Doctorate of Education (EdD)

This programme is intended for senior professionals in all phases of education, training, health and caring professions who wish to extend and deepen their expertise by participating in doctoral level study but who are not intending to become career researchers.

The EdD differs from the traditional PhD in that it includes a substantial taught element enabling course members to acquire a considerable depth in their chosen specialism and a range of research skills. It also has a strong emphasis on research in one's work environment. The EdD and PhD have the same entrance requirements and although they differ in their mode of delivery they are regarded as having the same status by the University. Each student will be assigned a postgraduate and a personal supervisor who will give detailed advice and guidance.

Is this course for me?

If you are an experienced practitioner who:

• seeks an opportunity to pursue a rigorous and high-level academic study
• would benefit from sharing the knowledge and experiences of tutors of national and international standing
• enjoys sharing ideas with like-minded committed professionals
• would like to research policy issues in your work context.

Dr Gill Clarke
Dr Jenny Byrne

Professor Nick Foskett
Professor Anthony Kelly
Professor Alison Fuller
Professor Jacky Lumby

The course begins in October and ends in June. The full time programme is taught on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. The part time is taught on a Tuesday with teaching normally taking place from 16:45 until approximately 19.00. .

Students are required to take eight units. These core units comprise of five research training units and three units whose prime focus is one of the designated fields. The programme is modularised to allow for flexibility thus catering for the needs of busy professionals.

Research Training

A range of training units will be provided. These will equip course participants with the skills and knowledge required of a disciplined enquiry and include:

• Research Skills and Processes - introduces students to a range of research skills, processes and issues that you will need to be aware of when designing, conducting and managing your own research.
• Data Collection- offer students the opportunity of gaining familiarity with a broad range of data collection approaches beyond the needs of their immediate research project.
• Data Analysis considers research data from a qualitative analytical approach. It examines what we mean by qualitative analysis and the meanings you acquire.
• Philosophical Issues in Educational Research provides an introduction to epistemological issues in the philosophy of social science, including an introduction to philosophical assumptions underlying different approaches to educational enquiry.

Core Fields

Leadership and Management in Education

• Theories of Leadership and Management - Leadership and management are consistently identified as significant in the improvement of organisations and the experience and achievements of learners. However, our understanding of both remains partial, plural and uncertain. This module focuses on how we understand leadership and management, how they are enacted and how we measure their effect on learners.
• Comparative and International Perspectives In a globalised world all leaders work in an international context where global pressures and diverse communities shape the nature of leadership and management. This module will consider the international context and how this may influence the work of leaders and managers in their practice.
• Management Processes Effective management is a requirement to sustain effective organisations. This module will critically examine some of the nuts and bolts of management, such as developing people, relating to communities, managing finance and resources and change processes.

• The Meaning of Auto/Biography - This module introduces the concept of auto/biographical studies and its purposes, methods and applications. There will also be an introduction to the range of ways that auto/biographical research can be carried out, and thought will be given to the collection, interpretation, arrangements and presentation of auto/biographical data. Students will be encouraged and helped to develop and pursue their own professional interests in auto/biographical work.
• Education, Economy and Society: perennial issues, debates and implications for policy - This module explores the relationship between education and work/economy, including the academic-vocational divide and lifelong learning and the quest for social justice, including widening participation (through the life-course) and the growing importance of qualifications.
• The Sociology of the Individual - This module examines the relationship between social influences, personal understandings and the establishment of individual identity. Students will be encouraged to examine the educational experiences (either their own, those of others, or a mixture of the two) that shape lives. This will involve some study of various autobiographies, biographies, and other forms of life-writing. Students will be encouraged to develop their own auto/biographical studies and be introduced to the theories and techniques for doing so.

The doctorate will be assessed by a combination of assignments, a research thesis and an oral examination. The assignments will amount to 30,000 words based on the taught element of the course. The research thesis will amount to 45,000 words focused on a particular aspect of a student's chosen specialism. The thesis will consist of your own account of your investigations and will demonstrate how you have advanced the study of your subject.

The doctorate is designed to meet the needs of those involved in education, training, social and caring professions who are seeking to extend and deepen their knowledge and understanding of contemporary education issues and whose work requires them to have a high level of research and enquiry skills.

MA or MSc (or equivalent), plus at least 3 years’ professional experience.

Personal statement

In line with present University Quality Assurance Regulations, please provide a Personal Statement of between 500 and 750 words including your academic qualifications, your research interests and details of your research aspirations/intentions when making an application.

Apply online, download or print the Postgraduate Application Form

Download or print the Research Fees Information

Download or print the Research Insert Form

Download or print the EdD Guide

Details on how to apply for the Research Degrees are available here...

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