Doctoral studies in the School of Education and Social Work

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1 University of Sussex Doctoral studies in the School of Education and Social Work

2 Is this programme right for me? Does the idea of undertaking research in your area of expertise interest and inspire you? Are you a professional working in an education, social work or social care setting looking for your next career step via an academic qualification? Would you like to explore ways in which your professional work and contribution to your professional environment could be developed and improved? Are you interested in meeting, studying and learning with other professionals, from different sectors and countries, in your area of interest? If so, undertaking a doctoral research programme at the University of Sussex could be for you. Doctoral programmes The School of Education and Social Work offers diverse full-time, part-time and distance-learning pathways for doctoral research study via the following programmes: PhD in Education (+3 or 1+3 routes) PhD in Social Work and Social Care (+3 or 1+3 routes) Doctor of Education (EdD): Home and International Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Doctor of Education (EdD): Home and International Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Our UK-based EdD and DSW are part-time programmes designed to complement your professional activities, enabling you to work and study at the same time - usually over a fiveyear period. You will develop research and inquiry skills, and acquire an understanding of the nature and conduct of research and evaluation in professional settings. The programmes offer structured progression and include a formal, taught component for the first two years during which participants of the EdD and DSW study together. The programme will be of interest to experienced professionals and university lecturers. The International EdD is a distance-learning programme enabling those living and working overseas to remain working in their home countries. Study is undertaken part-time through intensive three to four week annual Summer Schools held each year on the University of Sussex campus.

3 EdD and DSW awards are at a level equivalent to a PhD. For more details about these programmes, visit Programme of study Phase 1 Research and the professional: 1 x 8,000-word essay plus 1 x 10,000-word report Phase 2 Developing critical perspectives: 1 x 18,000-word review Phase 3 Research component: 1 x 35-50,000-word thesis Completing Phases 1 and 2 normally takes two years. Phase 3 normally takes three years for home students studying part-time. For international students studying full-time, the thesis usually takes one to two years to prepare, depending on professional commitments.

4 PhD in Education PhD in Social Work and Social Care A Sussex PhD programme provides you with the support and resources necessary to complete a substantial piece of research, usually with a significant empirical component. PhD programmes can be undertaken on a full or part-time basis via two routes: 1+3 route If studied full-time, you will study for one year on the MSc in Social Research Methods programme, followed by three years on the PhD programme. MSc in Social Research Methods If you wish to gain a thorough grounding in research methodology as a prelude to conducting independent research, the MSc in Social Research Methods programme can provide you with individually tailored training and support specific to your area of research interest. It can be taken full-time over one year or part-time over two years and constitutes Year 1 of the 1+3 route to the PhD award. Progression from the MSc to the PhD is dependent on a grade of at least B+ in your MSc dissertation. For more information about the MSc in Social Research Methods, visit route You enter directly onto the PhD programme; a three year programme if undertaken full-timephd programmes within the School of Education and Social Work provide you with the support and resources necessary to complete an original and substantial piece of research. Research students come from a wide variety of countries, professional settings and backgrounds. In Education they include practising educators in schools, colleges and universities, NGO workers, middle and senior managers, administrators and policy-makers. Research interests are often interdisciplinary and can intersect, for example with gender studies, international development, international relations or sociology. For more information about the PhD in Education, visit Participants in the PhD in Social Work and Social Care programme include experienced professionals in social work, social care and health, working in the public, voluntary and community sectors. The programme is also of interest to higher and further education lecturers, and recent grtaduates with high quality undergraduate or Masters degrees in relevant social science disciplines. For more information about the PhD in Social Work and Social Care, visit

5 Programme of study The University of Sussex hosts a Doctoral Training Centre approved by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). PhD programmes in Education and Social Work & Social Care have full ESRC recognition. The programme of study follows the 1+3 model established and endorsed by the ESRC. You will be allocated two supervisors who together bring established expertise, both substantive and methodological, to the issues you are researching. After an assessment of your research training needs, you may be asked to participate in selected courses from the MSc in Social Research Methods. The research proposal you will develop in the first year of the PhD will be reviewed academicaly prior to your begining fieldwork. Your research will be written up as a thesis (80,000 words).

6 Facilities and support Participants in the International EdD are registered as independent distant students of the University and have remote access to the programme s interactive website, electronic journals and databases. As a doctoral student at Sussex, you are supported by the University s Doctoral School, which is dedicated to improving the academic and social experience for researchers. The Doctoral School aims to ensure that when you finish your research degree you are fully prepared to secure your optimal career path and that you capitalise on the distinctive skills and knowledge that you will gain. All doctoral students are encouraged to participate fully in School research seminars, conferences and other researchrelated events organised by the School s research centres and research themes. The newly re-developed University Library offers access to a range of resources. Alongside a large number of titles housed on campus, the Library offers online access to a vast collection of electronic resources. There are also a number of specialist research libraries on campus. The University s computing service provides initial and advanced training courses, general helpdesk support, and a wireless network that allows you work from a wide variety of locations on campus. Doctoral students at Sussex have access to fully-equipped shared research rooms, including The Hive doctoral centre in the library. The Sussex Centre for Language Studies provides English language support including preparation courses and language and study skills workshops. Distant students can participate in seminars undertaken on campus via live web links, and/or watch them in retrospect via links on the University of Sussex s website.

7 Admission requirements For the PhD 1+3 route: A first or upper-second class undergraduate honours degree in a relevant social science subject, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant subject that does not include research training For the PhD +3 route: A good Masters degree (normally with dissertation grade B+ or equivalent), either in Social Research Methods or in a relevant discipline including significant research methods training. For the EdD and DSW: at least a second-class undergraduate honours degree and a good Masters degree. For the EdD and DSW: and desirable for the PhD in Education - at least three years experience in a relevant professional area For all doctoral research programmes: a good standard of written English For all doctoral research programmes: for students for whom English is not their first language IELTS 7.0 with not less than 6.5 in each section. Internet TOEFL with 100 overall, with at least 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading and 27 in both Speaking and Writing. Exceptionally, those with equivalent alternative academic qualifications and relevant professional experience may be admitted. Contact Student Recruitment Services (pg.enquiries@ sussex.ac.uk) to discuss your particular circumstances. Research in the School of Education and Social Work Both the Departments of Education and Social Work and Social Care in the School of Education and Social Work,have excellent reputations for research, and enjoy national and international recognition for research and publications that shape professional knowledge, policy and practice. Within the Department of Education, areas of research expertise are focused within three research centres: the Centre for Higher Education and Equity Research (CHEER) the Centre for Inquiry and Research in Cognition, Learning and Teaching (CIRCLETS) the Centre for International Education (CIE). Research in the Department of Social Work and Social Care is organised around three broad themes: innovation and change in policy and practice with children, adults and older people the pedagogy of professional education knowledge, evidence and judgement in a professional and multiprofessional context.

8 Location The University of Sussex is situated on a modern campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park near the lively seaside city of Brighton. London is one hour away by train and there is easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Administrative enquiries E eswenquiries@sussex.ac.uk Address your for the attention of the Research & Enterprise Coordinator Admissions information Student Recruitment Services Sussex House University of Sussex Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH T +44 (0) F +44 (0) E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk For general information about the University visit