Higher Education PhD
Key information
Full-time - 4 years
- Start dates:
- January 2024
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
Part-time - 8 years
- Start dates:
- January 2024
- April 2024
- July 2024
- October 2024
Why choose this programme
At the Surrey Institute of Education, our aim is to produce the next generation of researchers, ready to address the complex challenges in higher education, and help shape higher education policy and practice at local, national and international levels.
The Institute is one of the largest institutions in the UK dedicated to multidisciplinary research solely within higher education.
We’ve secured research grants from a variety of funders, including the British Academy, the Australia Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Office for Students (OfS), the Leverhulme Trust, the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) and the Wellcome Trust.
You’ll benefit from our vibrant research culture and you’ll work alongside leading academics who are at the forefront of their respective fields, giving you access to expertise in a range of areas of higher education.
The University of Surrey is 33rd in the UK rankings for overall research quality by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The research quality of the Surrey Institute of Education was ranked 20th out of 83 submissions for Education. In terms of outputs [research papers and other published works], 43% of the Institute’s outputs were considered world-leading (4*) for their originality, significance and rigour, placing us 11th out of the 83 submissions. For impact, we have been ranked 20th with 100% of impact case studies judged to have outstanding or very considerable impacts in terms of their reach and significance.
What you will study
Our distance learning course offers you the flexibility to create a programme that suits your professional development needs in the field of university teaching. Offered on a part-time basis over three to five years, the qualification recognises the importance of balancing your studying alongside your teaching roles.
The programme allows you to tailor your learning according to your interests and preferences through a choice of optional modules. You’ll do this by engaging with the connections between concepts, theory and practice, teaching and research, disciplinary methods, and teachers and students.
As a fully online programme, teaching is delivered via a range of live and recorded or guided learning activities that you can engage with at a time that suits you. These activities support the learning outcomes of each module and reflect the needs of the student group. As such, whilst you register for the full masters, you may step off from the programme at either the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma levels.
Throughout your studies, you’ll analyse issues relating to your everyday teaching practice. In addition, you’ll debate alternative ideas, challenges, and explore solutions with your peers and tutors. Your experience on the MA can provide evidence to support your application for Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Assessment
You’ll have a confirmation assessment to review your project formally. If you're a full-time student, this will take place around 12-15 months into your studies or 24-30 months if you’re studying part-time. You’ll be required to submit a written report and successfully complete an oral examination.
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Progress reviews
In addition to the confirmation process you’ll have six-monthly progress reviews with your supervisors. These meetings are an opportunity to reflect on your progress, discuss successes and challenges and set targets for the next six months. These reviews will be monitored by postgraduate research directors and recorded on your student record.
You’ll also have one formal meeting with your supervisors every month and can expect to have more frequent meetings between these. The regularity of these will depend on the nature and stage of your project.
Professional development
You’ll be invited to engage in regular research activities within the Surrey Institute of Education, giving you a breadth of tangible experience and real-world insight into a higher education institution. There are regular doctoral focused workshops that are co-designed and/or co-determined with the doctoral researchers.
Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Research themes
Our research investigates:
- Assessment and feedback, including external examiners practice and student engagement with feedback.
- Educational transitions, including students and academic staff transitions and mobility, in national and international academic contexts.
- Identities and values in education, including professional identity development of academic staff and students.
- Language and literacy learning, including students' motivation in learning English language.
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and disciplinary education, including girls’ participation in STEM subjects at the higher education level, and the teaching and learning of STEM and disciplinary subjects.
We’ll encourage you to address some aspect of these themes either at the general higher education level or within specific disciplines in their research proposal. We also welcome applications that may not fit these themes but have a higher education aspect to them.
Our academic staff
Throughout your studies you’ll have at least two supervisors, with at least one from the Surrey Institute of Education, who’ll have expertise relevant to your research project. Your supervisors will give you academic guidance, helping you develop your research ideas and plans, consider your theory and methods, and analyse your work. They’ll read and comment on your draft work, giving you honest and constructive feedback. They’ll provide you with pastoral support and advice, referring you to more specialist services where necessary.
Supervisors may include:
- Dr Anea Hosein (an expert on young people’s educational and employment pathways)
- Professor Ian Kinchin (an expert in pedagogies of care and concept- mapping)
- Professor Naomi Winstone (an expert in feedback literacies)
- Dr Marion Heron (an expert in literacies and languages).
Institute
Research groups and labs
Research facilities
Postgraduate researchers have a dedicated shared office space. Postgraduate researchers are also welcome to work within the hot-desking areas in the communal office spaces.
Postgraduate researchers also have access to two seminar rooms and the kitchen/community space.
Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to hold a good honours degree in an appropriate discipline.
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall or above (or equivalent) with at least 6.0 in each individual category.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Application requirements
Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees
Start date: January 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £18,600
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £9,300
Start date: April 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £18,600
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £9,300
Start date: July 2024
Full-time
- UK
- £4,712
- Overseas
- £18,600
Part-time
- UK
- £2,356
- Overseas
- £9,300
Start date: October 2024
Full-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
Part-time
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
For fees payable in 2023/24, these will increase by 4 per cent, rounded up to the nearest £100 for subsequent years of study. Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Overseas students applying for 2023 entry should note that annual fees will rise by 4 per cent rounded up to the nearest £100.
View a complete list of all fees for our research programmes.
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Apply online
If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, you should enter the details of the specific project that you wish to apply for rather than your own research proposal.
Read our application guidance for further information on the application process.
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
1. Select your course
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2. Sign in
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Course | Status |
---|---|
Higher Education PhD Full-time, January 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 13 October 2023 |
Higher Education PhD Part-time, January 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 13 October 2023 |
Higher Education PhD Full-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Higher Education PhD Part-time, April 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 1 March 2024 |
Higher Education PhD Full-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 19 April 2024 |
Higher Education PhD Part-time, July 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 19 April 2024 |
Higher Education PhD Full-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Higher Education PhD Part-time, October 2024 | Applications open Closing date: Monday 1 July 2024 |
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH