phd education cambridge university

Our cookies

We use cookies for three reasons: to give you the best experience on PGS, to make sure the PGS ads you see on other sites are relevant , and to measure website usage. Some of these cookies are necessary to help the site work properly and can’t be switched off. Cookies also support us to provide our services for free, and by click on “Accept” below, you are agreeing to our use of cookies .You can manage your preferences now or at any time.

Privacy overview

We use cookies, which are small text files placed on your computer, to allow the site to work for you, improve your user experience, to provide us with information about how our site is used, and to deliver personalised ads which help fund our work and deliver our service to you for free.

The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.

You can accept all, or else manage cookies individually. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. This will remove all cookies previously placed on your browser.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, or how to clear your browser cookies data see our Cookies Notice

Manage consent preferences

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

They are essential for you to browse the website and use its features.

You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We can’t identify you from these cookies.

Functional cookies

These help us personalise our sites for you by remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers, whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then these services may not function properly.

Performance cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and see where our traffic comes from, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. The cookies cannot directly identify any individual users.

If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to improve its performance for you.

Marketing cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by social media services or our advertising partners. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to see or use the content sharing tools.

Advertising cookies may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but work by uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they won’t be tailored to your interests.

PhD in Education

University of cambridge, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Education Studies

Course type

The PhD is a research degree, the main purpose of which is to prepare a substantial piece of original research.

Our postgraduate students, from all over the world, make an important contribution to their respective fields and to the vitality of the Faculty's research culture. The Faculty has long-established relationships with both national and international agencies and institutions.

One of the great strengths of studying at Cambridge is the level of individual support you will receive from an expert in your field. The Faculty assigns all doctoral students a supervisor to guide them through their course. All doctoral students also participate in a guided programme that introduces them to the key questions and concerns of contemporary, world-leading educational research. Students are encouraged to play an active role in research seminars and engage in opportunities for acquiring transferable skills.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Merit).

Education MA

Middlesex university, higher education pgcert, ma in education, university of hull, phd education, ma in special educational needs, disabilities and inclusion.

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Study With Us
• Centre of Development Studies
• Welcome overview
• Annual Report 2022-23
• How to find us
• Our People overview
• Director: Professor Maha Abdelrahman
• Academic Staff
• Academics for PhD Supervision Nomination
• Senior Affiliated and Emeritus
• Administrative Staff
• PhD Students
• Study With Us overview
• MPhil in Development Studies overview
• Application and Deadlines
• Fees and Funding
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Testimonials from Students
• PhD in Development Studies overview
• Visiting Scholars
• Current Students overview
• MPhil in Development Studies

PhD in Development Studies

• Alumni overview
• How to support Development Studies
• Careers after the MPhil
• Events overview
• Work with us

Description

Most of our PhD students spend their second year away from Cambridge, conducting their fieldwork for which some limited financial assistance is available.

A part-time PhD route is available and proceeds in a similar sequence but over a longer duration, with a maximum allowed length of seven years. Candidates who intend to carry out fieldwork as part of their doctoral research cannot be considered for the part-time route.

In the first year of the PhD programme there is a focus on training in research methods and transferable skills. Students will take a Research Methods course and it is compulsory for all first year PhD students to attend, including part-time students. Students are also encouraged to attend seminars and other events that are organised by the Centre of Development Studies and departments throughout the University, such as the Social Sciences Research Methods Centre .  All candidates for the PhD programme are not at first registered for the degree, as they have to pass a  registration exercise  towards the end of the first academic year of study. The registration exercise aims to ensure that the candidate’s project is viable, that an appropriate methodology has been developed, and that the candidate is capable of carrying the project through successfully. Failure to pass the registration (which may be repeated only once) will result in removal from the course. Details of First Year Assessment for current First Year students are found on Moodle.

Transferable Skills Training  is available through the University and further information can be found  here . 

PhD students are invited to give a presentation on their own research at seminars run by the Centre. This is a great opportunity to develop presentation skills and receive valuable feedback from both senior academics and peers relating to their thesis. Presentation of a paper at one of these seminars is a requirement of the PhD programme.

The essence of the Cambridge experience , however, is that the PhD candidate works closely with the PhD supervisor. He or she will help the candidate develop the thesis project through discussion and the review of draft materials presented by the candidate. 

The process of working on the thesis will differ from candidate to candidate, depending on their project, their preferences and the style of supervision adopted. However, in general, it is expected that the first year will be devoted not only to completing the Research Methods modules, but also to the development of a detailed and well thought-through thesis outline and methodology. In particular, at the outset, the student should devote some time to considering how they will be making an original contribution to the field through their work.

