Program Overview

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Early Years PhD/PhD by Published works

Key Facts

• Level: PostgraduatePG PhD
• Duration: PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years
  PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years
• Starting: October, March
• UK Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• International Fees 25/26 >: See Fees and Funding
• Location >: Waterside

Overview

​Through academic study and research, the PhD/PhD by Published Works in Early Years programme aims to improve specific knowledge. The programme seeks to give students a firm foundation in research technique and equip them to conduct a sizable piece of academic research with success. The highest degree a UK institution may provide to a researcher who successfully defends their final thesis will also give them a great chance to advance into higher management and research jobs in education and related sectors. Both full-time and part-time study options are offered for the PhD/PhD by Published Works in Early Years. We invite applications from graduates with a Masters in any field who have experience working in formal, informal, or non-formal education. Find out more about the Centre for Education and Research.

Our closing dates for Research applications are as follows: For the October intake apply by the 1 August and for the March intake apply by the 11 December

Highlights

• ​​Achieve a firm foundation in research technique
• ​Study a sizable piece of academic research
• ​Membership to the Centre for Education and Research and to its Special Interest Groups​

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are expected to have a Masters degree (MA, MSc, or MEd) in a relevant discipline or internationally recognised equivalent qualifications will also be considered.
• Although, candidates with other evidence of ability to succeed at PhD level will also be considered, for example, candidates with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience. These applicants will be considered in an individual basis.

• Other Entry Requirements

As part of the application process, suitable applicants will be invited for interview (face-to-face or virtual).

All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

• ​successful interview outcome.
• availability of suitable Research Supervision Support.

​If you are applying for Research study, you will need to write a research proposal. Find out how to write a research proposal.

More detailed information about the research degrees is available on our Graduate school page.​

​If you’d like to join us as a research student, then please review the webpages below:

• ​browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.
• ​Find out how to apply for a MPhil/ PhD/ PhD by Published Works at the University of Northampton**.​

English Language Requirements

• ​IELTS (Academic): 7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component including writing. We will also consider equivalent English language qualifications.

We are unable to consider applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components from a test taken within the last two years

Course Content

• Course Details

With the Early Years PhD programme, you may hone your research abilities and competences while also developing your area of expertise. You will get general, discipline-based, and project-specific training as you create, design, and carry out your research project, along with the assistance of a committed supervisory team, empowering you to carry out your research work successfully and independently. Our PhD research students have recently come from the UK as well as many other countries. Some of our international students have opted to carry out research that entails gathering fieldwork data in their home country. Study proposals that entail gathering fieldwork data abroad are invited. You will gain from the Research community as a member of the Centre for Education and Research as well.

After successful completion of your studies, you can advance into an academic career or obtain research and development positions within education and related disciplines if you have a PhD in education with a focus on early years.

• FAQs

What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?

A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
  • UK – Full Time: £5,700
  • UK – Part Time: £2,845
  • International – Full Time: £16,350
  • International – Part Time: £7,640
• Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.

• UK – Part Time: £3,600
• International – Part Time: £7,840

Please visit the funding page for more details on how to fund your study.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

• 2024/25 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
  • UK – Full Time: £5,500
  • UK – Part Time: £2,775
  • International – Full Time: £15,950
  • International – Part Time: £7,450
• Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works.

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.

• UK – Part Time: £3,500
• International – Part Time: £7,650

Please visit the funding page for more details on how to fund your study.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Staff

• Associate Professor in Education
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Cristina Devecchi

• Associate Professor in Education
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Cristina Devecchi

• Associate Professor in Education
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Cristina Devecchi

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