Education Research Programmes

Summary

The research strategy of the School of Education focuses on Education in Society.  In the recent REF 2021, Education at Ulster was ranked joint first in the UK for research impact with the majority of our research outputs ranked as world-leading and internationally excellent. Our mission here is to undertake quality research in education that contributes to, and has an impact on, scholarly knowledge, professional practice, and society, at local, national, and international levels.

We aim to facilitate social change and improve educational practice in a range of contexts and settings.

The PhD programme is an important part of the overall research environment within the School and we welcome applications to the PhD programme from interested individuals. Successful applicants will be joining a rich and vibrant unit that places a great emphasis on collaborative work and the sharing and development of ideas through regular research seminars, conferences and other events. They will particularly benefit from being able to learn from and share ideas with a range of other research students and academics working in related areas. In the application, applicants will be expected to illustrate clearly how they intend to interpret their chosen topic in terms of a clear set of aims and objectives and an appropriate research methodology.

Our research projects transcend dimensions of Teaching and Support for Learning; Policy, Planning and Social Change; and Education, Conflict and Peacebuilding.

• Proposals are welcome for projects that examine dimensions of education policy and practice.  Themes include but are not exclusive to: teacher education and school leadership; education and social mobility; special educational needs and inclusive education; multi-cultural and language education; library and information management and digital learning.
• Proposals are welcome for projects which explore dimensions of education in conflict and crisis situations.  These may be national, international or comparative studies undertaken in divided societies or in societies emerging from conflict..

We welcome interdisciplinary research proposals and may appoint supervisors from outside the Education unit of assessment. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in good time to discuss draft research proposals. Allocation of supervisors will be made during the selection process.

A comprehensive and articulate personal statement is required along with a clearly defined research proposal (2000-3000 words) and should have the following headings:

1) A tentative title

2) Research question(s) and any related hypotheses

3) Literature review/survey of existing scholarship

4) Methodology

5) Contribution of the conclusions

6) Assessment of feasibility

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.