PhD in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning

Join our part-time Doctoral Programme in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning to carry out your own research and achieve a PhD. The programme takes between 4 to 7 years to complete.

We have designed this programme for anyone in the world who wants to develop their research practice in this area. Although you will mainly learn online, you will also benefit from two short face-to-face residential meetings (one in the first year and one in the second year) where you will get to know your tutors and fellow doctoral researchers, and take part in a range of interactive sessions. These are valuable core elements of the programme.

Download theTEL Enquiry Handbook (2027)

Key information

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Why study a PhD in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning

Geraldine talks about studying for a PhD in Educational Research at Lancaster

How to Apply

The next start date is January 2027 (CH20).

For admission to this programme applicants should normally have:

  • a good honours degree from a British university or CNAA, and a good taught Master's degree; or
  • qualifications of a comparable standard from a university or recognised degree awarding body in another country.

Preference will be given to applicants who have degrees in cognate areas (normally social science).

Language proficiency

Applicants will need to have an acceptable fluency in written and spoken English.

For students whose first language is not English, an English Language Test Certificate will be required, that is, IELTS Academic with an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 for reading and writing.

Further information can be found at: English Language Requirements.

Please apply using the online system.

The next start date is 1st January, 2027.

Typical Cohort Number: 30

As this is a PhD by coursework and thesis we do not require a research proposal at this stage, but you should explain why you wish to join the programme and how you hope to benefit from it.

Please contact the admissions team if you have any questions about applying to study at 91快活林.

Fees and funding

The fee for each cohort is set annually by the University and represents the part-time fee for that academic year. Once a student is on the programme the fee will be increased in line with inflation for each subsequent year of the course.

The course fee for:

  • 26/27 is £5,800 per academic year, for four years minimum, for UK students and £10,3700 per academic year, for four years minimum, for international students. (October 2026 - ESJ & HEREE and January 2027 - TEL Starts)

Fees are subject to a small increase each academic year.

To help finance your postgraduate study at Lancaster, you can apply for funding from charities and other funders: further details are available on the Fees and Funding webpage.

When you apply you will need to indicate your likely source of funding for your fees. If you are not self-funding you should investigate possible sources of finance as soon as you can for the full period of your study. Many students have been supported by their employing institutions.

Structure and modules

The programme is divided into two parts and has a modular structure in Part 1. All modules are compulsory and they are assessed along with the thesis proposal and the final thesis.

  • Part One (years 1 and 2) consists of four modules that offer participants guided study in key areas of technology enhanced learning research.
  • Part Two (year 3 Onwards) - participants carry out an original piece of research under the supervision of a member of staff and produce a thesis with a maximum limit of 50,000 words.
Part One (Years 1 and 2)
Part Two (Year 3 Onwards)

View a list of some of the PhD theses from the TEL programme.

PhD theses from TEL programme

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like further information about this programme, please contact the PGR Hub Administrators.

Email: fhasspgr@lancaster.ac.uk

Online and Distance learning

The Educational Research Discipline has considerable experience of supporting online and distance learners and we aim to make all our students feel that they are full members of the School of Social Sciences and part of the postgraduate community. Wherever possible, we facilitate online participation at events and seminars organised by the School.

All students have access to Moodle, which is our Virtual Learning Environment. Many resources required for postgraduate study will be available online through the OneSearch facility offered by the Library. Additionally, the Library provides extra services for Distance Learners.

The provide a wide range of online study opportunities across a range of topics. These include digital skills, referencing, research training and critical thinking.