Education PhDs at a leading university

About the Programme 

Doctorates in Education and Lifelong Learning 

UEA's postgraduate degree programmes (PhD, EdD, EdPsyD) in the School of Education & Lifelong Learning are designed to explore and contribute to local, national and international education. They are ideal for any researcher who works or hopes to work in education related fields, and to study at a university renowned for the quality of its research. In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 75% of the School’s submitted outputs were considered to be world leading and internationally excellent (3* and 4*). 100% of EDU's impact case studies were rated 3* and 4*, signalling the outstanding/very considerable reach and significance of our research 

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning is one of the UK's premier centres for teaching and research in professional education and training. We maintain excellent partnerships with regional schools, colleges and adult education groups, as well as with governments and universities internationally. 

Research culture 

We invite applications focused on research themes related to the expertise within the School in the following Research Domains. 

1.Pedagogy, Curriculum and Professional Learning (PCPL)  

Contact: Prof. Elena Nardi 

This domain has a focus on the research-led development and delivery of key curriculum areas across all sectors of educational activity and the development of school leadership and knowledge transfer. A key theme across this domain is the development and support of applied and practice-based research. Our specific research foci are: childhood/youth cultures and identities; English, curriculum and pedagogy; futures education; mathematics education; public pedagogies; popular culture; sport, health, physical education and wellbeing; teacher education; TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); speculative and digital research methodologies. 

2. International Education and Social Change (IESC)  

Contact: Prof Anna Robinson-Pant & Prof Yann Lebeau 

The domain, with its focus on education policies and practices in the Global South hosts the prestigious UNESCO Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation. As well as extensive work with higher education in international contexts, this domain has an international focus. Both methodologically and theoretically driven proposals are considered in relation to the work undertaken by members. Our specific research foci are: adult literacy and international development; community learning; decolonisation; internationalisation and higher education policy; lifelong and informal learning; minority groups and mobility; widening participation, inclusion and equity of access in HE. 

3. Lifelong Learning Cultures (LLC) 

Contact: Dr Esther Priyadharshini & Dr Harry Dyer 

Focusing on the broader contexts in which young people learn, develop and practise identities in coming to comprehend the worlds in which they live and will live, this domain brings together a range of methodological and theoretical expertise that explores the broader cultural contexts in which education, both formal and informal, takes place. Our specific research foci are: digital technology, social media and digital resilience; gender and sexuality. 

Please visit our research domains and research expertise pages to learn more about our research and to find a potential supervisor. 

Postgraduate Research Degrees 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

A three-year full time or six-year part time course providing the opportunity to research in depth and to contribute to educational research and practice. It is possible to study remotely for the PT option. Registration dates are 1 October, 1 February or 1 June. 

Find out more about the Doctor of Philosophy 

Doctor of Education (EdD) 

A five-year part-time programme that recruits every two years for a start in October. The next round of recruitment will open in September 2023 for enrolment in October 2024.. 

Find out more about the Doctor of Education 

Doctor of Educational Psychology (EdPsyD) 

A full-time, three-year, postgraduate training programme approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the British Psychological Society. Upon completion trainees are eligible to apply for HCPC registration and to practice as Educational Psychologists. Applications must be made using the application form on the Association of Educational Psychologists website.  

Find out more about the Doctorate in Educational Psychology (EdPsyD) 

Further information: 

• UEA School of Education Research degrees 
• Social Sciences Graduate School 

Or email pgr.enquiries.admiss@uea.ac.uk