As members of a research-oriented institution, Cambridge University academic staff are entitled to sabbatical leave . As a result, it is possible that in any particular term or year one of the members of the academic staff may be away. The University always endeavours to make appropriate arrangements for substitute teaching, but occasionally one or another option may be suspended during a staff member's leave.

By the end of the programme , candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research, teaching or both) or another profession related to the field of development studies. 

For details of the virtual Postgraduate Open Day, held in November each year: Postgraduate Open Day

The  application and deadlines   page contains details of the entry requirements and all the key dates to be aware of for funding opportunities., the  fees and funding  page contains details of schemes specific to this course., the  frequently asked questions page should cover anything else that the other pages have missed.

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges and Departments
• Email and phone search
• Give to Cambridge
• Museums and collections
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Postgraduate events
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement

Topic description and stories

The unschooled anthropologist working with Q'eqchi' weavers

Living for ten months with Q’eqchi’ weavers in the Alta Verapaz of Guatemala, PhD student Callie Vandewiele watched and listened as the women crafted...

Cambridge receives new funding to support PhD students in science and engineering

The University of Cambridge has received new government and industrial funding to support at least 350 PhD students over the next eight years, via...

Postgraduate Open Day 2017 - meet our postgrads

Nearly 10,000 postgraduate students from more than 250 countries, working in countless different subject areas, contribute to Cambridge’s thriving...

Step inside the mind of the young Stephen Hawking as his PhD thesis goes online for first time

Stephen Hawking’s PhD thesis, ‘ Properties of expanding universes’ , has been made freely available to anyone, anywhere in the world, after being...

Astrazeneca and Cambridge announce new joint PhD and clinical research scholarships

AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge today announced three new joint schemes to support more than 80 PhD scholarships and eight clinical...

Connect with us

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility statement
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Cambridge University Press & Assessment
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Student blogs and videos
• Why Cambridge

Qualifications directory

• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Frequently asked questions
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Term dates and calendars
• Video and audio
• Find an expert
• Publications
• International Cambridge
• Public engagement
• Giving to Cambridge
• For current students
• For business
• Colleges & departments
• Libraries & facilities
• Museums & collections
• Email & phone search
• Graduate Admissions
• Prospective Graduate Students

Studying at Cambridge

• Department of Geography

PhDs in Geography and the Scott Polar Research Institute

• Postgraduate study
• MPhil study
• MPhil in Anthropocene Studies
• MPhil in Conservation Leadership
• MPhil in Geography
• MPhil in Holocene Climates
• MPhil in Polar Studies
• How to apply (MPhil)
• PhD degrees
• Studentships
• Environmental Science PhD topics
• Advice – demystifying postgraduate research admissions
• Videos about postgraduate study
• Current PhD students
• Visiting PhD Students scheme
• Post-doctoral research
• Contact details

The Department has a large community of around 80 PhD students working on their own projects. The PhD students at Geography and the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) study a broad range of topics that reflect the diverse interests of the academic staff in the Department.

1. Before making an application

Before applying, you should satisfy yourself that advanced study in your chosen research topic can be supervised by an academic at Geography or SPRI. Acceptance of any applicant will be dependent on specialist supervision being available. Unfortunately, if we cannot supervise your topic, we will decline your application regardless of its academic merit. Please check the research groups then look through the online staff list .

Identification of a potential supervisor does not imply a guarantee of admission and the full admissions procedure must be followed in all cases. If your potential supervisor’s details are available from our website, you may e-mail the person with a draft research proposal (maximum 2,000 words). If contact details are not available, kindly e-mail the Postgraduate Office Administrator with your research proposal and the name(s) of whom you are trying to contact.

2. Go to the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Pages

Go to the University’s Postgraduate Admissions pages which has all the information you need to make a formal application. Applicants should plan well in advance to ensure their papers can be processed in time. The deadline for all PhD applicants is March 26th 2024.

Please note this deadline does not apply to applicants for the Cambridge ESRC DTP Interdisciplinary Studentship , who should contact graduate.enquiries @ geog.cam.ac.uk before making an application.

When making the formal application PhD applicants will need to provide a statement (maximum 2,000 words) detailing your research proposal, including aims and methods, sources and the location of the proposed research. Your proposal should include a list of specific resource needs for your research such as travel budget, fieldwork, laboratory equipment, chemical and IT needs. Please state in your application which academic in the Department your believe has interests that are closest to your own and therefore might supervise your research. It is advisable to approach the Academic identified in advance to discuss your proposal.

Physical Geography applicants choosing from the list of topics do not need to include a research proposal but should include information about why you have chosen a topic and the relevant experience you have for the chosen topic.

If you are applying for a PhD programme, and have only recently started a masters degree at a new institution, we understand that it may be more suitable for you to request references from your prior academic and/or professional environment.

