This programme is for experienced professionals in education able to engage in major projects related to their area of professional practice. The EdD programme team are particularly known for their work on leadership, inclusion and diversity and intercultural research.
You can address a wide range of research topics from educational management and leadership issues, pedagogy, curriculum development, policy and practice. The key is that you are able to develop doctoral work that has relevance to theory and practice in whatever area you choose.
The EdD is a structured route to doctoral level achievement, with four modules before the research phase. Through the EdD, you’ll combine your expertise in education with your developing research capability to undertake high quality research. The EdD provides you with a vocational and professional doctorate that is better suited to your needs, and that of your employer, than a more traditional PhD.
The initial modular element lasts 18 months, after which you present your formal research plan. You then enter the research phase, which takes a further eighteen months (minimum).
Your extended research investigation must focus on a topic of importance to both you and your professional practice. At its conclusion, you present and defend a thesis in viva voce. EdD students achieve the standards demanded for all doctoral-level work.
EdD classes are limited to between 10 and 20 participants who benefit from our focus on their development and a collaborative learning environment.
Collaborative learning ensures you have many opportunities to benefit from the experiences of others – and to share your own..
Some of our modules
The EdD programme is currently being redeveloped as part of a regular programme of ‘Periodic Review and Revalidation’. The details below are indicative of the revised programme.
- Philosophy and Methodology in Educational Research
This module examines the role of methodology in a professional doctorate. You reviews the approaches, tools and techniques by which you can generate and apply knowledge. The module commences with a consideration of ontology, epistemology and methodology, which provides its focus. The particular methodological schools that characterize educational research are reviewed and critiqued to establish the applicability of each for your work. You then consider a variety of methods for making, analysing and using data in developing a systematic understanding of a field of study in education. You begin the process of conceiving and designing a substantial research project with scholarly integrity.
- Action and Case Research in Education
This module introduces you to the theoretical frameworks and the many approaches to undertaking action research. It is also provides you with opportunities to practice and reflect on the tensions that are likely to occur in adopting an action or case research role in your organization. Over the period of the programme you will also have the opportunity to develop and reflect on your own skills in managing, leading and participating in this type of research project. The module assists you in working both within your particular discipline and in a broader research context. It also provides a platform for consideration of your individual values and the ethics of co-operative enquiry based research.
- Systematic Literature Review
This module introduces you to different theoretical frameworks to literature review. Through encouraging a systematic engagement with a substantive body of relevant literature, you are able to critically analyse and evaluate previous research work. This enables you to development your research problem with reference to relevant ideas in your discipline. It also enables you to synthesize ideas at a high level of understanding and begin to create new knowledge through the development of a conceptual framework relevant to your research problem.
- Educational policy
This modules enables your develop of an active understanding of educational policy. You will be able to engage fully with the ideologies, values and ethical issues that determine educational policies. It also helps you interpret educational policies critically and ethically. And identify and critically evaluate key literature on inclusion, diversity, leadership and higher education, both nationally and internationally. The module will also help you write at doctoral level to disseminate their research findings to the wider education community.
Entry requirements
To apply, you must have relevant professional experience and an MEd or equivalent higher degree.