PhD work centres on research leading to a dissertation of 80,000 words. With the support of academic supervisors to guide you, you undertake research training and design and conduct your own research project. We offer high-quality supervision by internationally recognised scholars in areas including educational psychology, education policy, higher education, teaching and learning in schools, professional development, learning in the city, non-formal education, lifelong learning and assessment. Academic staff include experienced researchers with methodological expertise in advanced quantitative methods, experimental methods, a range of qualitative research methods and mixed methods. You will be part of a large, diverse doctoral community in an atmosphere that is exciting, creative and welcoming.

You can expect:

membership of a research centre, network and/or faculty-wide research group that includes staff and postgraduate researchers;

a minimum of four taught research methods accredited by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC);

networking opportunities with other doctoral researchers across disciplines and neighbouring universities through membership of the South West Doctoral Training Partnership and Bristol Doctoral College;

support for attending conferences and publishing research;

opportunities to apply for short-term paid research assistant and teaching assistant roles;

access to professional development and short training courses tailored for postgraduate researchers;

access to a dedicated school library on site, faculty and other University libraries;

modern and well-appointed study spaces within the School of Education and in the wider university;

opportunities to participate in seminars (often featuring national and international visitors), research student seminars, reading groups and specialist methodological workshops.