phd at uwe

How to apply

Everything you need to know about research degrees at UWE Bristol, from finding out if a research degree is the right thing for you, to start dates and fees, and how to apply.

Available research degrees

Find out what research degree programmes are available at UWE Bristol and what they entail.

Eligibility and how to apply

Find out about the minimum criteria for admissions onto our research degree programmes and how to apply.

Fees and funding

View Doctoral Academy tuition fees, other fees and funding sources.

Reasons to study a research degree

A research degree is a big commitment. Start here and ask yourself whether a research degree at UWE Bristol is right for you.

Studentship opportunities

Learn more about studentship opportunities at the Doctoral Academy.

Support during your degree

Support from the Doctoral Academy available to postgraduate researchers at UWE Bristol.

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Discover how research at UWE Bristol is making a real impact.

Contact the Doctoral Academy

Ways to contact the Doctoral Academy, from postgraduate research support to submitting your thesis.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 20 February 2024

Introduction

The UWE EdD has been running since 2000 and has recently undergone a re-validation in order to ensure it continues to provide the most up to date teaching methods and content.

It is aimed at professionals from many areas of action - teachers from all sectors, educational administrators, policy officers, professionals involved in education in their specialist field such as nurses, paramedics, social workers, occupational therapists, community workers and others. Our goal is to better understand and improve programmes of training and education and, through this, to improve professional services and their role in a democracy.

The teaching on the EdD programme is highly interactive. It is seminar and workshop-based, and has a supportive supervision framework. The taught element (Years 1 and 2) is driven by practical research tasks. Assessment throughout is designed to put professional learning to the forefront, and to derive from this the academic standards which will allow us, eventually, to confer the award of a Doctor of Education.

What is an EdD?

The Doctor of Education is equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD. It comprises four to six years part-time study and allows you to use the title 'Dr'.

Like other EdD programmes, the EdD study at the University of the West of England comprises a mix of taught and research elements. Taught elements happen mainly in seminars and workshops with a number of tutors, and research elements are conducted under the supervision of one tutor.

What does 'doctor level' mean?

Enquiry-based work at doctor level is expected to lead to the generation of original knowledge, and this implies a greater intolerance of closure and resolution of issues and controversies; and a correspondingly higher level of tolerance for complexity.

We would expect, for example, compared to work at Master's level, a keener and more critical reading of research literature with the ability to differentiate between competing schools of thought. The capacity to bring to bear multiple contexts for understanding an educational issue (political, ethical, personal, historical, methodological).

The programme is organised into 2 parts.

Four taught modules of 30 credits each, giving a total of 120 credits:

• Action Research and Evaluation in Education - This module explores the methods and challenges involved when professionals engage in researching their own practice and/or context. Issues of reflexivity and ethics are particularly focused upon.
• Theoretical Perspectives on Teaching and Learning - A range of theoretical perspectives available to researchers in educational settings are discussed in this module including, as an example sociocultural theory.
• Researching Educational Policies and Professional Identities - Methodologies and methods for studying education policies and professional identities are the focus for this module.
• Advanced Preparation for Research - This module allows students to develop their skills and understanding in developing their own research proposal

Supervised study with a Director of Studies and one or more supervisors supporting you as you engage in a piece of research resulting in a written thesis of 60,000 words.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Will I have specialist support for my research?

There are two aspects to research supervision: support for the substantive theme of your research (eg management styles, nursing practice, policy training, social bases for pupil disaffection) and support for the methodological challenges you face (eg is it appropriate to use a survey or how do I handle the ethics of observing the work of my colleagues?).

We will always provide support for methodological challenges and if required, will also provide support for the substantive theme of your research. However, some people prefer to cope with the substantive challenge themselves and to use supervision to advance their methodological understanding.

We can offer supervision across a wide range of substantive and methodological fields, some examples of which include: case study; statistical procedures; quasi-experimental design; grounded theory; discourse analysis; social theory (eg. Bourdieu); action research; interpretative sociology; life history research; feminist approaches; questionnaire design; narrative research; focus group work.

Student Views

"The EdD route was particularly helpful for me, after a gap of several years. Since completion of my Masters, it encouraged me to get back into the disciplines of evaluating sources, of relating theory to practice effectively, and of being appropriately academically critical. As a part-time student, the level of online support and a community of mature fellow-learners from comparable academic backgrounds was a great benefit."

"Overall the EdD was a hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience... A number of key strands remain with me; a continuing interest and engagement with both the substantive and research literature, a more profound knowledge of a number of important areas of my work in education, and a broader horizon of approaches to understand complex issues". 

"I was fortunate in that I had my headteacher role already, so the EdD has not advanced my career in the orthodox sense but it has advanced my knowledge, skills and confidence".