Cambridge Funding Competitions deadlines:

GATES (US) – 11th October 2023;

GATES (non-US), Trusts and Research Councils – 5th December 2023;

NERC DTP ( home and international students ) – 5th January 2024 (although you are encouraged to apply by 5th December to be considered for other funding sources too).

Applications must be made in advance of these dates to be considered for funding, please note these deadlines are earlier than the final admissions deadline. Please also note these deadlines include submission of all your references which must have been submitted by your referees in advance of these funding deadlines.

Doctoral work in the Department is funded through Research Council funding ( ESRC , AHRC and NERC ), studentships from the Cambridge Trust , the Gates Foundation and other funding agencies. While the Geography Department has modest funds for fieldwork or conference attendance, it does not fund PhD studentships.

• Overseas applicants should look in particular at scholarships available through the Gates Foundation and scholarships administered by the Cambridge Trust . You should apply for these by the advertised deadline when you complete your formal application. Information can be found and eligibility can be checked via the University’s Postgraduate Admissions page.
• UK students should look in particular at the Research Council studentships and funding available via the Cambridge Trust .

It is advisable to complete a Funding Search to help you find the most suitable funding options from those listed above.

Finance information for PhD courses run by the Department is to be found from the University’s Postgraduate Admissions pages .

In addition to fees and maintenance, you will need to ensure you have funds to cover all fieldwork, laboratory work, access to data, archives and travel needs for the length of your study. You should ensure that you have sufficient funds or that your funding body provides sufficient support.

Apply now for entry in 2024

See more videos about Postgraduate study at the Department of Geography

PhD in Geography: Full course details

PhD in Polar Studies: Full course details

Funding opportunities

• Studentships / funding
• Physical Geography/Environmental Science PhD studentships / funding

Related links

• Research groups in the Department
• Picking a College
• IT information
• Continuing from an MPhil to a PhD
• PhD in Polar Studies
• Postgraduate Admissions
• Contact details at Geography
• About this site
• Site privacy & cookie policies
• Login with Raven
• Page last updated: 2nd October 2022 by Webmaster

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• University A-Z
• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Terms and conditions
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Spotlight on...
• About research at Cambridge

Gutman Library

Welcome to the Library

Search hollis.

Search for books and articles using Harvard Library's primary search tool, HOLLIS.

Search 3-in-1

Use 3-in-1 to search education articles . This requires an HUID to login. 

Get quick help in multiple ways.

Start a Live Chat →

Today's hours.

Weekly Hours | Contact Us | Map

Make an Appointment

Get in-depth one-on-one or small group appointments for students to aid in all their research, writing, technology, and data needs.

Research and Digital Scholarship

Comprehensive research and digital scholarship appointments at all stages of the research process.

HGSE Writing Services

Responding to course assignment prompts, organizing their papers/research projects, or proposals.

HGSE Communications Lab (CommLab)

Assistance with academic or professional presentations, creating an elevator pitch, making research posters, and enhancing a digital brand.

HGSE Data Lab

Information about data in education.

Helpful Information

Research tools and support, alumni and visitors services, accessibility services, facilities and equipment, library hours, collections, events, and gallery.

Collections 

Gutman's collections represent and support the research of HGSE faculty and students.

Gutman Book Talks

Celebrate important scholarship in the field of education with discussion of current issues in the field of education research, practice, and policy.

Gutman Gallery

As part of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Gutman Gallery is committed to showcasing art within a learning environment.

Are we providing you with all the services you need?

Tell us how we are doing and give us your input into our policies, procedures, spaces, services, etc.

Follow Gutman Library

• Cambridge Libraries

Physical & Digital Collections

Theses & dissertations: home, access to theses and dissertations from other institutions and from the university of cambridge.

This guide provides information on searching for theses of Cambridge PhDs and for theses of UK universities and universities abroad. 

For information and guidance on depositing your thesis as a cambridge phd, visit the cambridge office of scholarly communication pages on theses here ., this guide gives essential information on how to obtain theses using the british library's ethos service. .

On the last weekend of October, the British Library became the victim of a major cyber-attack. Essential digital services including the BL catalogue, website and online learning resources went dark, with research services like the EThOS collection of more than 600,000 doctoral theses suddenly unavailable. The BL state that they anticipate restoring more services in the next few weeks, but disruption to certain services is now expected to persist for several months. For the latest news on the attack and information on the restoration of services, please follow the BL blog here:  Knowledge Matters blog  and access the LibGuide page here:  British Library Outage Update - Electronic Legal Deposit - LibGuides at University of Cambridge Subject Libraries

A full list of resources for searching theses online is provided by the Cambridge A-Z, available here .

