Doctoral programmes
Join our welcoming community of doctoral students from across the world, who all play an integral part in our thriving research culture.
Find out more about our PhD programme details, such as entry requirement, duration, supervisors, tuition fees and how to apply.
What can the Education PhD programmes offer me?
As an education research student with us, you can expect:
- full access to a large range of seminars (often featuring national and international visitors);
- high quality and regular supervision from academic experts in their areas to support a 80,000 word dissertation;
- support from your supervisors for presenting at conferences and publishing in academic peer-reviewed journals;
- to be part of a diverse and lively academic community of over 100 doctoral researchers and participate in the annual Research Celebration Day;
- to be an active member of a research centre, network and/or Faculty-wide research group, through which you can share research ideas with staff and students and will connect to national and international networks;
- opportunities to contribute to leadership and governance as a student representative on School and Faculty committees or through convening School of Education doctoral conferences;
- opportunities to apply for short term research assistant and teaching assistant roles;
- professional development and short training courses through the Bristol Doctoral College and the CREATE (Cultivating Research and Teaching Excellence) staff development scheme;
- access to a dedicated School library on site, Faculty and other University libraries including excellent specialist library services and access to specialist methodological support;
- use of well-equipped, flexible study spaces within the School of Education and wider University; and
- your own personal profile on the University of Bristol website
REF 2021 results
In the most recent REF 2021, the School of Education was ranked in the top-ten leading UK centres for high quality and high impact research on education.
90% of the School’s research was assessed as either 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' with 60% of that in the 4* category.
Results are from the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Doctoral studies in the School of Education has exceeded my expectations. There have been so many opportunities to meet and work with other PGRs and world-renowned academics. The support of my supervisors along with the taught modules has really supported me in the development of my research proposal.
Pen Williams - PhD Education