This route, which is also the Faculty of Education's doctoral training programme, provides a broad-based training in educational research that aims to help students: to become familiar with an appropriate range of intellectual and methodological traditions within the field; to become skilled and critical readers of educational research; to develop knowledge in depth of some substantive area of education and educational research; to develop their capacity to frame research questions and devise appropriate research designs; to develop confidence in using a range of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence; to develop their skills in presenting research-based evidence and argument and to gain practical experience of educational research through conducting a small-scale investigation. Students attend taught sessions twice a week. The course consists of two levels. Introductory Level sessions will offer a general introduction to different aspects of educational research. Intermediate Level sessions are divided into two types: (1) the compulsory core sessions offer further elements focused on the foundations of educational research theory and practice; (2) the elective sessions offer intermediate level topics built on the foundation sessions taught at Introductory Level. Students are required to take all Introductory and Intermediate main programme sessions and should select 44 hours of the elective elements of the programme. The elective sessions are intended to facilitate students' depth of understanding and application of approaches appropriate to their proposed lines of enquiry. The course has been designed to allow students intending to undertake a particular mode of enquiry to focus more attention on their preferred methods within a framework that still ensures a broad and balanced coverage. By the end of the programme, students will have: a comprehensive understanding of research techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to their specific educational domain; demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field; shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies and demonstrated self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.