University of Cambridge theses

Finding a cambridge phd thesis online via the institutional repository.

The University's institutional repository, Apollo , holds full-text digital versions of over 11,000 Cambridge PhD theses and is a rapidly growing collection deposited by Cambridge Ph.D. graduates. Theses in Apollo can be browsed via this link . More information on how to access theses by University of Cambridge students can be found on the access to Cambridge theses webpage.   The requirement for impending PhD graduates to deposit a digital version in order to graduate means the repository will be increasing at a rate of approximately 1,000 per year from this source.   About 200 theses are added annually through requests to make theses Open Access or via requests to digitize a thesis in printed format.

Locating and obtaining a copy of a Cambridge PhD thesis (not yet available via the repository)

Theses can be searched in iDiscover .  Guidance on searching for theses in iDiscover can be found here .   Requests for consultation of printed theses, not available online, should be made at the Manuscripts Reading Room (Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)1223 333143).   Further information on the University Library's theses, dissertations and prize essays collections can be consulted at this link .

Researchers can order a copy of an unpublished thesis which was deposited in print form either through the Library’s  Digital Content Unit via the image request form , or, if the thesis has been digitised, it may be available in the Apollo repository. Copies of theses may be provided to researchers in accordance with the  law  and in a manner that is common across UK libraries.  The law allows us to provide whole copies of unpublished theses to individuals as long as they sign a declaration saying that it is for non-commercial research or private study.

How to make your thesis available online through Cambridge's institutional repository

Are you a Cambridge alumni and wish to make your Ph.D. thesis available online? You can do this by depositing it in Apollo the University's institutional repository. Click here for further information on how to proceed.    Current Ph.D students at the University of Cambridge can find further information about the requirements to deposit theses on the Office of Scholarly Communication theses webpages.

UK Theses and Dissertations

Electronic copies of Ph.D. theses submitted at over 100 UK universities are obtainable from EThOS , a service set up to provide access to all theses from participating institutions. It achieves this by harvesting e-theses from Institutional Repositories and by digitising print theses as they are ordered by researchers using the system. Over 250,000 theses are already available in this way. Please note that it does not supply theses submitted at the universities of Cambridge or Oxford although they are listed on EThOS.

Registration with EThOS is not required to search for a thesis but is necessary to download or order one unless it is stored in the university repository rather than the British Library (in which case a link to the repository will be displayed). Many theses are available without charge on an Open Access basis but in all other cases, if you are requesting a thesis that has not yet been digitised you will be asked to meet the cost. Once a thesis has been digitised it is available for free download thereafter.

When you order a thesis it will either be immediately available for download or writing to hard copy or it will need to be digitised. If you order a thesis for digitisation, the system will manage the process and you will be informed when the thesis is available for download/preparation to hard copy.

See the Search results section of the  help page for full information on interpreting search results in EThOS.

EThOS is managed by the British Library and can be found at http://ethos.bl.uk . For more information see About EThOS .

World-wide (incl. UK) theses and dissertations

Electronic versions of non-UK theses may be available from the institution at which they were submitted, sometimes on an open access basis from the institutional repository. A good starting point for discovering freely available electronic theses and dissertations beyond the UK is the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) , which facilitates searching across institutions. Information can also usually be found on the library web pages of the relevant institution.

The DART Europe etheses portal lists several thousand full-text theses from a group of European universities.

The University Library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses  (PQDT) database which from August 31 2023 is accessed on the Web of Science platform.  To search this index select it from the Web of Science "Search in" drop-down list of databases (available on the Documents tab on WoS home page)

PQDT includes 2.4 million dissertation and theses citations, representing 700 leading academic institutions worldwide from 1861 to the present day. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full text coverage for older graduate works. Each dissertation published since July 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Master's theses published since 1988 include 150-word abstracts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The University Library only subscribes to the abstracting & indexing version of the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database and NOT the full text version.  A fee is payable for ordering a dissertation from this source.   To obtain the full text of a dissertation as a downloadable PDF you can submit your request via the University Library Inter-Library Loans department (see contact details below). NB this service is only available to full and current members of the University of Cambridge.

Alternatively you can pay yourself for the dissertation PDF on the PQDT platform. Link from Web of Science record display of any thesis to PQDT by clicking on "View Details on ProQuest".  On the "Preview" page you will see an option "Order a copy" top right.  This will allow you to order your own copy from ProQuest directly.

