Program Overview

Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD)

Course Overview

The University of Buckingham EdD is offered to experienced practitioners and postgraduate students who already hold an MA or equivalent.

Start and Duration

• 2025
• Part-time
• Sep, 3 years

Level

• Research

Qualification

• Doctor of Education

Campus

• Online

School

• School of Education

Course Content

The EdD programme at Buckingham brings together an exciting international research community. Our Doctoral Programme in Education promotes and endorses the highest level of knowledge, skills and experiences of leaders in schools and education in the belief that this recognition will impact significantly on practice. An EdD is at the same level as a PhD. Like a PhD the EdD requires students to make a unique contribution to knowledge. A distinguishing element of an EdD is that it is also required to ensure your study results in a tangible impact on practice. This is because the EdD is a practitioner/professional doctorate which means that it is designed for professionals working in Education and that the focus of study should be on the nature of Educational practice.

Every student attends an Induction Programme and then is allocated two supervisors. You have a main supervisor who will be a critical friend through the process, and you will have approximately 12 hours of supervision each year. Students are supported by access to a film library, webinars and by two online study days in November and another two online study days in April. You are expected to attend these for the first three years. The online support guides you through some of the key elements of completing a doctorate, for example, research methodology, engaging with literature and philosophical frameworks.

The Doctorate

• Can be completed in 3.5-6 years part-time – the average length of time to complete is usually 4-5 years.
• Involves itself in the professional practice of educational practitioners.
• Can be achieved by the creation of a portfolio or a traditional thesis.
• Has a highly competitive course fee.
• Is available completely online.

Doctoral Students Will Need to Have Demonstrated

• The creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.
• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.
• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
• A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry. (QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, 2024).

Entry Requirements

• An Honours degree or equivalent and a Master’s Degree
• At least three years’ experience as a practitioner in Education

Course Fees

• Start: Sep 2025
• Type: Part-time (3 Years)
• First Year: £5,600
• Total cost: £16,800

Scholarships and Bursaries

We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.

UK Students

• Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship: Research scholarship that offers outstanding applicants some or all the fees paid for by the University.

International Students

• Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship: Research scholarship that offers outstanding applicants some or all the fees paid for by the University.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to complete an application form and to provide a doctoral research proposal. On application, you will receive a form to be completed. This requires you to consider:

• Your initial intended working title
• The focus (topic) of your research and/or evidence (e.g. leadership, curriculum development, etc.)
• How you feel that this topic may potentially make a unique contribution to knowledge
• An introduction to existing literature reflecting your focus
• How at this point you think you will carry out the work
• The impact you feel this could have on educational practice
• Your motivations for carrying out this work at this time and an introduction to your own educational context.

Your application will be assessed against a number of different criteria. These include:

• The suitability of your topic as one that has the ability to be developed at this level
• Your ability to communicate effectively in English
• The way in which your area of interest relates to your own professional experience and background
• Your academic record to date.

If you do not submit the application as requested and/or it is not within the word count parameters set out your application may be returned. Applications will close in July 2025 and if your application is considered to be suitable at this stage you will be called for interview by early August. At interview you will be expected to present your research proposal.

Applications may be returned for revision. Applicants should have a focus linked to their professional remit and provide evidence that significantly contributes to the application of knowledge that is relevant locally, nationally and internationally.

Before being able to join us, you will need to supply:

• Copy of your degree certificate
• Copy of your Masters certificate
• Copy of your passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
• Head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card

Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.