OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a full research programme designed to nurture highly competent scholars and leaders in the field of Education. It emphasizes advanced research, ethical professionalism, and global engagement while offering unique advantages in terms of academic quality and affordability.
PURPOSE, VISION, MISSION
- The programme aims to develop scholars with deep expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to generate impactful research that addresses local and global challenges in education.
- Guided by UTM’s vision as a leading research university, the programme aspires to prepare graduates who uphold integrity, innovation, and sustainable practices in academia and beyond.
UNIQUE STRENGTHS
- International recognition with ranking parity to global PhD programmes.
- Distinguished faculty with interdisciplinary expertise.
- Strong industry and academic collaborations that enhance research opportunities.
- Affordable tuition and living costs, offering excellent value compared to overseas universities.
DURATION AND MODE OF STUDY
- Full-time registration only (all PhD students are registered as full-time).
- Minimum: 6 semesters (3 years)
- Maximum: 16 semesters (8 years)
- Entirely research-based (Full Research).
PROGRAMME EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
- PEO1 : Possess state of the art knowledge with practical skills, capable of using advanced numerical techniques and digital technologies in the educational settings.
- PEO2 : Leaders with autonomy, communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders in constructing creative concepts/practices through research.
- PEO3 : Advocate professional and ethical practices in all education settings and defend the integrity of the profession at all times.
- PEO4: Education Practitioners with positive attitude, entrepreneurial mind set and sustainable practices in progressing their career and the profession.
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
- At the end of studies, students have the competencies to:
- PLO1 : Synthesize, critique, apply, and extend in-depth relevant knowledge independently using innovative techniques, tools, and skills in the field of Education as a basis for research to produce new ideas and solutions.
- PLO2 : Create new and original knowledge/theories/solutions/practice through independent research that satisfies international standards within the field of Education using the latest techniques, tools, and skills.
- PLO3 :Integrate sophisticated and specialized research methodologies based on the advanced knowledge and latest development in the field of Education to solve complex research problems with reasonable degree of originality.
- PLO4 :Demonstrate productive collaboration with peers, scholarly communities and society at large in the relevant field of expertise and research.
- PLO5 : Communicate effectively knowledge, skills, ideas and research findings using appropriate methods to peers, scholarly communities, and societies through various medium.
- PLO6 :Use, improve existing or develop new appropriate tools or methodologies using a broad range of digital technology, media and software to support and enhance research activities.
- PLO7 :Demonstrate skills in research design, critical evaluation, and analysis of numerical and graphical data using quantitative or qualitative tools to support and enhance research activities.
- PLO8 :Demonstrate leadership, professionalism and management skills, and take full responsibility for own work and significantly for others in the research organization.
- PLO9 :Demonstrate the ability to self-manage and self-enhance, and where relevant be accountable for overall management of own research organization and professional development.
- PLO10 :Develop research output which has the potential to be commercialised.
- PLO11:Demonstrate adherence to legal and professional, and contribute to the development of ethical codes of practice
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
General University Requirements:
Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications:
- a) A Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.75 or equivalent; or
- b) A Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field or related fields or equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 but not meeting 2.75, may be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment; or
- c) Candidates without relevant academic qualifications in the field but with working experience in related areas must undertake appropriate prerequisite courses as determined by the Faculty/School.
If candidates have completed related prerequisite courses through:
- i. Micro-credentials; or
MOOCs; or
iii. Elective courses during their undergraduate or Master’s studies,
evidence of the course results may be submitted to UTM for registration purposes.
English Language Requirements (for international students):
International students who wish to pursue postgraduate programs at UTM must meet the following English language competency requirements:
- a) IELTS Band 6.0 and above; or
b) TOEFL iBT score 60 and above; or
c) Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQ) with a minimum score of B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE), or Lingua skill with a score of 169 and above; or
d) PTE Academic with a score of 59 and above; or
e) Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Band 4 and above; or
f) ELS Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP) Level 108 and above; or
g) Any other examination benchmarked to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) with a minimum score of B2.
Exemption from the English requirement may be granted to international students who originate from countries where English is the official medium of instruction, or to those who have obtained academic qualifications from institutions in countries where English is the official medium of instruction.
For students who do not meet the requirement, they may take the Intensive English Programme (IEP) at the UTM Language Academy or the CIEP at any ELS Language Centre within one year from the date of registration. Upon completion and passing of the program, students must sit for an examination benchmarked to the CEFR with a minimum score of B2 in order to be accepted to pursue studies at UTM.
For international students who do not meet the English language competency requirements, they may be considered for a conditional offer under the following circumstances:
- a) The student undertakes the English preparatory course prescribed by UTM; and
b) The student must then sit for an examination benchmarked to the CEFR with a minimum score of B2.
PREREQUISITE (IMPORTANT NOTICE)
YHPP 1013-FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION
Master Full Research and PhD
1. Starting semester 1 session 2023/24 session, Masters Full Research and PhD students who do not have qualifications in the field of education or work experience related to education must pass the prerequisite course set on the first semester of study.
2. Students are allowed to register University Elective course and also UHPP 6013 while taking the prerequisite course.
3. Students need to pass the prerequisite course in order to do proposal defense.
