As part of a ‘Questions to Ask’ series, the EDE project has developed a Key Consideration Guide with ‘questions to ask’ when you are planning to include Coursework in the Doctorate.
In 2003, the Bologna Process in Europe was expanded to include the “third cycle” of higher education: doctoral studies. One key outcome of this development has been a shift toward more structured doctoral programmes in many countries. This has included the establishment of doctoral schools and the introduction of more defined curricula at the doctoral level, often incorporating formal coursework alongside independent research.
Our most recent Key Consideration Guide starts with listing various benefits related to including coursework in the doctorate, such as i) enabling a broad understanding of the academic field beyond any one topic, ii) exposing students to methods and techniques useful in their workplace, and iii) contributing to the development of graduate attributes.
Next, the Guide also provides a list of questions to help mitigate the cons of coursework in the doctorate.
The ‘Questions to ask’ series draws on literature and experience worldwide to offer a set of questions to pose when implementing or evaluating a practice. In this edition, the focus is on questions to ask when you are planning to include coursework in the Doctorate.
Please note: Context matters. There is no best-practice model that applies across all countries, universities, and disciplines. Rather than prescribing one approach, this guide is intended to assist curriculum developers, doctoral schools, supervisors, and policymakers in identifying and implementing practices that are most appropriate for their own context.
