Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών

Profile of Programme

The early childhood education field, pre-primary teachers and those interested in working and studying young children’s learning and development need to acquire research skills. The PhD programme aspires to foster the development of researchers specialized in early years education, young children’s learning and development as well as in early childhood teacher education who will be well equipped in terms of knowledge from pedagogy, sociology, anthropology psychology, and research methodology and thus be in a position to provide the evidence that will support a continuous qualitative upgrading of educational policy in early childhood education.

The general aim of the programme is to offer comprehensive education for researchers in early years education. Programme participants will acquire skills in basic and applied research; they will develop strategies for evaluating and reforming educational policy; and they will acquire skills for critically analysing recent trends and findings related to early years education.

Key Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the programme, it is expected that students of the Area Early Childhood Education, will:

• Will be acquainted with the basic literature on early years epistemology, early years pedagogies, young children’s learning and development, and approaches to the creation and implementation of educational programmes for young children.

• Will develop skills for reviewing and critically analyzing the literature related to specific research questions that refer to early childhood education .

• Will be acquainted with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and will acquire experience in applying these methods to the collection and analysis of data and in promoting the study of basic and applied questions in early years education.

• Will be able to make the connection between research and praxis and formulate the necessary questions to be investigated with the appropriate methodology to respond to important issues in the field.

• Will be able to utilize available research evidence and develop detailed suggestions for early years educational policy changes taking into consideration existing needs and constraints of the educational system with the goal to respond to the needs of children and qualitatively enhance their experiences, learning and development.

Key Information

Department: Department of Education

Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences and Education

Programme Name: Pedagogical Sciences/Preschool Education

Direction: Pedagogical Sciences - Preschool Education

Level of Qualification: 3rd Cycle (Doctoral's Degree) [8 Semesters]

Mode of Study: Full time and Part time are both possible

Language of Instruction: Greek

Coordinator: Eleni Loizou (eloizou@ucy.ac.cy)

Iliada Elia (elia.iliada@ucy.ac.cy)

Curriculum Structure

Course Type	ECTS
Compulsory
Compulsory	216
Restricted Elective	24
TOTAL ECTS	240

Courses per Semester

Conditions of Study

Specific Admission Requirements

The number of places available are announced by the Graduate School with the eligibility criteria for candidates, as well as other required documents that must be attached to the application such as:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University.

• Previous University education in a suitable subject (academic background) and grades of relevant degrees.

• Letters of recommendation.

• Personal interview and/or written examination (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).

• Submission of preliminary research proposal for admission to a doctoral course (if provided by the Department’s internal rules).

The Department may also set additional criteria and quality indicators such as: (a) number of students’ publications in scientific journals, (b) students’ participation in seminars, symposia, research programmes, (c) presentations by students at conferences, (d) knowledge of foreign languages, and (e) professional experience, etc.

Rules of Study

Students must always advise the University's' Postgraduate Study Rules

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the requirements of the Program

Up to 60 ECTS may be exempted from postgraduate courses.

Examination Regulations

Please advise Postgraduate Study Rules

Assessment and Grading

The diploma dissertation, thesis, research and writing stages are graded with Success / Failure. The final grade of the dissertation is registered in the last semester of its elaboration. The doctoral dissertation is graded as Success or Failure.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

This program concerns both pre-service and in-service teachers of all educational levels, from preschool to secondary education who are interested in working and doingresearch with young children. The spectrum of potential candidates is large thus there are no difficulties in regards to the number of candidates admitted per year. On the contrary, demand is very high each year. Thus, there is no question concerning the viability of the program. Below we provide the yearly revenues, as well as the operating expenses of the program. Please note that all expenses concern our PhD postgraduate students.

Our PhD holders could be employed in the education sector, in private or public schools, by passing the necessary examination, or they can create their own schools. Additionally, our PhD graduates can be employed in out of school contexts such as musems, libraries, municipalities, companies offering after school program curricula or they can also work at both private and public universities in Cyprus. Moreover, a PhD degree counts as a strong qualification for promotion purposes at the public or even private sector.