Graduate research

Our research has two main aims: to address fundamental questions that have a bearing on all members of society, and to raise the standard of educational research.

IOE provides the best possible environment for your studies, with four times as many world-leading scholars in education and related social sciences as any other UK university, and with access to more than 300 academic staff engaged in research across education, culture, psychology, and social science. 

Find your course

Professional Doctorates

For those with a suitable psychology background wishing to become an educational psychologist:

• Professional Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology DEdPsy

Since 1997, our EdD (Doctor of Education) has provided a route into practice-based research for professionals working in education to engage in part-time doctoral research while working in a professional context. EdD students follow taught courses with a cohort of fellow-practitioners prior to undertaking extended research in practice contexts.

• Culture, Communication and Media EdD
• Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment EdD
• Education, Practice and Society EdD
• Learning and Leadership EdD
• Psychology and Human Development EdD
• Social Science EdD

MPhil/PhD

We offer routes into research that can be taken full-time or part-time, and face-to-face or by distance learning. There are two forms of MPhil/PhD:

1) For those who already have a master’s degree with appropriate research training

Face-to-face

• Culture, Communication and Media MPhil/PhD
• Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment MPhil/PhD
• Education, Practice and Society MPhil/PhD
• Learning and Leadership MPhil/PhD
• Psychology and Human Development MPhil/PhD
• Social Science MPhil/PhD

Online

• Education MPhil/PhD

2) For those with a bachelor’s degree or a need to have suitable research training

• Culture, Communication and Media with integrated research methods training MPhil/PhD
• Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment with integrated research methods training MPhil/PhD
• Education, Practice and Society with integrated research methods training MPhil/PhD
• Learning and Leadership with integrated research methods training MPhil/PhD
• Psychology and Human Development with integrated research methods training MPhil/PhD
• Social Research Institute (with integrated research methods training) MPhil/PhD

 Is a PhD right for me?

This three-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the FutureLearn platform provides general advice for those curious about whether doctoral study is the right path for them. The MOOC was developed by current PhD students and staff and is completely free. See the video trailer or enrol on the course.

Want to develop your skills first?

If you would like to develop your social science research skills prior to undertaking doctoral study, or simply want to secure a qualification in social science research without completing a doctorate, you may be interested in:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods (PG Dip)
• Masters in Social Research (MRes)

These programmes provide initial routes into research. Both the MRes and the PG Dip are standalone qualifications in research and also provide routes to further postgraduate research study on the MPhil/PhD or the EdD.