New programme description: UTVIT
The programme description presents, among other things, the learning outcomes, target group, admission requirements, content, structure and organisation of the PhD programme.
Here you can download and read the programme description for the PhD in Educational Sciences (UTVIT).
UTVIT's coursework component
The coursework component comprises 30 ECTS, of which 22 ECTS are compulsory and 8 ECTS are chosen in agreement with the main supervisor. The coursework component consists of four course groups.
Course group A: Course in scientific theory and research ethics
Scope: 8 ECTS
Compulsory
In this course, candidates further develop their insight into topics and concepts in philosophy of science that are relevant to educational research/educational sciences. They also acquire knowledge about research ethics, the relationship between science and society, and the relationships between science, power and normativity.
Possible methodological implications and consequences of different theoretical positions or problem formulations in educational research are critically discussed. The specific theories addressed may vary from one course instance to another.
Course group B: Educational sciences. Theoretical perspectives
Scope: 11 ECTS
This course group comprises:
- one compulsory course (7 ECTS)
- one elective course (4 ECTS)
The theoretical specialisation in educational sciences is taken either through B1A: The professional focus of teacher education scences. Theoretical perspectives, or through B1B: Pedagogy with diversity as a lens. Theoretical perspectives. Theoretical perspectives. The course group reflects and conveys the specific profile of the PhD programme, while the elective course allows each PhD candidate to work with more specific theories and issues to support their thesis work. Issues in research ethics are addressed in all courses from the perspective of educational sciences.
The compulsory course includes a joint seminar providing a common educational sciences platform across the two specialisations, where current educational sciences perspectives are discussed. The seminar corresponds to 1 ECTS. Participation is a coursework requirement in both specialisations.
The PhD programme is interdisciplinary in that it covers all teacher education subjects as well as pedagogy as a discipline. For this reason, several elective courses have been developed and tailored to different groups of PhD candidates. The elective courses are designed to provide equivalent learning outcomes, coursework requirements and forms of assessment.
Course group C: Scientific research methods
Scope: 10 ECTS
This course group comprises:
- one compulsory course (6 ECTS)
- one elective course (4 ECTS)
The compulsory course, Research methods in educational sciences (6 ECTS), provides breadth, while the elective courses (4 ECTS) offer specialisation.
The compulsory course addresses qualitative and quantitative methods, with emphasis on their use in exploring issues in educational sciences. Different methodological, methodical and research ethical issues are presented and discussed. Attention is also given to how different research methods are used in empirical studies of education. Through the courses, PhD candidates critically analyse methodological and research ethical issues in selected studies and present and discuss methodological questions relevant to their own thesis work.
The elective courses provide a basis for specialisation in methodological and methodical approaches of particular relevance to the field and to the candidate’s own thesis. Taken together, the courses cover a broad range of qualitative and quantitative approaches, while addressing research ethics.
Course group D: Academic dissemination
Scope: 1 ECTS
Compulsory
PhD candidates shall gain experience in disseminating themes and results from their own thesis work. To pass the course, the candidate must document at least one presentation of thesis findings at an international scientific conference and at least one dissemination activity aimed at users or the general public. User‑oriented dissemination may target, for example, teachers, school leaders or trade unions, while public dissemination addresses the wider public, e.g. through different types of media. The user‑oriented or public dissemination can be in different formats, such as an oral lecture, a newspaper article, a podcast, or different activities online or in social media.
Old programme description: PROFF
The programme description describes the learning outcomes, target groups, admission criteria, content and structure of the programme.
Here you can download and read the complete PhD in Teaching and Teacher Education (PROFF) programme description.
PROFF's coursework component
The coursework component consists of advanced scientific courses, equivalent to at least 30 ECTS, and includes compulsory and elective courses.
The coursework component prepares candidates for their own thesis work, and provides them with a deeper knowledge of central and relevant issues in the areas of research theory, methods and ethics. You can find more information about the coursework component in PROFF's programme description.
Compulsory courses (22 ECTS)
A. Courses in scientific theory and research ethics (8 ECTS)
- A1. Course in scientific theory and research ethics (8 ECTS). Usually offered in the spring semester.
B. Courses in teaching and teacher education. Theoretical perspectives (6 ECTS)
- Spring 2023: B1. Course in teaching and teacher education. Theoretical perspectives (6 ECTS). Usually offered in the spring semester.
C. Courses in scientific research methods (6 ECTS)
- C1. Course in scientific research methods (6 ECTS). Usually offered in the autumn semester.
D. Academic seminar in teaching and teacher education (1 ECTS). The academic seminar is completed through carrying out the midway evaluation and 90 percent seminar. Guidelines can be found in the Supplementary guidelines for the PhD in Teaching and Teacher Education.
E. Dissemination of results in teaching and teacher education (1 ECTS). The PhD candidates are to gain experience in the dissemination of themes and results from their own thesis work. Dissemination is documented through holding dissemination presentations, completing courses, presentations at conferences, or similar.
Elective courses (8 ECTS)
- Category B: courses in teaching and teacher education. Theoretical perspectives (4 ECTS)
One elective course must be within category B: courses in teaching and teacher education (4 ECTS) - Category C: Courses in scientific research methods (4 ECTS).
One elective course must be within category C (4 ECTS)