Dissertations and theses submitted at non-UK universities may also be requested on Inter-Library Loan through the Inter-Library Loans department (01223 333039 or 333080, [email protected] )

• Last Updated: Dec 20, 2023 9:47 AM
• URL: https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/theses

© Cambridge University Libraries | Accessibility | Privacy policy | Log into LibApps

• Northern Ireland
• Hurling & Camogie
• GAA Fixtures & Results
• Personal Finance
• Holidays & Travel
• Food & Drink
• Irish Language
• Entertainment
• Opens in new window

Cambridge students graduate at alternative location due to Gaza protest camp

The university departed from tradition by staging ceremonies away from senate house..

Cambridge University students departed from tradition by having their graduations at an alternative venue due to a pro-Palestinian protest camp outside the building that has been used for ceremonies since the 18th century.

Activists pitched tents outside Senate House earlier this week and the university said on Thursday that it had taken the “very difficult decision” to use an alternative location for Friday’s graduations.

The Cambridge for Palestine group said on social media its “goal from the Senate House yard occupation has been accomplished”.

It said the university had “agreed to negotiate and met a number of our preconditions”, and by mid-Friday morning all tents, flags and banners had been removed from the Senate House lawn.

Plaid Cymru abruptly ends Welsh Labour government co-operation deal

Plumber accused by BBC of raising millions with fake stories complains to Ofcom

On Friday, lines of students in gowns processed from their individual colleges to Downing College, the alternative venue where graduation ceremonies took place.

Graduates were allowed to take photographs of each other in their robes outside Senate House afterwards, with security officers manning the gates to the yard.

A protest encampment remains outside King’s College and Cambridge for Palestine has been posting schedules of activities online each day, including a vigil, prayers and “memorial origami”.

A Cambridge University spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday: “We regret that due to the ongoing presence of protesters on Senate House lawn, we have taken the very difficult decision to make alternative arrangements for the degree congregations this weekend.

“All students who want to graduate this weekend will still be able to attend their degree congregation at an alternative location that is fitting of the occasion.

“We are confident that ceremonies will be a memorable and enjoyable experience for students and their guests.”

More graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday.

Average private school fees soar to more than £18,000 a year

Schools dropping subjects because of teacher recruitment and retention – report

Education Secretary says schools sex guidance will not mean ‘silence’ on gender

Concerns raised about progress of integrated education made by Stormont department

Study of building conditions in Irish language schools highlights ‘systemic under-provision’ in sector

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Course Directory

PhD in English

Postgraduate Study

• Why Cambridge overview
• Chat with our students
• Cambridge explained overview
• The supervision system
• Student life overview
• In and around Cambridge
• Leisure activities
• Student unions
• Music awards
• Student support overview
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disabled students
• Accommodation
• Language tuition
• Skills training
• Support for refugees
• Courses overview
• Department directory
• Qualification types
• Funded studentships
• Part-time study
• Research degrees
• Visiting students
• Finance overview
• Fees overview
• What is my fee status?
• Part-time fees
• Application fee
• Living costs
• Funding overview
• Funding search
• How to apply for funding
• University funding overview
• Research Councils (UKRI)
• External funding and loans overview
• Funding searches
• External scholarships
• Charities and the voluntary sector
• Funding for disabled students
• Widening participation in funding
• Colleges overview
• What is a College?
• Choosing a College
• Terms of Residence
• Applying overview
• Before you apply
• Entry requirements
• Application deadlines
• How do I apply? overview
• Application fee overview
• Application fee waiver
• Life Science courses
• Terms and conditions
• Continuing students
• Disabled applicants
• Supporting documents overview
• Academic documents
• Finance documents
• Evidence of competence in English
• AI and postgraduate applications
• Terms and Conditions
• Applicant portal and self-service
• After you apply overview
• Confirmation of admission
• Student registry
• Previous criminal convictions
• Deferring an application
• Updating your personal details
• Appeals and Complaints
• Widening participation
• Postgraduate admissions fraud
• International overview
• Immigration overview
• ATAS overview
• Applying for an ATAS certificate
• Current Cambridge students
• International qualifications
• Competence in English overview
• What tests are accepted?
• International events
• International student views overview
• Akhila’s story
• Alex’s story
• Huijie’s story
• Kelsey’s story
• Nilesh’s story
• Get in touch!
• Events overview
• Upcoming events
• Postgraduate Open Days overview
• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
• Virtual tour
• Research Internships
• How we use participant data
• Postgraduate Newsletter

Primary tabs

• Overview (active tab)
• Requirements
• How To Apply

Course closed:

English is no longer accepting new applications.

