Doctorate (PhD) in Education

Doctorate (PhD) in Education

Duration Full-time: minimum 48 months, maximum 72 months.
Part-time: minimum 60 months, maximum 96 months.
Qualification Awarded Doctorate (PhD) in Education
Level of Qualification PhD (Doctoral Degree)
Language of Instruction Greek/English
Mode of Study Conventional (Physical Presence)
Full-time/Part-time
Minimum ECTS Credits 240

Program’s purpose/objectives:

Education is one of the most respected professions across the world Irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity or country. The way we see and revere teachers have not changed much over the years, as they are still considered valuable members of the society.

The Ph.D in Education at our university represents the highest degree a student can earn in the field of Education. It is a graduate degree that is well-suited for anyone who wants to focus his/her career on academics or research.

The Ph.D in Education at Philips University is a research-oriented training program that trains doctoral students to conduct research at the highest level, and to take responsibility for research, development and teaching tasks in the private and public sectors, for which deep knowledge of research is required. The doctoral thesis is an original research paper, which must include merits, research conclusions and to contain data that contributes to advanced science. The Ph.D is the highest academic distinction, so it must be of a level and quality that ensures the recognition of its holder by the university and the scientific community in general, not only nationally as well as internationally.

As referred to in the European Qualifications Framework, in order for students to be awarded the Doctoral level degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), they are expected to meet the Level 8 (Doctoral) descriptors for such award as stated below.

European Qualifications Framework

• Knowledge:
Must possess knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of work or study and at the interface between fields

• Skills:
Must master the most advanced and specialised skills and techniques, including synthesis and evaluation, required to solve critical problems in research and/or innovation and to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice

• Competences:
Must demonstrate substantial authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of work or study contexts including research.

The PhD. degree is awarded to a doctoral student who meets the Level 8 descriptors set out above of these regulations, which may be summarised as having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic, demonstrated an understanding of research methods as applied to a chosen field, and has presented and defended a written thesis/dissertation which has resulted in an independent and original contribution to knowledge by oral examination (viva voce) to the satisfaction of approved examiners.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the PhD in Education, doctoral students are expected to:
• pursue original research in the discipline of Education through which they address gaps in the literature
• critically apply theories, concepts, methodologies and knowledge for addressing fundamental questions in the discipline of Education
• critically evaluate theories, concepts, methods and tools of various approaches applied to address the research questions
• produce ethical research through identifying relevant ethical and professional issues, by following the principles of ethics in the field of Education and academia
• be able to communicate complex and advanced concepts and findings to different audiences
• be able to challenge established knowledge and practice in the discipline of Education.
• produce and defend a written doctoral thesis which results in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

Admission requirements

Applicants to the PhD Programme must have a Master’s degree, or its equivalent, in an area related to Education and should be approved by the Council of the School as the basis for admission to the program.

Applicants must have a strong academic record and have a weighted average grade in the Master’s (or equivalent education) of B or higher, in accordance with the University’s grading system plus evidence that the applicant is competent in written and spoken English.

Applicants will be assessed based on their academic record, other relevant qualifications and their statement of research interests and research proposal.

Structure of the Ph.D Program

The program comprises four (4) stages:
• completion of three courses (30 ECTS) and a comprehensive qualifying examination (10 ECTS)
• preparation and submission of a thesis/dissertation proposal (End of First Year Progress Review Meeting) (10 ECTS)
• research stages and writing-up stage (140 ECTS)
• final writing-up and thesis/dissertation defence/VIVA (50 ECTS)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

Semester 1

  • EDU-711 Epistemology and Theoretical Paradigms in Education (10 ECTS)
  • EDU-715 Research Methodology in Education (10 ECTS)

Interim Report:
Submit a report of 2,000 words to your First Supervisor by the end of your sixth month

Semester 2

  • EDC-713 Advanced Educational Theories (10 ECTS)
  • Comprehensive Qualifying Exam (10 ECTS)

End of First Year Progress Review Meeting/ Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Report:
Submit a thesis/dissertation proposal of at least 10,000 words along with a timetable for completing the PhD to the First Year Evaluation Committee.  Have a Progress Review Meeting (oral examination) with the First Year Evaluation Committee. Successful completion of this process marks progression to the next phase of the PhD program (10 ECTS).

Year 2

Semester 3

  • Research Stage I

Semester 4

  • Research Stage II

End of Year Progress Review

Submit an end of year 2000-word report along with a 10000-word draft thesis/dissertation material to your First Supervisor by the end of the semester. Attend an End of Year Progress Review meeting with supervisory team.

Year 3

Semester 5

  • End of Year Progress Review

Submit an end of year 2000-word report along with a 10000-word draft thesis/dissertation material to your First Supervisor by the end of the semester. Attend an End of Year Progress Review meeting with supervisory team. 

  • Writing-up of PhD

Semester 6

  • Final Writing-up
  • Submit Ph.D

Department Contact Info

4-6 Lamias Street, 2001 Nicosia – Cyprus
P.O.Box 28008, 2090 Strovolos,
Nicosia – Cyprus

+357 2244 1860

Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Social Info