Postgraduate Education courses
Welcome to the postgraduate scheme for academic studies in education. Research is vitally important to the improvement of pedagogical practice and the school's scheme allows you to pursue interests pertinent to your situation. We will not prescriptively provide titles for investigation but take a more personalised approach of inviting you to choose topics.
The University's successful Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) results, announced in December 2008, when research work conducted at the University was assessed as world-leading, in terms of originality, significance and rigour reflects our status.
The school offers a wide range of study choices at masters, MPhil and PhD levels.
Masters programmes
Study can be full or part-time and the courses are flexibly organised on a modular basis to facilitate a balance between employment and family commitments.
We offer a wide variety of awards including:
Three 'core' modules and three 'option' modules are followed by a dissertation for the full award. It is also possible to exit with either a postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma if this is preferred. If you wish, single modules in some areas can be studied as part of professional development and the credits accrued be counted towards the masters award.
We have well established international links and staff have a strong research record, several of whom have an enviable international reputation
Our philosophical statement attempts to encapsulate our approach to learning and teaching. We state that:
"Our focus is education and its significance in the widest sense. Our purpose is to create a safe and ethical environment where we can use our differences to engage in critical and creative thinking and thoughtful action. We aspire to encourage learning through challenge, opportunity, curiosity and inspiration within a community of enquiry."
Application is by the usual University application form.
MPhil and PhD
These high level awards are increasing in popularity and attract those wishing to study in detail a topic of intense personal interest. A first supervisor (who will offer specialised guidance) and a second supervisor (who will have a more general oversight of the project) are allocated and they will steer you through the process.
Registration can be for the MPhil with the option to move towards the PhD or PhD direct. There is an annual review of progress which invloves a formal submission to the school's Research Committee. We offer the traditional PhD (or doctorate) and a PhD by Professional Practice, which resembles what is often termed a 'professional doctorate' (or EdD). This allows professionals, in whatever field, to put forward a case for their work (a project, an initiative) being innovative in some way, and documenting this in a portfolio of work.
Finally, there is a PhD by Publication, which itself has two options: those who have already published either academic or creative work, can apply to submit this, together with an analytical commentary, to be considered for an award. Alternatively, a researcher can commit to publishing their work prospectively, in a number of identified academic or creative outlets, again providing an analytical commentary on what they have achieved.
Don't be overwhelmed by the apparent enormity of the application process, I or your supervisor will guide you through what is actually a straightforward process.
For informal advice on any of the above education awards contact:
Dr. David Kitchener
01204 903347
dak1@bolton.ac.uk|
We hope you can join us.