This route, which is also the Faculty of Education's doctoral training programme, provides a broad-based training in educational research that aims to help students:

• To become familiar with an appropriate range of intellectual and methodological traditions within the field;
• To become skilled and critical readers of educational research;
• To develop knowledge in depth of some substantive area of education and educational research;
• To develop their capacity to frame research questions and devise appropriate research designs;
• To develop confidence in using a range of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence;
• To develop their skills in presenting research-based evidence and argument;
• To gain practical experience of educational research through conducting a small-scale investigation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• a comprehensive understanding of research techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to their specific educational domain;
• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• demonstrated self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Continuing

Students wishing to continue from the Master of Education to PhD or EdD are required to achieve a mark of 70 or higher for the thesis.

Students attend taught sessions once a week.  The course consists of two levels. Introductory Level sessions will offer a general introduction to different aspects of educational research. Intermediate Level sessions are divided into two types: (1) the compulsory core sessions offer further elements focused on the foundations of educational research theory and practice; (2) the elective sessions offer intermediate level topics built on the foundation sessions taught at Introductory Level. Students are required to take all Introductory and Intermediate main programme sessions and should select 44 hours of the elective elements of the programme. The elective sessions are intended to facilitate students' depth of understanding and application of approaches appropriate to their proposed lines of enquiry. The course has been designed to allow students intending to undertake a particular mode of enquiry to focus more attention on their preferred methods within a framework that still ensures a broad and balanced coverage.

Feedback

Throughout the programme, written work is submitted and detailed feedback is provided.  Students submit two essays and a thesis. Informally, feedback is also provided through regular supervisions.  At the end of each term, supervisors write an on-line report which can be viewed by the student via the Cambridge Graduate Supervision Reporting System.

Assessment

Thesis

The thesis is up to 20,000 words in length and submitted at the end of August in the second year.

Where a candidate receives a provisional fail mark, an oral examination is required.

Essays

Students are required to submit two essays of 6,000-6,500 words each in their first year (one submitted in February and one at the end of August).

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Personal Reference. This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Extra Materials

Please note: If you are applying for the 1-year full time MPhil or the 2-year part time MEd, please complete the task below.  This route is not open to PGCE-MEd applicants.

Applicants for the MPhil/MEd in Educational Research are required to submit a statement of around 1,500 words (exclusive of bibliography), addressing the following issues:

1. The topic that you propose to research

This should consist of a clear outline of the research question or questions and an analytical justification of the choice of topic on academic and educational grounds.

2. The contribution that your work will make to the field

This section should show evidence of some prior knowledge of the literature in the chosen field, and should relate the proposed research questions and objectives to a critical appraisal of gaps or issues raised in existing research.

3. The grounding provided by their previous study and experience

Applicants should comment on previous experience, e.g. Master’s study and/or professional work, and show how this experience has informed their interest in the proposed field of study.

The proposal should identify possible methods for completion and refer to methods literature where appropriate.

It is likely that in most cases the research questions and methodology will be refined and adapted during the course of the year in consultation with the supervisor. Nevertheless, the quality of this initial presentation is a very important factor in deciding whether to offer a place to an applicant.

Please upload this with your other application documents. Applications cannot be considered unless the written work has been received.

• Global Education
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships