schools, other educational organisations and society.  There is a particular emphasis in the programme on the conduct of educational research, focusing not just on issues of design and methodology, but also the ideology, politics, epistemology and the ethics of framing, undertaking and communicating research. UCC’s School of Education is committed to a research agenda which influences and shapes educational policy, leadership and professional practice nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the school draws upon and seeks to develop cultural approaches to education in the broadest sense.

In the first year, participants take three modules (one of which includes a week-long summer school). Year two consists of two modules. Year three involves one module (half of which is taught as a week-long summer school. Modules will, typically, be taught on Friday evenings and Saturdays (nine weekends in year one plus a week-long summer school; six weekends in year two; and three weekends in year three plus a week-long summer school) In addition to the taught component each year, students will undertake substantial supervised thesis research. As such, the modules will provide participants with the necessary skills to undertake their own substantive piece of research over the course of the degree.

Year 1

• Educational Enquiry
• Educational Research Methods
• Contemporary Issues in Education: Policy, Pedagogy and Leadership (including one-week summer school)
• Research Work on Thesis Topic

Year 2

• Advanced Seminar in Research and Evaluation Methods
• Contemporary Issues in Education: Policy, Pedaogy and Leadership
• Research Work on Thesis Topic

Year 3

• Colloquium in Designing Educational Research (including one-week summer school)
• Research Work on Thesis Topic

Year 4

• Thesis

Applicants will normally be expected to:

• Have at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I, primary degree, and an appropriate Postgraduate Diploma and/or Master's graduates with at least Second Class Honours. In exceptional circumstances applicants with suitable professional qualifications and substantial education-related professional experience maybe considered.
• Have at least three years relevant professional experience in Education or cognate field.
• Demonstrate evidence of good writing ability

NOTE: All candidates who meet short-listing criteria will be interviewed.

For Non-EU Entry Requirements please contact the International Education Office by email at internationalpostgrad@ucc.ie

Applications must be made Online

Apply online at  http://www.pac.ie/ucc  and select "Apply Research".  The course code for application is CKH78. You will not need to nominate a supervisor at this stage of the application.  You will not need to submit a research proposal.  A general area of interest can be included under Research Topic. The PAC course code is CKH78.  Select October 2011 as the Start Date. 

Please note that you will be asked to fill in a supplementary information form as part of the applications process for this programme. This form is available to view here  CKH78 Supplementary Form (91kB)

Further Information

Prof. Kathy Hall,
Head of Education  k.hall@ucc.ie

Dr. Paul Conway,
Director, Cohort PhD in Education (Structured) pconway@education.ucc.ie