Doctor of Philosophy In Education

Advance your expertise in education with a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Sunway University. This doctoral programme fosters independent research, critical analysis, and scholarly inquiry, empowering you to make meaningful contributions to the field. Under the mentorship of renowned faculty members, you will engage in cutting-edge research and develop the essential skills needed for impactful educational advancements.

As part of Sunway University's dynamic research community, you will collaborate with diverse research centres and benefit from world-class resources. This programme is ideal for experienced educators, policy professionals, and aspiring academic leaders looking to influence educational practice and policy.

Academic Requirements

• A Master's Degree (Level 7 Malaysian Qualifications Framework, MQF) as accepted by the HEP's Senate; OR
• Other qualifications equivalent to a Master's Degree (Level 7, MQF), as accepted by the HEP Senate. 

English Competency Requirement for International Students

Achieve a minimum score of 6.0 for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) OR its equivalent.

Research Methodology

In addition to the thesis component, students will be required to take Research Methodology to enhance their knowledge in research.

Thesis

Students pursuing the PhD (Education) programme shall undertake an in-depth study on a particular research topic, the findings of which shall be submitted in the form of a thesis. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination, called  viva voce.

Professional Development Activities

Workshops

To support our postgraduate students in their research journey, we provide a comprehensive and enriching learning experience through a strategic combination of workshop series and research colloquium. The workshop series aims to enhance practical research skills through hands-on sessions, fostering collaboration among students and addressing research challenges collectively. The tailored content delivery will cater specifically to the unique needs of educational research, covering areas such as skill acquisition, literature review techniques, methodologies, and ethical considerations. We also include a workshop on generative artificial intelligence (AI), equipping you with cutting-edge skills relevant to the demands of 21st-century teaching and learning.

There are nine (9) series of workshops that postgraduate students can attend before embarking on thesis writing. The first six (6) series of workshops are compulsory and the last three (3) series of workshops are optional.

• Workshop 1: Introduction to Research 
• Workshop 2: Reviewing the Literature 
• Workshop 3: Research Purpose, Research Objectives, Research Questions and Hypotheses 
• Workshop 4: Quantitative Research Methodology 
• Workshop 5: Qualitative Research Methodology 
• Workshop 6: Research Proposal and Thesis Writing 
• Workshop 7: Generative AI for Research 
• Workshop 8: SPSS for Beginners 
• Workshop 9: NVivo for Beginners

Research Colloquium

Alongside a series of workshops, postgraduate students are encouraged to attend research colloquia, which offer opportunities for networking, presenting their work, and receiving constructive feedback from peers and faculty. This platform not only enhances presentation skills but also stimulates critical thinking by exposing students to a diverse range of research topics. 

Areas of Research

We have a team of dedicated Supervisors with expertise in areas of research including (but not limited to):

• Educational Psychology
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Leadership & Management
• Education Technology