Cambridge is an outstanding place to work on Anglophone literature. Students and scholars benefit from world-class libraries, and from each other. The PhD cohort is diverse and large in number. No particular area or approach is preferred. Faculty members who act as supervisors and advisors for doctoral theses work on a great variety of topics and in varied ways. Proposals of all kinds are therefore welcome: on little-known as well as canonical authors; from innovative and interdisciplinary as well as from more traditional thematic, theoretical, cultural and literary-historical perspectives. Regular postgraduate training sessions offer guidance at every stage of the process - from first-year assessment to learning to teach to applying for jobs. In addition to the formal training, there are excellent opportunities for the sorts of enriching conversations and collaborations that emerge informally, between fellow PhDs, MPhils and Faculty members. Some of these take place under the auspices of the student-run Graduate Research Forum.  Regular Research Seminars focus on particular periods and fields (for instance, Medieval, Nineteenth Century, Postcolonial and Related Literatures); these combine internal and invited speakers, and encourage discussions and relationships between the entire research community.  The Faculty also puts on occasional conferences on all manner of topics; like the research seminars, many of the most successful and exciting ones are conceived of and run by PhD students.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, faculty of english, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Lent 2025 (Closed)

Easter 2025 (closed), funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• English Studies MPhil
• European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures by Advanced Study MPhil
• European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures by thesis MPhil
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Korean Studies) MPhil
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies by Research (Korean Studies) MPhil

Postgraduate Admissions Office

• Admissions Statistics
• Start an Application
• Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

• Bringing a family
• Current Postgraduates
• Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

PhD in Higher Education – Educational Leadership Degree Shaping Organizations for Success

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Become an Authority in Academia with Liberty’s Online PhD in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership Degree Online

If you’re interested in pursuing a research-based career or opportunities in academia, Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership may be a great fit for you. Our higher education PhD online has been designed with your success in mind. Whether you’d like to become a department chair, the dean of a school, provost, or university president, our online doctorate in higher education administration can help you reach your career goals.

As of October 2020, 61.8% of high school graduates between the ages of 16 and 24 were enrolled at a college or university.* This statistic speaks to the importance of qualified higher education administrators. Millions of young Americans attend college in hopes of earning an education, boosting their earning potential, increasing their employability, and forging lifelong connections.

As a higher education administrator, you’ll play a crucial role in building and maintaining a university setting that students want to attend. The role of a university administrator isn’t just about negotiating with accrediting partners or providing feedback to department chairs — it’s about ensuring that the future of the world is in good hands.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at College Enrollment and Work Activity of Recent High School and College Graduates Summary (viewed online Dec. 2, 2022).

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Higher Education Administration Degree – Educational Leadership?

Maybe you’ve always wanted to work in an academic setting, or perhaps you already do. Either way, there are numerous job opportunities available in academia. Liberty’s educational leadership and higher education PhD online could be your ticket to a well-paying career in student services, academics, faculty research, or higher education administration.

We recognize that your personal responsibilities don’t stop when you enroll in a degree program, which is why our doctorate in higher education online is offered 100% online in mostly 8-week courses with no required intensives. That way, you won’t have to worry about traveling to campus for classes or spend time away from your job, family, or community.

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Higher Education – Educational Leadership Degree Online?

In our PhD in Higher Education Administration – Educational Leadership, you can learn about teaching the college student, college and university administration, historical perspectives of higher education, and the economic impact of higher education. You will also study the specifics of accreditation.

In the educational leadership specialization, you’ll study issues and trends in technology and learning as well as policy analysis. You’ll also be able to choose between two courses: organizational analysis and problem-solving for educators, or conflict resolution. Our educational leadership cognate is rounded out by an elective course, which allows you to study a topic you’re most passionate about.

Upon completion of your core courses, you’ll begin to venture into dissertation preparation. The research courses in our online doctor of higher education include advanced educational statistics, quantitative and qualitative methods of research, and a dissertation literature review. You will also study research concepts and methodology as part of your research courses.

And finally, the dissertation portion of your degree will consist of multiple courses. Through these courses, you will choose a topic, research your topic, and present your findings to our School of Education faculty.

Potential Career Opportunities

• College/university administrator
• Curriculum specialist
• Educational consultant
• Program coordinator
• Student affairs director

Featured Courses

• EDUC 758 – Teaching the College Student
• EDUC 759 – College and University Administration
• EDUC 782 – Historical Perspectives of Higher Education
• EDUC 784 – Assessment and Accreditation

Degree Information

• This program falls under the School of Education .
• View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required) .
• View the Doctoral Advising Guide .
• Most of our PhD courses are offered in an 8-week format; however, the dissertation courses are full-semester in length.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Liberty’s Online PhD in Higher Education Administration Online

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the career potential look like for this field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), postsecondary education administrators earned an average salary of $97,500 in 2020.** Demand for this career is expected to grow by 8% between 2020 and 2030, and the BLS projects that about 14,500 new postsecondary education administration positions will become available each year during the same time frame. If you’re interested in becoming a college administrator, our doctor of higher education is an excellent choice.

