Research Degrees

Postgraduate Programmes

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UCL Medical School News

UCLMS Medical Education Conference - Transitions in Medical Education

May 07, 2013 09:15AM

Booking has now opened for our third Medical Education Conference on the 12th June 2013!

UCLMS Seminar: 'Practicing professionalism in an age of digital social networking': exploring the digital divide

Mar 22, 2013 12:18PM

Dr Scott Rice – Practicing professionalism in an age of digital social networking: exploring the digital divide

UCL Medical School Hubs

Mar 22, 2013 12:17PM

We’re very pleased to announce that the first stage of a major estates upgrade for UCL Medical School is now underway. The upgrade is designed to develop Student HUBS and enhanced teaching space at each of our 3 main campuses. Plans and progress will be published on the UCLMS website as the projects develop at each site.

NHS Change Day: do something better together

Feb 15, 2013 16:54PM

NHS Change Day will take place on 13.03.13. It will be one day during which the collective energy, creativity and ideas of thousands of NHS staff, and those who support the NHS, in all areas of work and right across the country, will demonstrate how one simple action or new idea can make a difference and improve care for patients, their families and their carers. The team behind NHS Change Day are asking people to make pledges of an action or idea. You can see our pledge on the NHS Change Day pledge wall .

Speak Up! The 2013 National Student Survey seeks your views

Feb 12, 2013 10:26AM

Speak up!

Research Degrees in Medical Education

Choice of Doctoral Programme

You have three choices a PhD, an EdD and an MD.

The PhD involves a singular piece of research driven by your own academic interests, if done part-time it takes around five years and involves a 100,000 word thesis.
The EdD is a professional doctorate, so you will investigate your own working practices; it typically has a taught element and has assessments along the way. Like the PhD it takes five years part time and the final thesis of 100,000 is made up of a portfolio of research.
The MD is a specific route for medics; it typically involves a singular study over two years full-time and a thesis of 50-60,000 words. It’s worth getting an institutional perspective on which research degree your organisation values.

For a more detailed account see Gill, D. Griffin, A. Woolf, K. Cave, J. (2009) 12 Tips for Studying Medical Education at Doctoral Level, Medical Teacher vol.31,no.7, 601-604 which includes a range of other issues to consider when deciding to embark on this type of research degree.

Research degrees at UCL Medical School

UCLMS offers PhD supervision which covers a wide range of education interests. Research themes are:

Peer assisted learning
Fitness to practise of doctors
Assessment
Communication skills.
Professional identity
Transitions
Work-based learning
E-learning
Interprofessional education
Equality and diversity in medical education
Selection

In order to apply you should have a primary medical qualification and Master’s level study, preferably in the field of education or medical education.

Guidance on the application process

The application process involves a short written proposal of about 2000 words addressing the following aspects:

The research problem and your research questions
Background including a brief literature review
Theoretical and methodological perspectives
Methods to include: sample, recruitment, data gathering, data analysis
The contribution this study will make to new knowledge
Timetable and bibliography

This should be sent to Ann Griffin (a.griffin@ucl.ac.uk).

On receipt of your proposal we will match you with an appropriate supervisor and arrange an interview with you.

If you are successful at this stage we will ask you will be asked to formally apply via UCL admissions process and provide two references.

For overseas applicants we will make arrangements for interview by Skype or another alternative.