Foundation Research Methods in Education (PGA) (2025 Entry)

Students as part of the Foundation Research Methods in Education course in conversation.

Course code

P-X9Y6

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

1 term part-time

Qualification

Postgraduate Award (PGA)

Led by

Education Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-X9Y6

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

1 term part-time

Qualification

Postgraduate Award (PGA)

Led by

Education Studies

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

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Find out more about our Research Methods in Education PGA course.

This award is made up of one module that will help you understand, design and carry out research in the field of Education. It is suitable for anyone who is interested in researching any aspect of Education – whether you are a practitioner who is looking to apply research to practice or someone who is interested in researching Education from a more theoretical perspective.

Course overview

The Postgraduate Award in Research Methods in Education will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues involved in conceptualising and designing educational research.

It includes general and specific aspects of research training including key dimensions of qualitative and quantitative research, their applications, understanding of relational aspects between them, and appreciation of the politics and ethics of doing educational research. The module is designed to contextualise educational research, in terms of its theoretical, epistemological and methodological underpinnings, for a broad cross section of students, enabling you to understand different facets of educational research in an integrated and coherent fashion.

The aim of the assessment method is to lead to research design and dissertation planning. In addition, practical skills are built into the module, through workshops, seminars and tutorials, designed to develop library, software, web and applied IT search skills, and research skills relevant to your needs and interests.

Skills from this course

Understand the stages in designing and carrying out research in the field of Education
Engage critically with the theoretical and methodological grounds on which education research is based
Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of educational research from different perspectives and methodologies
Gain familiarity with different research practices in relation to a range of empirical investigations within educational settings
Be able to identify a topic to research and design and carry out a small scale research project in a field of interest to you
Be able to communicate your research to different users

Important information

We are planning to make changes to our Foundation Research Methods in Education Award for 2025 entry. Our core modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band B
IELTS score to 7 overall, no more than two components at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Modules

Core modules

Research Methods in Education (alternative online module available for part-time students if required)

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education.

It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module, you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. This course is part of the Education Studies department which follows a non-standard fee structure. Full fee details are listed via the 'find your course fees' button. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Teaching

Depending on which module you select, the course is either delivered entirely online, through a dedicated distance learning portal over one term, or face to face over two terms. For the online variant, you will use a mixture of online text extracts and journals, and will undertake regular tasks alongside the end of module assignments. Support will be given via email and/or face-to-face with your subject tutor, depending on the delivery mode chosen for the module chosen. For the face-to-face variant, the course will be delivered through a variety of teaching methods: lectures, seminars, discussions, presentations and case studies etc.

Typical contact hours

Support will be given via email with your subject tutor.

Assessment

The assessment on this course supports students to think about their dissertation project. Assessments include a research proposal (either a poster and presentation or written proposal document if completing the module online) and a critical reflective essay.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Find out more about our additional course costs.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Careers

Your career

This Programme will provide students with a solid foundation in how to design and carry out a research project in the field of Education. It will be useful for those who need to engage with research in Education as part of their job as well as those who would like to develop their skills in carrying out a project of their own.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

Careers in Education
Careers with Children and Young People
Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Department

Education Studies at Warwick

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Application deadlines

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

Applications close on 2 August 2026 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

Useful links

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Page Updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Foundation Research Methods in Education (PGA) (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Research Methods in Education PGA course.

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

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