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Overview
The EdD is a doctoral level qualification designed for professionals working within the education sector. It provides a structured programme of advanced scholarship and research which is of equivalent level to the traditional PhD, but which is orientated towards professional practice.
The course is aimed at professionals across a range of educational contexts – including teachers, lecturers, learning support professionals, trainers, educational consultants and early years practitioners.
On this course you can:
- Undertake a structured doctoral programme
- Engage in explicit reflection on professional knowledge and practice
- Experience peer learning and networking opportunities afforded by the cohort approach
Why study a Professional Doctorate in Education?
Discover more about our structured doctoral programme, tailored specifically for professionals working within the education sector.
Dr Mat Round: I chose to do an EdD rather than a PhD, in part because I was working full time as a Deputy Head in a secondary school at the time, and I really wanted to have that structure of the taught phase, leading to the research phase, rather than just have the research phase stretching over so many years.
And the EdD gave me the structure and the support that I needed as an educationally connected professional.
Dr Nikki Fairchild: One of the key features of the EdD is to develop your skills as a researcher.
The taught phase springboards you into the research phase.
We will build a specialist team around your research question and aims.
Their role is to guide you through each different step of the project itself.
From developing your literature review to collecting your data to analysing your data.
The culmination of your EdD is your thesis.
In this piece of work you will actually be able to detail your key contributions to knowledge and practice.
Dr Mat Round: It does change you. It is a transformational process.
It makes you examine the world in a very different way.
Really critically interrogate absolutely everything that you come into contact with in a way that I didn't do when I was a Master's student.
Kate Howell: So far on the EdD, the aspect of the course I've enjoyed the most is reading.
It's not something I thought that I would enjoy the most.
But actually reading about all of the research that's out there and actually absorbing it and then being able to take that and use that into my own research is just so exciting.
I can't wait to get started on the actual research phase and just see how and where that takes me.
Dr Jessica Massonnie: The ideal applicant is a professional working in education who would like to further inform their practice with academic research.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss your ideas or your circumstances before you apply.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsBenefits of an EdD
Routes that Prof Doc graduates have pursued after successful completion of their studies include:
- Lecturer
- Head teacher
- Educational consultant
- Researcher
Entry requirements
An upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience, and demonstration of the ability to study at postgraduate level (60 level 7 credits, for example a PgCert, or equivalent). Applicants must be professionally engaged in the field of education in a way that enables them to achieve the programme learning outcomes. All applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0. If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
-
Home/CI part-time students: £3,400 p/a*
- EU part-time students: £3,400 p/a* (including Transition Scholarship)
- International part-time students: £9,050 p/a*
*All fees are subject to annual increase.
This course is eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan.
Modules
The taught element of the programme is completed over two years and focuses on developing the knowledge and skills to enable you to successfully complete a doctoral level research project.
On successful completion of the taught phase and submission of a research proposal, you will be assigned a supervisory team to support you in the completion of your doctoral thesis.
What you'll study
Core modules
You'll assess your own emerging researcher identity, taking into account your research expertise, credibility, ethics and leadership.
You'll scrutinise professionalism theory through lenses of equity, collaboration and social responsibility, and identify personalised learning goals to improve your critical analysis, academic communication skills, research design, research literacy and more.
Develop a growth mindset and self-advocacy abilities essential for the doctoral journey.
You’ll cover philosophical, theoretical, methodological and ethical perspectives in educational research and showcase a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be used in educational contexts.
You’ll be expected to think about your own positioning as a researcher as well as to develop an understanding of research methods that will contribute to your doctoral thesis.
You’ll develop a two-part portfolio that will include an ethics application and research plan for conducting a small primary research project.
Core modules
The aim is to familiarise you with the dissemination and publication of research in academic and professional contexts, including journal articles and conference papers and to introduce other approaches, such as social media.
You’ll identify and refine appropriate research questions to underpin your project, before critically evaluating the relevant academic and professional field of study to identify gaps in the research.
You’ll critique the research methodology and methods for your project, and identify and appraise the ethical issues relating to your proposed project, before producing a formal research proposal.
Core modules
You’ll work closely with your supervisors to develop your 50,000 word doctoral thesis over the course of 2-4 years.
Core modules
You’ll work closely with your supervisors to develop your 50,000 word doctoral thesis over the course of 2-4 years.
Core modules
You’ll work closely with your supervisors to develop your 50,000 word doctoral thesis over the course of 2-4 years.
Core modules
You’ll work closely with your supervisors to develop your 50,000 word doctoral thesis over the course of 2-4 years.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Teaching and assessment
The taught element of the course (year 1 and year 2) is delivered through workshops held on campus and through online discussions. The programme of the workshops includes seminars led by the course team and opportunities for interactive group work, to ensure you're supported to complete the assessments of the taught phase.
Workshops on campus take place on Friday afternoons and Saturdays in October and February. You'll also have access to our online learning platform, Moodle, which contains relevant links and resources and will enable discussions to continue between workshops. You'll also have a personal tutor to support you in the completion of your assessments.
The research element of the course (following validation of the two years of the taught phase) is based on independent research led under the supervision of experienced staff members. Additional research training opportunities are provided by our Graduate School.
You'll continue to have access to our library facilities, library support, study rooms and societies throughout the year.
How you're assessed
There is a wide variety of different assessments aimed at integrating academic knowledge and professional practice, including:
- a reflective practice assignment
- a small scale research project
- a portfolio demonstrating suitable dissemination and impact strategies
- a research proposal
- a thesis viva voce examination
Apply
How to apply
Before you start your application, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:
- A research proposal and personal statement
- Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
- Proof of a relevant postgraduate degree with at least 60 credits having been completed
- Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should ideally be an academic reference
- Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
- An up-to-date copy of your CV
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.