Programme
Individual Route
This route allows students to carry out a substantial piece of supervised research on a topic of their choice leading to the submission of a thesis of 30,000 words in length.
Students who apply for this route will be expected to submit a preliminary research proposal of about 1,000 words. Students accepted for this route would, normally, be expected to have previous experience of carrying out a substantial piece of project work, or its equivalent, and to be familiar with appropriate research methods as well as having specialist knowledge in the area of their research project. For the main areas in which supervision can be offered see information provided on our Research Development pages and on our Academic groups pages. Students would be expected to come to Cambridge for three supervisions a term.
Thematic route
Students on this route follow one of the following distinct thematic routes:
- Educational Research
- Arts Culture and Education
- Educational Leadership and School Improvement
- International Perspectives on Mathematics Education
- Perspectives on Inclusive and Special Education
- Primary Education
- Psychology and Education
- Research in Second Language Education
- Researching Practice 5-18 (Primary and Secondary Schools)
- Science Teacher Researchers and Practitioners
- The Theory and Application of Counselling
Courses are supported through seminars, workshops, supervisions and, where appropriate, fieldwork. Students must complete three assignments, two essays of 6,000 words each relating to the course they have chosen; and a thesis of not more than 20,000 words in length, for which they will receive individual supervision. Individual themes may also have supplementary requirements.
Research Methods Course
Students on the thematic routes (except Educational Research, Science Teacher Researchers and Practitioners and Researching Practice) will be required to attend a Research Methods Course. The course consists of 40 hours of teaching time and takes place on two afternoons per term in terms one to five of the programme. The course offers students support in the principles and procedures of educational enquiry, and in the conduct and writing of their thesis.
The initial aim is to develop understanding of different research strategies - the kinds of assumptions that they depend on, the kinds of reasoning that they involve, the kinds of purposes that they are fit for, and practical and ethical issues concerning use of their associated methods. There is also an emphasis on fostering skills in critically appraising and synthesising published research studies. The course additionally aims to develop the understanding and skills needed to design, conduct, analyse, interpret and report a small-scale research study for thesis presentation. There is one formative assignment (800 words) requiring an outline of the thesis research design.
Co-ordinator of the Research Methods Course: Linda Hargreaves