Hear more from our EdD students.

What will my time commitment be?

Each component has a specified number of hours 'contact time'. In addition, you should plan to spend between 20 to 30 hours each month engaged in personal and directed study.

Study facilities

The Department of Education at UWE's Frenchay Campus has excellent facilities and resources for learning and teaching. It's modern, purpose-built facilities provide high quality teaching rooms with state-of-the-art technology available. The department has excellent IT facilities and houses an open learning area with the latest equipment.

The education department's research centre, BRIDGE holds seminars approximately monthly with a variety of staff and postgraduate students from across the university, and national and international speakers.

Find out more about the facilities and resources UWE has to offer.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Education and Teaching facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

For information about fees, please see our Graduate School fees and funding pages.

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Entry requirements

Participants will normally hold a Masters degree and will have a minimum of four years' experience in a relevant professional area.

For further information regarding this course, please feel free to contact the tutors:

• Professor Jane Andrews - email [email protected] or phone +44 (0)117 32 84186
• Professor Richard Waller - email [email protected] or phone +44 (0)117 32 84100

How to apply

Follow the link below to begin your online application:

Apply here.

All applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be invited to interview to discuss their application to the course.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates .

For further information

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81363

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MA Education (part-time distance learning 3-5 years)

Research, Business and Innovation blog

An enhanced Partnership PhD scheme at UWE Bristol

UWE Bristol has recently announced a significant increase in funding for organisations interested in Partnership PhDs .  

A Partnership PhD bridges the gap between organisations and universities. It enables an organisation to gain access to cutting-edge real world research that can help transform it.

The Partnership establishes a relationship between an organisation and UWE Bristol, based on a specific project that is mutually beneficial.

Organisations have the opportunity to choose a relevant research area and gain access to cutting-edge research. The researcher will  work extensively with an organisation to provide a tailored piece of research. 

In turn, the researcher will gain an opportunity to pursue their research in a real-world setting, developing transferable and interdisciplinary skills whilst gaining cross-sector experience.

Over the past two years, the Graduate School, part of the Research, Business and Innovation team at UWE Bristol, has been developing the Partnership PhD scheme.  Through it, UWE’s investment in PGR has been matched by over £1m from 23 partner organisations – an amount that we now hope to significantly increase.  

You can apply for a Partnership PhD here .

Please find below full Partnership PhD guidance and costings:

View the flyer for businesses here or view the slides below:

Email [email protected] to find out more. 

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Multiple Fully-funded PhD studentships at UWE Bristol

Multiple funded phd positions in sustainable catalysis at eth zurich [closing…, apply now: funded phd position in environmental or ecological economics at…, 15 funded phd studentships – “inventwater: inventive forecasting tools for adapting…, full time contract for senior research scientist in urban-scale modelling at…, marie curie postdoctoral fellowships at cmcc, italy [5 positions available], postdoctoral research assistant in climate prediction and projection at the university…, bonn sdg fellowships 2021 for talented postdoctoral researchers, peking university and the international institute for applied systems analysis (iiasa)…, un global compact sdg pioneers award 2021 for young leaders, zayed sustainability prize 2022 for sustainability innovators.

• Multidisciplinary

Deadline: May 19, 2023

An exciting opportunity to apply for eight fully funded PhD positions in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment, UWE Bristol.

About the PhD Studentship

The  College of Arts, Technology and Environment  at UWE Bristol has a strong and continually evolving research environment. We submitted a significant proportion of our staff to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework ( REF 2021 ) and over 75% of our submitted research was judged to be internationally excellent or of world leading quality.

They welcome PhD applications that focus on one or more of our core themes, and that align with one or more of the college’s disciplinary strengths.

Core research themes

• Creative industries/Technologies
• Digital arts/Design/Technologies
• Health and wellbeing
• Inclusivity and social justice
• Sustainability and climate change

Candidates for these PhD positions will be interviewed by a panel including the relevant school’s Associate Head for Research, members of the potential supervisory team, and a senior researcher from the school. Following this interview process, the successful candidates will be offered a studentship and unsuccessful candidates will be notified within two weeks of the interview.

Candidates who meet the criteria to study at UWE Bristol but are not offered one of the eight studentships will be offered the opportunity to consider pursuing a self-funded PhD.

They particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, multiple heritage or other minority ethnic candidates as we are currently under-represented in these areas within UWE Bristol. However, all appointments are made strictly on individual merits.

Eligibility

• You would normally be expected to have a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject area.
• A related Masters’ degree or further appropriate research experience is desirable.
• A recognised  English language qualification  is required.

Application

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number  2324-OCT-CATE03

Supporting documentation : You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of  English language proficiency  as attachments to your application, so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References : You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references  within 14 days  of your application being submitted.