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Postsecondary Education Administrators (viewed online Sept. 29, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

What accreditation does Liberty University have?

Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC , the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

What title can I use once I have earned this degree?

Upon successful completion of this degree program, you will have earned the title of “Doctor” – a title that commands respect in academic and business communities alike.

Inner Navigation

• Why Choose Liberty?
• What Will You Study?
• Admission Information

Have questions?

Are you ready to change your future?

Apply FREE This Week*

Request Information

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

Request Information About a Program

Request info about liberty university online, what program are you interested in, choose a program level.

Choose a program level

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Certificate

Select a Field of Study

Select a field of study

Select a Program

Select a program

Next: Contact Info

Legal full name.

Enter legal full name

Legal Last Name

Enter legal last name

Enter an email address

Enter a phone number

Full Address

Enter an address

Apt., P.O. Box, or can’t find your address? Enter it manually instead .

Select a Country

Street Address

Enter Street Address

Enter State

ZIP/Postal Code

Enter Zip Code

Back to automated address search

Start my application now for FREE

Electrical Engineering PhD

The Electrical Engineering PhD program studies systems that sense, analyze, and interact with the world. You will learn how this practice is based on fundamental science and mathematics, creating opportunities for both theoretical and experimental research. Electrical engineers invent devices for sensing and actuation, designing physical substrates for computation, creating algorithms for analysis and control, and expanding the theory of information processing. You will get to choose from a wide range of research areas such as circuits and VLSI, computer engineering and architecture, robotics and control, and signal processing.

Electrical engineers at SEAS are pursuing work on integrated circuits for cellular biotechnology, millimeter-scale robots, and the optimization of smart power groups. Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include developing methods to trace methane emissions and improving models for hurricane predictions.

APPLY NOW >

PhD in Electrical Engineering Degree

Harvard School of Engineering offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  degree in Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Prospective students apply through the Harvard Griffin GSAS. In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select " PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering ​."

The Electrical Engineering program does not offer an independent Masters Degree.

Electrical Engineering PhD Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies such as Tesla, Microsoft HoloLens, and IBM. Others have positions in academia at the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and University of Colorado.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering​." Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,   program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline .

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop-down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Electrical Engineering Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our electrical engineering  faculty  and electrical engineering  affiliated research areas , Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.  

Electrical Engineering Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the research  centers & initiatives  at SEAS and the  electrical engineering faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

In Electrical Engineering

• Undergraduate Engineering at Harvard
• Concentration Requirements
• How to Declare
• Who are my Advisors?
• Sophomore Forum
• ABET Information
• Senior Thesis
• Research for Course Credit (ES 91R)
• AB/SM Information
• Peer Concentration Advisors (PCA) Program
• Student Organizations
• PhD Timeline
• PhD Model Program (Course Guidelines)
• Qualifying Exam
• Committee Meetings
• Committee on Higher Degrees
• Research Interest Comparison
• Collaborations
• Cross-Harvard Engagement
• Seminar Series
• Clubs & Organizations
• Centers & Initiatives
• Alumni Stories

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Student blogs and videos
• Why Cambridge
• Qualifications directory
• How to apply
• Fees and funding
• Frequently asked questions
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Visiting the University
• Term dates and calendars
• Video and audio
• Find an expert
• Publications
• International Cambridge
• Public engagement
• Giving to Cambridge
• For current students
• For business
• Colleges & departments
• Libraries & facilities
• Museums & collections
• Email & phone search
• /  Departments A-Z  /
• FoE / Study with Us / Postgraduate Study / Postgraduate Study: Masters Programme / Postgraduate Study: Masters Thematic Routes / Psychology and Education

The Faculty of Education

Departments A-Z

• Map & How To Reach Us
• Green Impact and Sustainability
• Visiting Scholars
• Visiting Students
• Courses still available 2020-21
• Undergraduate Study
• Postgraduate Study
• Practitioner Professional Development
• Counselling
• Student Engagement & Feedback
• REF 2021 (Raven required)
• About our research
• Research Areas
• Research Centres
• Research Groups and Centres
• Research Programmes
• Cambridge Journal of Education
• CRiCLE Network
• NRICH mathematics
• Cambridge School Classics Project
• CIAN Network
• Leadership for Learning
• SUPER Network
• Cambridge Primary Review Trust
• Academic Staff
• Emeritus Readers and Professors
• Doctoral Students
• Equality and Diversity
• Media enquiries
• Open Research Seminar calendar
• Conferences
• Recorded seminars and lectures
• Faculty Library - home
• Your Library Guides - Moodle site
• Library Blog - FYI
• Opening Hours
• COVID-19 guidance
• Remote working guide
• AV Support Service
• Booker - Book a room
• Google Apps@Cambridge
• External Bookings
•    educ   NET   

Psychology and Education

• Faculty of Education

Study with Us

• Postgraduate Study: Masters Programme
• Postgraduate Study: Masters Thematic Routes
• PGCE progression to MEd
• Full-time Study
• Part-time Study
• Doctoral Programme
• The Cambridge Experience

Overview of the course

Is this programme for me.

