Are you an education professional who would like to develop your knowledge and research skills at doctoral level, while maintaining a focus on the issues and challenges that arise from your practice? The Doctor of Education (EdD) programme is designed to meet this need, with taught modules which prepare you for independent, in-depth research into a specific area of interest.

Key information

Award:

EdD

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

48 months

Location:

The University of Bolton

Start date:

18/01/2021, 20/09/2021

Course Details

The Doctor of Education course was the first of its kind to be introduced at the University and it has become a popular route for education professionals to obtain qualifications at the highest level. In a professional doctorate, it is expected that you will carry out research into some aspect of your own professional context, although this need not necessarily be your own workplace. The programme differs from the traditional PhD in that it is in two parts. Stage one, the taught element, covers the development and submission of your research proposal. Stage two is a programme of directed and independent study leading to the production and defence of your own critical commentary.

Our welcoming team of experienced, professionally and academically qualified staff will help you to understand how you can align your research topic of interest to current research in relevant fields, and apply it to your own professional practice and context. The EdD provides you with an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your ability to implement a research project and opens up opportunities for higher education lecturing and/or research posts.

If your inquiry into your practice and your professional activities can be aligned, it may be possible for you to study full-time while you are working. The full-time route takes four years. As a full-time student you will: (1) Study the taught modules in the first year together with the part-time students (but you will need to do more intensive reading and preparation for the research phase than your part-time colleagues); (2) spend two years carrying out your research, analysing your data and writing your thesis (as opposed to four years in the part-time option); (3) have one year ‘writing up’, during which you can submit your thesis. If you need more time you can apply for it.

We do not offer a distance education option for the EdD, and all students must be resident in the UK. You should expect to attend the University on a monthly basis for seminars and supervision.

Highlights

The EdD is a high-level, nationally recognised qualification that is well respected in Education, and compares exactly in status to a PhD.
Professionals who hold a University of Bolton EdD take back to their organisations a greater knowledge and a deeper understanding of today's diverse educational world, gained through a research-driven programme.
We will work with you to mould your EdD so that it complements your employment and interests within the research framework.
The research (thesis) phase requires you to design, implement and disseminate an original research study. You will be strongly encouraged to bring your own education-related issues to the table as the basis of your research.
For many students, this partly taught doctorate offers a more effective route to a doctoral qualification than the independent research project involved in a traditional PhD.

Key Features

Our EdD emphasizes your development as an independent researcher, oral and written communication, and understanding of contemporary educational assessment and research. You will examine a specific area of interest in detail via a thesis, and be encouraged to develop your research, analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills to a very high level.
We will support you to develop a thorough understanding of research methods so you can make informed research decisions and become skilled in shaping learning materials towards your own specialism. This makes the course relevant to specialists in every sector of education, from early years through to higher education.
Using collaborative learning methods, you will be encouraged to work with other course members and your tutors as co-developers of knowledge, drawing from work-based experience to share best practice. You will also have the opportunity to develop a strong working relationship with your fellow students and tutors before you embark on your research phase.
The course is designed to fit around your current employment commitments and responsibilities. Classes are usually held monthly, on Saturdays, and include seminars, face-to-face teaching and online activities.
For your thesis, you will work with a named supervisor - your Director of Studies. Your supervisor will guide you through to submission and the oral examination.