For more information , please contact:

• Professor David Greenham, College Director of Research at  [email protected]
• Dr Stephen Hall, Research Degrees Committee Chair at  [email protected]

If you have not heard from them by  16 June 2023 , on this occasion you have not been successful.

Visit the institution website

To apply for this Vacancy , Click here

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16 phd programs – fully funded at uwe bristol, england.

University of the West of England – UWE Bristol, England, England invites online application for multiple fully funded PhD Programs (£17,668 per annum) in various research areas. The studentship is available from 01 April 2023 for a period of three and half years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £17,668 per annum. Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible.

1. PhD Programs in Additive Manufacturing (3D-Printing) of Elastomeric Latticed Structured Footwear for Patients with Diabetic Foot Disease

Summary of phd positions:.

This project aims to develop a novel pressure relieving footwear based on additively manufactured (AM) cellular lattice structures to minimize the pressure on the heel and arch, thus reducing the occurrence of foot ulcers. The project will utilise a state-of-the-art laser sintering machine to fabricate a range of high energy absorbing footwears using soft elastomeric materials.

The project also aims to formulate natural antimicrobial materials to minimise infections. Applying innovative 3D lattice generation tools and advanced computational methods, the successful PhD will develop functionally gradient conformal footwears with antimicrobial properties to achieve tailored stiffness and lightweights by using parametric and field-driven optimisation techniques.

Application Deadlines: 8 January 2023

2. phd programs in resilient and environmentally-sustainable conservation strategies for conflict-damaged heritage.

This collaborative UWE Bristol and Sheffield Hallam University project focusses on stone-built heritage, where exposure to ballistic and/or explosive impacts creates craters as well as subsurface fracture networks and loss of stone matrix density. While stone is a resilient and durable building material in comparison to weaker materials (e.g. wood), it does deteriorate when exposed to stress such as temperature change and moisture movement. Stone-built heritage sites are therefore at risk of natural deterioration, which is substantially accelerated when high-energy events (e.g. a ballistic projectile or blast) impacts the surface.

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3. PhD Programs in Improving the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects

Mitigating the impacts of climate change and planning for sustainable futures are arguably the key challenges of our age. In England and Wales, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) such as transport networks, waste facilities and large-scale renewable energy projects are a critical part of this. However, they are subject to a separate planning regime, which has been criticized for being slow and inflexible, creating challenges for the delivery of these crucial projects.

4. PhD Programs in Improving project cost estimates using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

This doctoral study will propose practical digital solutions that can overcome the challenges and promote the opportunities to improve cost performance of construction projects using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Use of AI has helped to achieve significant enhancement of service processes and industry productivity in recent years, alongside enhance automation, and provides competitive advantage as compared to conventional approaches. This research aims to develop a novel approach which will adopt AI in the interpretation and analysis of cost data that would generate more accurate and reliable order of cost estimates (OCE) and related cost risk assessment for construction projects.

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5. phd programs in smart city governance – planning net-zero communities.

Cities have set ambitious targets for climate change mitigation and transition to net-zero communities. At the same time Covid-19 has promoted a “new-normal” living, and new opportunities for transition to net-zero communities have arisen. However, limitations of urban governance to effect transition have been exposed, demonstrating the urgency for new governance solutions. Cities face a common challenge, that of developing effective planning solutions to deliver carbon neutrality whilst transitioning towards the post-pandemic “new-normal”.

6. PhD Programs in IoT Intrusion Detection Using Group Outlier Detection Methods and Advanced Artificial Intelligence Approaches

The proposed project will investigate the use of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods for retrieving group traffic outliers in internet of things (IoT). This will be useful for detecting complex intrusions and DDoS attacks. The candidate will start this project by identifying the limitations of utilising traditional solutions as a mechanism to identify intrusion in IoT environments. They will investigate the advantages of combining data and deep learning in deriving data traffic group outliers then propose original models for IoT traffic by exploring advanced concepts such as graph-based network traffic correlation XAI solutions, e.g., Shapley value method. GPU implementation will also be considered for scalability.

Looking For More Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

7. phd programs in distributed digital twins in smart manufacturing for advanced persistent threat (apt) detection.

The increasing use of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) as part of an interconnected Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) has made them a target for sophisticated Advanced Persistent Attacks (APTs) as evidenced by attacks such as Stuxnet and the recent Colonial Pipelines attacks. This PhD research will explore the use of distributed Digital Twins (DTs) in improving CPS system security using the Siemens Festo Learning Factory platform.

8. PhD Programs in South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership – student-led awards

UWE Bristol invites applications to undertake doctoral research that focuses on a subject area within AHRC primary research supported by SWW2. To find a suitable supervisor at UWE Bristol please see UWEs research centre and group pages. In addition potential applicants may want to look at individual staff profiles.

