Overview
At Newcastle University, we offer expert supervision for an MPhil or PhD in Education in the following research areas:
- early year’s policy with a focus on language and communication
- social justice in education
- pedagogic innovation
- professional learning in practice
- international development and global education
- outdoor learning
- early literacy
- technology-enhanced learning, including language learning
- project-based learning and community curriculum making
- learning to teach languages
- transforming racism in schools
- the physical learning environment
- teaching and learning in Higher Education
Our supervisors’ current research interests, projects and publications are available from the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences’ staff profiles. Most of our staff have professional experience in teaching, speech and language therapy or English language teaching before entering academia.
Our links with research centres and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary seminars and interest groups. Our most important connections are with:
- Newcastle Institute for Social Science
- Centre for Learning and Teaching, CfLaT
You can also develop connections with any of the diverse faculty research institutes, centres and groups, as appropriate to your research interests.
You should contact Carolyn Letts, Director of Postgraduate Research, or a member of our staff as a potential supervisor before applying. You will need to submit a short research proposal (1000 words max). Please email: pgrecls@ncl.ac.uk.
There is an annual competition for funded studentships through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership. You should contact us to discuss supervision opportunities before applying for a studentship.
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MPhil, PhD
MPhil – Master of Philosophy
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Delivery and teaching methods
During your studies, you’ll have regular meetings with your supervisory team. This is supported by email and Skype.
Your attendance on campus is flexible to accommodate your fieldwork or data collection.
Part-time study is available for those who want to study whilst working in the UK.
Assessment methods
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Additional assessment information
We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.
Support
You’ll study in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences. This is a diverse School with a high number of international students.
Many of our students already have well-developed professional careers. They use their professional experience to frame their research questions, connecting theory and practice.
Our cross-disciplinary seminars include education, speech and language sciences and applied linguistics. In attending seminars you will engage with staff and students from around the world.
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme
Doctoral training and partnerships
There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within a:
- Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
- Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits:
- they combine research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics.
- you’ll study alongside a cohort of other PhD students
- they’re often interdisciplinary
- your PhD may be funded
If there are currently opportunities available in your subject area you’ll find them when you search for funding in the fees and funding section on this course.
The following centres/partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area in the future:
- ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 150 for Education – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
You’ll have access to two postgraduate research student study rooms. The largest study toom has recently been upgraded with additional workstations and soft seating area.
We have two on-site clinics:
- the Tavistock North East Aphasia Centre
- the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Clinic
We also have a well-equipped resource centre.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree and a master’s degree, or international equivalents, in a relevant subject.
