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We have a long and established track record of research excellence and international impact.
In the latest Research Excellence Framework, 98% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).
As a research student with us, we encourage you to participate in the wide range of opportunities available to you at the Institute, and to engage with the important and often complex issues which arise in research within the field of education.
We have a national and international reputation for impactful research which at the same time makes important contributions to theory across the education, language and learning spectrum.
Explore information about our research staff and their projects
When you undertake a PhD with us, you'll be assigned a supervisor with expertise that aligns with your research topic.
Our expert academics are leaders in their areas of research, and will work closely with you to ensure your time with us as a PhD student is as rewarding as possible.
Find out more about our staff and the areas of doctoral research they supervise
The University allocates around 150 entry awards each year in PhD studentships and bursaries, so there are many ways to access PhD funding. A studentship is usually a package that provides full funding for tuition fees and living costs.
At the Institute of Education, our PhD students come with a range of funding.
We offer several routes to a doctoral qualification, so you can find the one that suits you and the topic you wish to study.
Part-time PhDs are available as well as full-time, so you can choose a mode of study that suits your circumstances.
Our PhD by Distance programme allows you to benefit from the expertise of a Reading-based supervisor, while conducting your research in a different location.