PhD Education

About the course

Joining the PhD in Education constitutes an excellent opportunity for substantial academic, professional, and personal growth, underpinned by the rigorous development of advanced research skills.

A University of Hertfordshire research degree is an internationally recognised degree signifying high levels of achievement in research. It develops extensive subject expertise and independent research skills which are honed over an extended period.

You would undertake a substantial, original research project for the duration of the degree, under the supervision and guidance of two or more academic members of staff. Your supervisory team provides guidance both in the selection of a research topic and in the conduct of the research. You are also supported by attendance at the Researcher Development Programme to develop subject specific knowledge and research skills relevant to your field of research.

The degree is assessed by a substantial written thesis which must be "defended" in a viva. Progression assessments also occur during the degree. You may also be alerted to other relevant opportunities, for example, to present your work at major conferences and/or in refereed research publications.

How to apply

Applications are sent to doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk. There are three key actions to engage with before making an application:

1. Discuss your proposed research with the Postgraduate Research Lead Dr Rowena Senior - r.senior@herts.ac.uk, to establish that it is appropriate for this award. Please contact Rowena directly to arrange a short meeting.
2. Attend a virtual Open Evening and a proposal writing workshop. These are held periodically throughout the year. Please contact r.senior@herts.ac.uk for a link to attend any of these sessions.
3. Gather the documents listed below and submit them to doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk by the deadline above. Only by doing this you formally apply to the programme.

• A completed application form that can be downloaded from the link here.
• A research proposal which must include: the title, description of the form and methodology of your research and a separate bibliography (up to 2000 words – bibliography is not included in the wordcount)
• Copies of your qualifications - we will require an honours degree, normally at least 2:1 or above, in an appropriate discipline
• Transcripts
• English language qualifications where applicable. International students from countries where English is not the official first language should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
• Two references that attest your ability to study a research degree. References are not required at the application stage, and we cannot accept references submitted by applicants or agencies. If we need them later, we will contact you, and your referees must send them to us directly.
• A copy of your passport.

What’s next for my career?

A PhD in Education is an internationally recognised research qualification that equips graduates with advanced, research‑based subject knowledge and deep expertise in their chosen field. Through sustained independent inquiry, candidates develop high‑level research skills as well as the attributes of critical thinking and reflective, evidence‑informed practice—qualities highly valued by employers across academic, professional and policy‑focused sectors.

Course fees

• Research degree fees for UK and EU students
• Research degree fees for international students