Are you interested in the psychological processes involved in learning and development? Would you like to explore your ideas through an innovative Masters programme that is informed by cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary research? Would you like to develop new knowledge and skills in critical analysis and learn more about the research processes used in psychological sciences as applied to education, learning and human development? Are you planning for further study through a PhD, or hoping to apply your knowledge and skills in an educational, NGO, or public policy context?

We offer a full-time one-year MPhil programme that will allow you to explore topics in psychology and education that are close to your heart.

Academic staff in the Psychology and Education group comprise an international team. We share expertise across a wide range of ages, subject areas and research methods in psychology and education and we invite you to read more about the research we are doing.

We are also very excited about our laboratory offering state-of-the-art research facilities for our staff and students to conduct observations and experiments.

Why choose us?

• Engage with the latest issues and debates in psychology and education on our unique course covering a wide range of ages and developmental stages from infancy to adulthood
• Become a valued member of active research teams in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge
• Complete an in-depth research dissertation under the supervision of experts in the field
• Join a research & teaching environment committed to promoting open science and scholarship
• Benefit from teaching by internationally renowned Faculty who are actively involved in cutting edge research and policy advice
• Closely engage with the work of the Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development and Learning and the Faculty's Psychology, Education, and Learning Sciences Research Group
• Join a select group of around 30 students per year
• Experience a teaching approach that promotes active, participatory, inclusive and research-orientated pedagogy
• Enjoy personalised support and mentoring through one to one supervision
• Connect with a friendly and vibrant community of students from across the world
• Benefit from access to research groups and networks across the University of Cambridge
• Develop skills for employability across a range of organisations

What does this course offer?

• Engage with contemporary issues in psychology and education in order to interrogate the latest theoretically-grounded and evidence-based literature
• Critically investigate dominant paradigms in psychology and education, and engage with topical issues of relevance to educational policy and practice
• Develop research and career paths within the wider research culture of both the Faculty and the broader university

How is the course organised?

You will have 64 hours of course sessions in Psychology and Education.

These sessions will be:

• workshop-style discussions (12 hours)
• journal clubs (8+ hours)
• seminars & presentations (8+ hours)
• traditional lecture formats (44 hours) 

The course content draws on the expertise of the team to include topics related to key issues and questions in the psychology of education, namely:

• Thinking & Reasoning Skills for Learning
• Psychology of Play
• The Social Learner
• Educational, Family and Community Interventions
• Advanced Topics in Data & Analysis (with a focus on open, reproducible & transparent methods)
• Ethical Principles and Practices
• Anti-racism and Decolonisation
• Open Science & Reproducibility
• Preparing Data & Materials for Open Access
• Careers in Psychology & Education
• Writing for Publication

Research Method Strand

Alongside these modules, you will benefit from 32 hours of Research Methods teaching.

This is taught across all thematic Masters within the Faculty of Education, allowing you to interact with others on different courses.

It covers a broad range of social science research methods and is essential for Masters level understanding and critical engagement with the research literature in many specialist areas and in education more generally.

Through this strand you will acquire the skills necessary for designing, conducting, analysing, interpreting and reporting a research study for your Dissertation.

Detailed Research Methods information . 

Who are the course team?

Dr. Jillian Lauer (coordinator) is happy to be contacted with questions specific to the course, which are not answered in our FAQs page.

Administrative queries should be addressed to the HD office . Other team members are:

• Prof Sara Baker
• Prof Jenny Gibson
• Prof Michelle Ellefson
• Asst Prof Jillian Lauer
• Dr Laura Oxley 
• Prof Paul Ramchandani

Please note that not all team members are always available as supervisors each term, and this list is subject to change.

Supervisor allocations are made by the course co-ordinator after your matriculation into the MPhil programme. Potential students do not need to contact particular supervisors before applying to the programme but are encouraged to list potential supervisors with whom they would like to work in their applications.

Where do our students go?

Our graduates are the future leaders in their field. They have a wide choice of career options, including:

• further PhD study
• doctoral training in educational or developmental psychology
• work in schools
• charities and government departments
• think tanks and universities

Centres & Networks

Connect with us, our address.

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• University A-Z
• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Terms and conditions
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Spotlight on...
• About research at Cambridge