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. (Undertaken over a minimum of four years).

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 the TEL Enquiry Handbook (2025)

Key information
How to Apply
Fees and funding
Structure and modules
Online and Distance learning
Current Programme staff

Key information

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How to Apply

The next start date is January 2024 (CH17).

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, 2025.

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 Lancaster University.

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:

  • 24/25 is £5,410 per academic year, for four years minimum, for UK students and £9,670 per academic year, for four years minimum, for international students. (October 2024 & January 2025 Start)
  • 25/26 is £5,620 per academic year, for four years minimum, for UK students and £10,050 per academic year, for four years minimum, for international students. (October 2025 & January 2026 Start)

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.

Find out what our graduates say about studying on our PhD programmes

PhD in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning graduates

Several doctoral researchers have published journal articles arising from their module assignments and theses.

Examples of publications arising from TEL programme

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

Online and Distance learning

The Educational Research Department 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 Department and part of the postgraduate community. Wherever possible we facilitate online participation at events and seminars organised by the Department.

All students have access to Moodle which is our Virtual Learning Environment. Many resources, for example, journal articles; 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.

Visit our Computer requirements for studying online page for further information.

Rebecca Marsden is the Online Learning Support Officer for the Department of Educational Research and she can be contacted with queries about online learning.

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

Current Programme staff

The staff who teach and supervise programmes and modules can vary due to staff changes including research and other types of leave. However all academics leading modules are highly-qualified specialists in their fields.

Contact us

If you have any questions, or would like further information about this programme, please contact the Programme Co-ordinator, Alice Jesmont.

Tel: +44 (0) 1524 592893

Email: a.jesmont@lancaster.ac.uk

PhDs in Educational Research