Cohort PhD in Education

This Cohort PhD in Education programme from University College Cork involves the completion of high-level research work leading to the submission and examination of a PhD Thesis (up to a maximum of 60,000 words), work on which is undertaken over the 48 months of the programme. The thesis will be completed and submitted for assessment at the end of Year 4.

The introduction of this Cohort PhD in Education programme from University College Cork in 2008 was a response to the demand for doctoral-level work in the field of education in Ireland. It was also a response to changing views about doctoral study reflected in the international critique of the solo scholar/supervisor model of the traditional PhD, particularly concerning the need for more systematic training in a broader range of advanced research methodologies. The Cohort PhD offers a cohort experience from the beginning of the four-year programme, requiring the kind of collaboration and responsibility expected in high-level professional practice.

Skills and Careers Information

Cohort PhD researchers in Cohort 1 (2008), Cohort 2 (2011), and Cohort 3 (2019) have been or are working in schools (teachers and school management), adult/further education sectors, third-level (lecturers in university) and others working in the field of education (agencies, government departments) or cognate areas of professional practice with an interest in developing their expertise in teaching, learning, assessment and/or policy analysis.

Modules

• Educational Inquiry and Philosophies of Educational Research

• Advanced Research Methods for Contemporary Issues in Education

• Colloquium in Designing and Conducting Educational Research