Program Overview

Professional Doctorate of Education, EdD

Introduction

Gain a professional doctorate whilst working and transform your professional practice through robust, rigorous research. Our programme provides a solid foundation for undertaking a practice-focused doctoral research study.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: Blended Learning
• Degree Qualification: EdD
• Duration: 72 months
• Study Mode: Part Time
• Start Month: October

The Professional Doctorate of Education (EdD) is a distinctive two-part programme that offers you the opportunity to develop your capacity as a reflexive researcher before moving on to complete your own original doctoral thesis.

The programme is ideal for anyone working in any part of the education sector (school, university, museum) as well as anyone working in education-related services or disciplines such as health and social care. A professional doctorate is a great way to develop your expertise in a particular area of your practice and can enhance your employability.

Our EdD combines taught and research-based learning. Part One, taught over Years 1 and 2, includes four core courses (see below), each designed to help your advance your understanding of your own practice and of research. Part Two, across years 3-6, is focused on developing your own original doctoral-level research. This element is facilitated through a co-constructive approach with a supervisory team with expertise in your specific area.

This programme structure is ideal for you if you are returning to academic study after some time or are interested in thinking through some different research options before committing to a doctoral topic for your thesis.

Our Doctor of Education (EdD) can be studied completely online. So you can be working and living anywhere in the World and work with us at the University of Aberdeen.

Study days in October and February introduce the core learning for each module. These study days are offered in-person or online, although students are strongly encouraged to attend in person. These allow you to connect and collaborate with other doctoral students and academics.

What You'll Study

Degree Content

• Compulsory Courses
  • Stage 1
    • Module 1: Identifying and Articulating Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
    • Module 2: Contextualising Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
    • Module 3: Researching Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
    • Module 4: Analysing and impacting Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
  • Stage 2
    • Doctoral Thesis (Credits: 360)

Your doctoral thesis is an individual piece of original research. You will conduct this under the supervision of a team of academic staff members. The thesis will demonstrate your ability to undertake and complete coherent pieces of research which would merit publication. The thesis will be approximately 50,000 words and examined as a written text and orally through a viva.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (normally 2.1 at least) or MEd (or equivalent) or MRes (or equivalent) and a minimum of 3 years relevant educational professional experience.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

• CV: an up-to-date CV/Resumé
• Degree Transcript: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
• Personal Statement: a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
• Reference x 2: two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Why Study Professional Doctorate of Education?

• Undertake doctoral-level studies focused on the context of your specialism.
• Develop new knowledge or applications to impact your professional practice.
• Received support and guidance from experienced educational professionals.
• Flexibility to study anywhere in the world.

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.