We are making great effort in building a vibrant, innovative Ph.D. programme that attracts top regional and international students and develops them into world-class talent. Doctoral study in FED means full immersion in dynamic and dedicated intellectual communities. We empower cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by the cognitive science, psychology, technology, language, neuroscience, policy, arts, and more. This full-time programme is designed for those whose aspirations are to join an institution of higher education for a career in higher education teaching and research. Become an expert in the field’s research literatures, contemporary issues and research methodologies of your chosen concentration area while working in a close relationship with your supervisor(s). Our Ph.D. programme strives to provide coursework and individual supervision to produce scholars, researchers, and leaders of the highest quality: research-savvy, methodologically sophisticated, and prepared for a lifetime of contributions to their field of study.

We hope that your time with us will be rewarding and productive.

Download the Ph.D. Handbook

1.  Understand the nature of scientific knowledge in education in general and specific knowledge relevant to their own area of specialization.
2.  Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques applicable to their specialized area.
3.  Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address fundamental questions in their specialized area.
4.  Communicate the results of their research in a scholarly manner.
5.  Make original and significant contributions to the scientific knowledge base in their area of research, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their specialized area.
Admission to PhD programme

Applicants are advised to refer to the webpage of Faculty Members: https://fed.um.edu.mo/people/faculty-members/ to nominate a PhD supervisor.

Mode of entry includes:

  • General Entry to PhD programmes (for Master’s Degree Holders): Possess a Master’s degree or academic background recognized as equivalent by the University of Macau.
  • Accelerated Entry to PhD Programmes (for UM Master Students): Have been registered in a Master’s Programme at the University of Macau for at least one year. Have successfully finished the coursework part with outstanding performance and have demonstrated strong research ability.
  • Direct Entry to PhD Progorammes is not currently considered in Faculty of Education.

Please visit the webpage of the Graduate School for admission details

https://grs.um.edu.mo/index.php/prospective-students/doctoral-degrees-programmes/

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Programme of Study

Study plan for Intakes in and after Academic Year of 2023/2024

Course Code Course Title Credit
EDUC8001 Qualitative Research Methods 3
EDUC8002 Applications of Advanced Quantitative Methods 3
EDUC8003 Research Ethics 0
EDUC8004 Research Writing 3
EDUC8005 Introduction to Educational Research 1
EDUC8008 Qualitative Research Design 2
EDUC8009 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics 3
Total Credits: 15

Doctoral Thesis

Course Code Course Title Credit
EDUC8999 Doctoral Thesis 18

Students are required to complete 33 credits to graduate.

*Study plan for Intakes in and after Academic Year 2016/2017-2022/2023

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Programme

Course description for Intakes in and after Academic Year 2023/2024

EDUC8001 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

This course intends to provide graduate students with systematic training about qualitative research methodology in education. Course participants will learn about different approaches to qualitative research and their epistemological underpinnings, the social theoretical paradigms informing different approaches, ethical considerations and issues of reflexivity/positionality/legitimacy, and the methodological nuts-and-bolts in conducting qualitative inquiry.

Pre-requisite(s): Introducing Qualitative Research, or equivalent; or based on instructor’s consent.

EDUC8002 APPLICATIONS OF ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE METHODS

This course provides coverage of some widely-used advanced quantitative methods in education and other social and behavorial sciences. It provides the analytical foundation for doctoral students in using these more advanced analytical approaches in evidence-based empirical research.

Pre-requisite(s): Introducing Quantitative Research, or equivalent; or based on instructor’sconsent.

EDUC8003 RESEARCH ETHICS

This course is intended to provide a foundation for PhD students to think critically about what it means to be an ethical researcher. During this course students will critically analyse research ethics topics and case studies, and learn how to conduct a research project from an ethical standpoint. By understanding and reflecting upon research ethics-specific issues, students will assimilate the importance of scientific integrity while acquiring key reasoning skills that will significantly increase the scientific quality and impact of their future research.

Pre-requisite: None

EDUC8004 RESEARCH WRITING

This course aims at introducing to PhD students an overall view of understanding and conducting educational research in a scholarly way. Critical issues are discussed in this module, including conceptualization, operationalization, measurement and others in order to lay a solid foundation for junior researchers in developing their research career.

Pre-requisite: None

EDUC8005 INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

This course aims at establishing a pragmatic foundation for doctoral students by seeing the strengths and weaknesses of various methods. It is designed for first-year doctoral students who pursue social science research.

Pre-requisite: None

EDUC8008 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN

This course will present qualitative research objectives, qualitative research characteristics, and commonly used qualitative research strategies for Year-1 PhD students. This course aims to promote PhD students’ ability to understand, interpret and apply qualitative approaches in authentic research contexts and prepare them for learning advanced qualitative research at a later stage.

Pre-requisite: None

EDUC8009 DESCRIPTIVE AND INFERENTIAL STATISTICS

This is an introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics. The focus of the course is on basic quantitative research design as well as the use and interpretation of statistical procedures used with quantitative methods of research and evaluation. Topics covered include types of research design in quantitative research, descriptive statistics, measures of variability, procedures for evaluating the reliability and validity of tests and surveys, and correlation. This course does not rely heavily on mathematical skills. The statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS) will be used in this course.

Pre-requisite: None

EDUC8999 DOCTORAL THESIS

This course deals with both the theoretical and practical aspects of designing dissertation research and successfully defending the design in a proposal hearing. The purpose of the course is to assist students through the doctoral proposal and dissertation writing processes.

*Course description for Intakes in and after Academic Year 2016/2017-2022/2023

Chinese and English

Please refer to the website of the Graduate School for details of UM Funding: 

https://grs.um.edu.mo/index.php/prospective-students/doctoral-degrees-programmes/