Education PhD

The Education department strives to be the most innovative in London. Based on the oldest teacher training colleges in the British Commonwealth – each with a radical history - we offer research-led programmes for teachers, youth and community workers, other education professionals and those with an interest in the academic study of Education and schooling. Our research is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy, the Higher Education Academy and many other organisations and charities. We are committed to working locally and globally and the impact of our research reflects that aspiration. In the 2014 REF, 60% of the Education Department's research was world-leading or internationally excellent and 90% of our impact was graded as internationally excellent. Staff specialisms include Pedagogy and Professional Education; STEM Education; Social Justice, Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education.

Applications are welcomed from well-qualified candidates interested in developing high-level research skills and applying them to theoretical and practical educational issues. Areas of study include (but are not restricted to):

Pedagogy and learning
Specific curriculum areas, including science, mathematics, English and physical education
ICT and education
Teachers’ (and related professionals’) professional learning
Students’ perspectives on schooling
The nature and value of educational theory
Social justice and education
Educational leadership and management
Equity and inclusion in education
The impact if education policies on educational practice and outcomes
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.  

Learn more about research in this area.

The award of the PhD is based on examination of a thesis of 70,000 to 80,000 words that is the original work of the student. The examination involves (i) assessment of the thesis by experts (usually 2 in number) in the area of study, one of whom (at least) is external to Brunel University London, and (ii) an oral examination (the viva voce examination) which is conducted by the examiners who have assessed the thesis.