About the course

The Brunel Integrated PhD combines PhD research with a programme of structured research, professional and subject training. The programme typically takes 4 years (compared to 3 years for a non-integrated PhD programme). On successful completion, you will be awarded a PhD with an Integrated Postgraduate Diploma in Research in your chosen subject specialisation.

You will benefit from this programme immensely if you want to:  

• receive a more much guided and hands-on supervision of your learning and research process, especially if you come from more traditional teaching cultures
• increase your changes for a timely completion of your PhD programme in comparison to students taking traditional route PhD, cutting down the expenses associated with prolonged study
• access to tailored, highly specialist research training not available as part of the support provided to traditional route PhD students
• maximise your changes for a successful research analysis by applying practical assignments and training which are part of the integrated PhD directly to the research you do for your thesis    
• receive an official Postgraduate Diploma in Research in addition to your PhD award to certify the completion of skills training which may be required by employers in some countries if you wish to pursue an academic career

Research profile

The Education department strives to be the most innovative in London. Based on the oldest teacher training colleges in the British Commonwealth – each with a radical history - we offer research-led programmes for teachers, youth and community workers, other education professionals and those with an interest in the academic study of Education and schooling. Our research is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy, the Higher Education Academy and many other organisations and charities. We are committed to working locally and globally and the impact of our research reflects that aspiration. In the 2014 REF 60% of the Education Department's research was world leading or internationally excellent and 90% of our impact was graded as internationally excellent. Staff specialisms include: Pedagogy and Professional Education; STEM Education; Social Justice, Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education.