Education, social work, and community education research degrees
An overview of our postgraduate research in education, social work, and community education and entry requirements for PhDs and other research degrees.
Great emphasis is given to research in school, particularly applied interdisciplinary research and development which influences and supports policy and practice.
We are particularly well placed in Scotland to further the agenda of promoting social inclusion, raising achievement and enhancing quality of life across the lifespan, in an era when "joined up" working and integrated services are widely seen as essential.
Collaborative teams link with wider collaborations across the University (for example with Nursing, Medicine, Computing, and Psychology), with other Universities nationally and internationally, and with relevant agencies (such as central and local government, NGOs, voluntary organizations, professional associations, commercial sponsors, and other bodies). Links to the University of Dundee Graduate School, to the collaborative Social Dimensions of Health Institute, and to Research Councils and other funding bodies are also important.
Our Research centres are tightly focused and have a track record of international significance:
- Transformative Change: Education and Life Transitions (TCELT)
- Centre for Peer Learning
Masters degrees in research are usually completed in 1-2 years of full-time work or 2-4 years on a part time basis (MPhil and MSc). PhD degrees and Professional Doctorates usually take three years of full-time work or up to four years part-time.
More information on our Professional Doctorates can be found on the webpages below:
Entry requirements
You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.
English language requirements
IELTS (overall) | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
We also accept other English language qualifications
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of certain countries.
Don't meet the English language requirements?
English language programmes
Prepare for university study and benefit from extra English tuition with an English language programme.
Education, social work, and community education PhD tuition fees
Academic year of entry | Scottish/Rest of UK fee status | International fee status |
---|---|---|
2023/24 | £4,712 per year of study |
£20,895 per year of study |
2024/25 | £4,786 per year of study |
£21,940 per year of study |
Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 3% annual increase for Scottish/Rest of UK students and a 5% annual increase for International students).
Part time study, where available, is charged on a pro-rata basis.
Scottish/Rest of UK fee status annual increase
Each year, UKRI sets a recommended fee and stipend level for Scottish/Rest of UK students, which we use as the basis for fees charged to this group.
UKRI usually increases its fee and stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator.
Therefore, the Scottish/Rest of UK fees detailed in this table for 2025/26 (and beyond) can only be estimated according to the typical increase.
The fee charged to you may differ, though only slightly, from the figure given.
Apply for a research degree
You can apply for a PhD or other postgraduate research degree using our Direct Application System.
We have three start dates per academic year.
PhD Education
3 years full time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
PhD Education (part time)
5 years part time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
MSc by Research Education
1 year full time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
PhD Community Education
3 years full time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
PhD Community Education (part time)
5 years part time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
PhD Social Work
3 years full time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
PhD Social Work (part time)
5 years part time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
MSc by Research Social Work
1 year full time
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
Education, Social Work and Community Education (non-graduating) (research)
- Apply to start in May 2024
- Apply to start in September 2024
- Apply to start in January 2025
- Apply to start in May 2025
The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.
Enquiries
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