How is the 新万博体育下载_万博体育app【投注官网】 PhD in Higher Education Studies programme structured?

Our 15 years of experience of offering this PhD has taught us that having an intentional structure, a supportive culture, and clear roles and expectations greatly enhances both the doctoral candidate’s experience and the quality of their study.

The literature on doctoral education repeatedly indicates that the one-on-one and co-supervision models, when offered without any other forms of community, collaboration, and support, can lead to all manner of problems. We have therefore developed a structured approach that ensures that you are part of a cohort with clear guidance as to what is expected while having the autonomy to direct your own study.

The following are the structures we use, along with the required participation levels:

1. Modules

The programme works in a series of modules. These are not for credit but rather serve to support the development of your study.

Module 1 - 6 months - Introduction to the critical literature on the purposes, histories and structures of higher education

Module 2 - 3 months - literature review on your topic

Module 3 - 3 months - research methods for your study

Module 4 - 6 months - proposal and ethical clearance

Module 5 - 6 months - data collection and working on 2 or 3 draft chapters

Module 6 - 6 months - data analysis and revising 2 or 3 draft chapters

Module 7 - 6 months - writing findings chapters and revising other chapters

Module 8 - 12 months - drafting and redrafting thesis

Apart from Module 1, all assessment tasks form part of your own study.

2. Classes

Classes are held online every second Friday from 2pm to 5pm. These are interactive and involve shared reading, writing, presenting and more. Participants have to attend at least 70% of classes.

3. Doc Weeks

These are held three times a year. They include workshops, seminars, guest lectures and progress presentations. Two are held online and the third is held in a hybrid model. Participants have to attend at least two Doc Weeks per year.

4. Supervision sessions

These are negotiated between the candidate and their supervisor/supervision team. They should be held at least once every two months alongside the structured sessions indicated above.

Last Modified: Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:55:34 SAST