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0a

Find out more about this Adult Education and Lifelong Learning research degree.

2a

P-X352

2b

PhD

2c

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

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October, January and April

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University of Warwick

3a

The PhD in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning allows you to select a topic of your choice linked to our expertise within the broad undertake an in-depth analysis and research of adult education and lifelong learning. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning provides a rich, transdisciplinary academic environment with supported by a dedicated team including supervision and personal tutoring.

3b

This PhD provides an opportunity to undertake in-depth research within the broad field of adult education and lifelong learning. Adult education and lifelong learning encompass a wide range of learning situations from informal through to formal education and the workplace.


Teaching and learning

We provide a pleasant PhD study room and dedicated personal tutor support in addition to the supervisory team. A combined staff and student seminar programme provides a collegiate forum for sharing and discussing current topics and ideas.

3c

Research themes can include:

  • Lifelong learning in any context including workplace, community, and formal education, plus informal learning in the family or elsewhere
  • Lifelong learning at any age including childhood, young adulthood, mid-life, and/or later years
  • Theories of learning
  • Professional and vocational education
  • Popular and radical education
  • Issues of culture, class, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual identity, and/or disability
  • Access to learning, retention, and drop-out
  • Transitions, learner identity, and career development
  • Transformative learning
  • Motivations to learning

The above is not an exclusive list of research areas and you are free to propose additional topics or themes.

Research proposal guidance

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Recent examples of areas for PhD supervision (an indicative list):

  • Adult Education in HE
  • FE
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Community education
  • Popular/radical adult education
  • Informal learning and work-based learning – with a focus on issues of inequality, (class, gender, ethnicity and age)
  • Access issues
  • Experiences of learning
  • Learning transitions
  • Theoretical enquiry
  • Identities, transitions into the labour market

We have four PhD routes. There is some flexibility in choice of route and applicants are encouraged to discuss this with their potential supervisor. The most important aspect is the nature of your project and its potential for supervision in our department.

Within each route, you will find links to potential supervisors' profiles. You are asked to view your intended supervisor's profile and read their work. Please think about what might make your proposed PhD attractive to your supervisor, and customise the proposal accordingly.

  • How does your project relate to your intended supervisor's work?
  • How might your project enhance, advance, or develop it?
  • Could you take it in a different direction?
  • What kind of methods and approaches are likely to appeal to your potential supervisor?

We receive a large number of proposals every year and only have capacity for proposals that are carefully tailored to our specific areas of expertise.

Find a supervisor guidance

Visit our website to explore our PhD routes and areas of expertise.

4a

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or a good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Supported by a good research proposal (2500 words).

4b

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

4c

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

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