Application Deadlines: 16 January 2023

Get professional job ready & in-demand career certificates, 9. phd programs in south, west and wales doctoral training partnership.

The SWW2 Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA) allow you to contribute to the development of a research project that has already been outlined by a team of established researchers within our consortium and partner organisations. Each CDA includes provision for specific skills training to support the research to be undertaken, and also for employability enhancement opportunities within and beyond academia. Your research proposal should explain the direction you propose to take the project, the expertise you bring to the project, and the particular career development opportunities you are most interested in capitalising upon.

10. PhD Programs in South West Doctoral Training Partnership

The South West Doctoral Training Partnership ( SWDTP ) is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences. UWE Bristol joined the SWDTP in 2016, bringing world-class research expertise to the Sustainable Futures and Health and Wellbeing pathways. Opportunities are available for research study in these pathways based in a number of our Research Centres and groups. Our research is characterised by our partnerships with external organisations, and provides good opportunities for working collaboratively to undertake research that will make a real impact.

Application Deadlines: 13 January 2023

Looking for funded scholarships programs click here, 11. phd programs in law, decolonisation and climate change.

Historical responsibility for climate change is at the heart of climate change discourse. This includes degradation of the environment facilitated by states of the Global North, decades past. While the phenomenon of climate change is no doubt a global threat, it is arguably being borne disproportionately by those who live in the Global South, where vulnerability to climate change is generally high and adaptation capacity is low. Famine, floods, displacement are the consequences of the unbridled resource extraction and consumption from the Global North, a process with its roots in the systemic exploitation of people and planet by old colonial powers.

Application Deadlines: 15 January 2023

12. phd programs in exploring decision-making around data access.

Greater availability of confidential government data for research has dramatically increased the opportunities for policy-relevant social science analysis. This has been driven by two factors: technological and procedural developments allowing highly secure but researcher-friendly analysis environments, and legislative changes. However, there are still significant barriers to greater use of public data resources, and these arise partly from the institutional structure of government. These barriers can arise at different stages: at the conceptual level of granting access to data sources, when determining rules for using the data, when reviewing specific applications.

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13. phd programs in leading to address climate change.

This PhD project aims to generate learning on planned and emergent approaches to leadership in the face of global climate challenges. The project will offer compelling conceptual and empirical research evidence on alternative views of leadership and leading in relation to this most significant challenge facing organisations and societies around the world.

The successful PhD candidate will be interested in extending understanding of leadership through workers / citizens / communities / social movements that holds the potential for change in leadership practices. The project should strive to explore the role of leadership in framing concepts such as sustainability and climate change, as well as mobilising influence and authority to address the crisis.

14. PhD Programs in What’s in it for me?

In 2016, volunteering in the UK totalled 2.633 million FTE, 1.49 million of which was undertaken by women, who were typically white, middle-class, middle-aged, from higher socio-economic groups and well-educated backgrounds (NCVO, 2019). Numerous benefits to voluntary work have been identified, from both the individual and organisation perspectives, including the acquisition of new skills and experiences for both and improved wellbeing for volunteers (Weller et al, 2021; Kearney, 2007).

15. PhD Programs in The impacts of anthropogenic noise on bats

The impacts of anthropogenic noise on wildlife present significant challenges for consultant ecologists and developers responsible for delivering new urban development in line with UK legislation which protects bats from disturbance. Despite a recent review, the impacts of noise on bats are not well understood, and there is lack of evidence-based guidance for mitigation of impacts according to species, behaviour and noise levels.

Application Deadlines: 30 January 2023

16. phd programs in south west doctoral training partnership.

The South West Doctoral Training Partnership ( SWDTP ) is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences. UWE Bristol joined the SWDTP in 2016, bringing world-class research expertise to the Sustainable Futures and Health and Wellbeing pathways. Opportunities are available for research study in these pathways based in a number of our Research Centres and groups.

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PhD opportunities at UWE

UWE Bristol is currently accepting applications for PhD students under two separate programmes of relevance to students interested in pursuing ‘water and environment’ related studies.

There is a general competition for PhD studentships (tuition paid plus a stipend of approximately £13k/year) with a deadline date for applications of 27 May 2014 .  Further details can be found here .

There is also a second competitive round for students willing to undertake studies specifically relevant to the ongoing work of the International Water Security Network. Whatever specific subject is agreed, the research must incorporate attention to significant policy dimensions and be orientated towards providing a clear public benefit through research. The student appointed will be expected to play a significant role in interacting with the wider project and contributing to the overall programme of work. The deadline for applications is  12 June 2014 –    further details can be found here .

Current PhD students are:

• Jenna Brown
• Wilhelmina Drayton
• Bhuwan Thapa

If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact  [email protected]