Overview | Research Themes | Key Researchers | Details | Entry Requirements | How to Apply |

Education Research

The Division of Education thrives as an affirmative and vibrant community of practice, championing educational research across all disciplines within the wider remit of our School. We foster an ethos of care, by providing established peer-on-peer mentoring to nurture projects of all scales and have a vested interest in our postgraduate researchers as pioneers in their field.

From impactful, student-centric initiatives to engaging with funded collaborations that can yield high-impact results, we lean into interdisciplinary teams to support your journey. 

Our inclusive community embraces all educational levels, from preschool and primary to higher education, and into communities. We lead inquiries that probe educational theory and its practical application, empowering members to explore research, connect with colleagues, and contribute to a thriving knowledge exchange environment. 

With over 100 academic scholars and PhD students in educational remits, our internationally recognised and interdisciplinary research focuses on the dominant discourses and epistemic injustices of our time with a focus on reducing inequalities and promoting social justice. We work proudly in collaboration with wider networks and affiliations to steer change and create an impact for change. Some of our strengths include, but are not limited to: 

  • Teacher professionalism and Education
  • Early Years Education and Childcare
  • Community Learning and Outreach Education
  • Language Learning and International Education
  • Educational Policy and Leadership Studies
  • Curriculum and School Subject Specialism

As a PhD student, you will be welcomed into our Pedagogy, Policy, and Place group to actively support your professional development. Our graduates have gone on to academic positions within the University, and other universities and senior careers in government, education, and the third sector. Join us and become part of a dynamic force shaping the future of education, one impactful project at a time.

Applying for a Research Degree

EDUCATION - PHD

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in Education
School: School of Education and Social Sciences
Campus(es): Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire and London
Start date: October, February, April, or June
Admissions
Deadline: September, January, March, or May
Duration: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time
Fees: Tuition Fees for Research Degrees

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.

Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.

Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0

How to apply

Applying for postgraduate research study at UWS has never been simpler. Click the link below to find more information about:

  • Postgraduate Research step-by-step guide – everything you need to know to submit a successful application  
  • Link to our online application system

Applying for research degrees

United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

We can confidently state that our research activities in education directly map to 4 UN SDGs:

  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

UWS aims to be among the global leaders of excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations SDGs by placing them at the heart of our Strategy 2025.

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

Find out more about UWS and UN SDGs

Last updated: 01/04/2025

Search Research System

PURE is the University's research information management system and provides a single source of research information for UWS. It is used to record and manage research activity with details of research outputs, funding applications, conference contributions, external impact and staff profiles.