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 usually take three years of full-time work or up to four years part-time.
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 |
| 7.0 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | £5,006 per year of study |
£21,940 per year of study |
| Academic year of entry | Scottish/Rest of UK fee status | International fee status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £5,238 per year of study |
£22,660 per year of study |
Tuition fee per year of study (subject to a 5% annual increase for Scottish, Rest of UK, and International students).
The tuition fee, and mode of attendance shown within the application system is provisional and confirmed when you are made an offer.
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 2026/27 (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.
Types of PhDs
3-year PhD
You may be offered a 3-year PhD if:
- you have an existing MSc that included extensive research skills training
- a well-developed research proposal
We may also take into account if you have any professional experience that you may have. Particularly if this includes significant research expertise.
3.5-year PhD
You may be offered a 3.5-year PhD with Research Training course if:
- you have an existing MSc that included some research skills elements
- you are transferring from another disciplinary area with different research skills
- you are undertaking an interdisciplinary PhD with different skills needed
- you need to further develop your proposal
These means that you need additional skills to undertake your PhD.
4-year PhD
You may be offered a 4-year PhD with Research Training course if:
- you have an existing MSc that did not include research skills
- you are moving from one discipline to another in social sciences. The other discipline may have had completely different research skill needs
- you do not have a well-developed research proposal
An assessment of your application by School staff will determine which of the three pathways you may be offered.
Apply for a research degree
Thank you for your interest in our research courses
PhD applications for Education, Social Work, and Community Education are currently closed.
Disabled students
The University of Dundee welcomes applications from disabled students.