Doctor of Education (EdD)

Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

You can also start this course in January

Why choose this course?

This programme provides you with a structured approach to studying at doctoral level eight.
We are well recognised nationally for our high level of academic standards - we achieved a score of 22/24 in a recent quality audit.
We have specially designed this programme to support and inform professional practice in a wide range of occupations and work settings.
If you are a trainer or teacher, or work in the following areas: education, training in the community, public service, industrial or community settings, you will find this programme very beneficial.

Brief details

The programme offers a distinctive strand to our 'lifelong learning', providing a structured opportunity for you to pursue your studies to doctoral level.

A very broad notion of 'education' is adopted by the programme, encompassing the development of relevant skills, understanding and knowledge across a range of occupations. So, while the programme is relevant for teachers, tutors and lecturers, it is also appropriate for you if you're involved in the processes of learning, teaching, coaching and development in any setting.

About the course

The key focus of this programme is the Independent Research component, which is supervised by a Director of Studies.

For the Theory of Practice component of this programme you will be taught in small seminar groups supported by individual tutorials. These will enable you to build a close relationship with your tutors and other students. For each module you will have two days of intensive teaching.

While you are registered on this programme you will be a member of our Research Centre for Education and Professional Practice, and you will be encouraged to participate fully in its activities.

This programme is very flexible and allows you to fit your studies around your personal commitments - it will take you between three to six years to complete it on a part time basis.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

This programme is valued at 360 credits at doctoral level (8). There are two components: the taught part of the programme - Theory for Practice - which is worth 90 credits; and the Independent Research component, which is worth 270 credits.

Theory for Practice (90 credits)

This component of the programme consists of three 30 credit modules:

Disciplinary Study (30 credits)

You will carry out research in an area of your own choice that supports your own professional interests and the Independent Research component of the programme. This module will support your understanding on how to compose a critical literature review in preparation for the Independent Research component in stage two. During this module you will develop a deep understanding of the professional considerations in education and reflect critically on theoretical and professional perspectives.

Research Methodology (30 credits)

During this module you will develop a critical perspective of a selected range of research methodologies that are appropriate to practice based research in professional settings. Ofsted, the TDA, and other employer organisations such as the CBI, recognise the benefits of studying your own and your colleagues' working practices to identify areas for continuing professional development. You will gain informed insights into the different methods of first hand data gathering, analysis, interpretation, and presentation for a wide range of professional audiences.

Disseminating Professional Insights (30 credits)

After you have completed this module you will be able to review suitable ways of disseminating your research findings. If your personal development objectives are in academic fields, you will look at publishing papers as a key factor in building your academic reputation, enhancing your career progression and obtaining research grants. If your personal development objectives are in areas of professional practice, you will look at ways to change and influence practice by widening the distribution of your insights through published work.

Independent Research (270 credits)

You will take this component of the programmes after you have successfully completed the Theory for Practice stage. Together with your Director of Studies, you will initially develop a learning contract that will shape your research project. It may relate directly to aspects of the Theory for Practice component of this programme, it may further develop some part of it, or it may even totally move away from topics that have already been explored.

Examples of research projects include:

An evaluation of a system for gathering and using student feedback on teachers' professional performance in Israeli high schools.

Improving policing performance in race and diversity: a problem solving analysis of attitudes to gypsies and travellers.

Re-examining the role of control room operators in modern automated control systems.

Self investment in human capital study of the motivations and experiences of students studying for a bachelors degree in management in Israel.

Your career

It is likely that you will be mid-career and have identified this programme as part of your own personal or professional development. Most of our current students are professionals in areas such as education organisations, health and social care, commercial management and training, organisation development and improvement, voluntary sector organisation or the business sector.

What our students say

"The programme gave direction and support to my own professional development and research aspirations."

"The Ed.D programme is a stimulating opportunity to participate in level 8 study, through a range of modules that concentrate your research focus."

"It's great to have the opportunity to network with other practitioners and researchers. The support from staff at the university has been very constructive."

How you're assessed

In designing the programme it has been our intention to offer assessment opportunities that provide a variety and range of assessment tasks which go beyond the requirements of the conventional academic essay, consistent with the programme's aim of facilitating professionals such as yourself in articulating and disseminating their professional expertise.

Over the course of the whole programme, you will complete the following:

A reflective journal of 5,000 words or equivalent demonstrating theoretically located personal insights into the processes of preparing and presenting work for a wider readership.

Preparation and presentation of a seminar paper (2,000 words or equivalent) on a directed or negotiated theme or issue from current debate on educational research.

A formal paper of 3,000 words or equivalent demonstrating an ability to link matters of theory in the field of educational research to practice situations.

Presentation of a critically annotated bibliography of an area of education (5,000 words or equivalent).

A practice-based project of between 50,000 and 60,000 words.

A viva voce examination.

Fees*

Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.

What financial help can I get?

Course length

Part time: 3-6 years

Entry requirements

You will usually hold a masters award in an appropriate academic field, or have an equivalent ...

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Standard entry requirements

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