Doctor of Philosophy (In Principalship Studies)

The Institute of Principalship Studies offers the Doctor of Philosophy programme by research with components of coursework, with the aim of producing education professionals and academics in principalship and school leadership. This programme helps prepare candidates to identify their research problems and hence carry out their research. Specifically, the objective of the doctoral programme is to:
(i) open up the opportunity for those working and aspiring to extend their qualifications to Doctoral levels
(ii) offer an opportunity to advance their knowledge in principalship and school leadership
(iii) prepare the educational and non educational personnel as well as aspiring principals through the Doctor of Philosophy programme
(iv) produce competent individuals in the field of research and school improvement. Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Ph. D candidates shoud possess :
(i) A recognized Master degree, and
(ii) Evidence of Training and adequate ability to carry out the study and the planned research.

Candidates are required to submit their complete statement of purpose regarding the qualification and related experience. In addition, candidates who apply for this programme are required to submit two copies of Prospectus, explaining their planned research. A Prospectus of 1000 to 1500 words should include:
the background of the problem to be studied, including literature review,
(ii) statement of the problem,
(iii) purpose, significance and limitation of the study.

Structure of Coursework Component

Admission Date
For the Doctor of Philosophy programme, admission is at the beginning of every semester.

Programme Structure
Upon registration, the candidate will follow the approved higher studies and the research work under the guidance and supervision of one or more supervisors for a period of not less than four semesters for a full time candidate and a period of not less than six semesters for a part time candidate.

Subject to the Senate’s approval, a candidate may be allowed to follow the study or research work in the University or another institute of education/research. If the approved center for research is situated outside Malaysia, then the candidate has to fulfill the condition of twelve months’ stay in the University of Malaya.

Attendance and Supervision of Higher Degree
Every candidate, whether full time or part time is required to be in the campus to meet the supervisor, attend seminars/ courses, and use the library and other research facilities available in the University.

Progress Report
At the end of every academic session, all higher degree candidates are required to submit two copies of their progress report to their supervisors, using the forms available at the Institute for Principalship Studies. Candidates who fail to do so are considered not satisfactory and their candidacy will be reviewed by the Higher Degree Studies Committee. The candidacy of a person may be term

English Language Proficiency:
Overseas candidates who wish to write their project papers in English have to fulfill the following English Language proficiency:
(a) at least a band 5 for IELTS (International English Language Testing Services) or a score of 550 for TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) if the first degree was not obtained from a University that uses English as medium of instruction for the first degree programme or
(b) a pass in the English Language Competency Test administered by University of Malaya; or
(c) a pass in the “Academic Writing for Post Graduate Students” course conducted by University of Malaya.

Duration of Study
The maximum period of candidacy for a doctoral candidate is seven academic years, calculated from the date of registration. The minimum period is four semesters for full time candidacy and six semesters for part time candidacy. Language For Writing Thesis, The doctoral thesis can be written both in Bahasa Malaysia and English.