Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Doctorate of Education (EdD) is a professional doctoral degree aimed at those who have been working in the education sector for a number of years. It is comparable to a traditional PhD in terms of academic rigour but is characterised by its professional orientation and modular structure.

Research Opportunities

The EdD degree comprises 180 credits of taught core and optional modules and a 50-60,000-word thesis. The 180 taught credits take one year full-time and two years part-time.

Full-time

Full-time students will attend a variety of taught modules through the week and the occasional Saturday. Sessions will comprise elements of lecture, workshop and seminar. Some modules will include Scottish teachers learning alongside full-time students, other modules and EdD students will be taught as a single cohort.

Year 1

• Semester 1: Methods of enquiry, literature & scholarship
• Semester 1: Choice of optional or subject specific pathway class(es)
• Semester 2: Choice of optional or subject specific pathway class(es)
• Semester 2: Advanced research methods & proposal

Years 2 & 3

• Thesis (supervised by two supervisors matched to your study area)

Part-time

The majority of part-time students who undertake the EdD continue to work full-time. The part-time programme has been specifically designed to give a level of flexibility that facilitates part-time study. The core modules are taught on-campus on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. The timing of the optional modules is more varied but is focused around evening and weekends.

Year 1

• Semester 1: Methods of enquiry, literature and scholarship
• Semester 2: Choice of optional or subject specific pathway class(es)

Year 2

• Semester 1: Choice of optional or subject specific pathway class(es)
• Semester 2: Advanced research methods & proposal

Years 3, 4 & 5

• Thesis (supervised by two supervisors matched to your study area)

Support and Development

Opportunities for shared learning with students engaged in MSc, MPhil, PhD programmes of study and EdD students from the range of cohorts will be encouraged through an invitation to participate in the Research Skills Seminar programme and course conferences. Students will also be encouraged to use email contact and electronic discussion fora to ask each other to comment on their attempts to construct and explore arguments.

Specialisms

The EdD degree offers several specialisms, including:

• Digital Technologies
• Philosophy with Children
• Supporting Teacher Learning
• Inclusive Education
• Philosophy and Culture
• Educational Leadership
• Autism
• Early Years Pedagogue
• Bilingual Education

Digital Technologies

Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning (Digital Education) harnesses the latest innovations in the field of Educational Technologies aiming at engaging students with instructional design practices using digital technologies.

Modules

• Technology Enhanced Learning: Theory & Practice
• Instructional Design and Technology
• Digital Media for Learning

Philosophy with Children

This is the only course of its kind in the UK. It is for anyone who wants to facilitate practical philosophy with children and adults. No prior knowledge or experience of education or philosophy is required.

Modules

• Introduction to Philosophy and Philosophical Practice
• Philosophy with Children: Theory
• Philosophy with Children: Facilitation

Supporting Teacher Learning

The course is aimed at those involved in the support of teaching professional learning at all stages of a teacher’s career.

Modules

• How Teachers Learn
• Contemporary Contexts for Teacher Learning and Teachers' Work
• Supporting Professional Learning in the Workplace

Inclusive Education

This class is designed for those who teach, or who might in the future teach children or young people with additional support needs.

Modules

• Understanding Inclusive Education
• Providing Effective Educational Support
• Working Together in Educational Settings

Philosophy and Culture

The module aims to enable students to identify, understand, and critically reflect on the ways the cultural sphere shapes and influences the (trans)formation of the self.

Modules

• Philosophy of Technology & Education
• Education & Self-Formation in Cultural Contexts

Educational Leadership

The course will be delivered by a high-quality team of staff, including experts in their fields of study with experience of leadership in educational settings.

Modules

• Leadership for Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice
• Research Methods & Reasoning
• Leadership for School Improvement
• Contexts for Leadership
• Conceptions of Leadership
• Leadership for Learning

Autism

The course provides a critical understanding of the conceptual frameworks relevant to understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Modules

• Conceptual Frameworks in Autism
• The Spectrum of Autism
• Responding to the Impact of Autism: Approaches and Interventions
• Research Methods & Reasoning
• Dissertation

Early Years Pedagogue

The course is designed for those who work with children in the early years.

Modules

• Taking Action: Child, Family & Community Efficacy
• Creating Stimulating Learning Environments: Indoors & Out
• Listening to Children & Hearing their Voices
• The Connected Child: Early Child Development
• Leading in a Time of Change
• Child-Centred & Child-Focused Approaches to Practitioner Research
• Dissertation

Fees and Funding

Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.

Annual Revision of Fees

Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.

Fees for 2024/25

• Scotland: £4,786
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £4,786
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £18,050

Additional Costs

• Course materials: Printing is provided free in the Graduate School. Most books can be borrowed from the library or by inter-library loan. Students may decide to buy a limited number of key text which they may be able to purchase second hand.
• Placements & field trips: When required, from £50 to £300 per year, though some assistance is provided from the Faculty's Research Support Fund.
• International students: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs.
• Other costs: thesis binding - approximately £30, pen drives - approximately £20

Entry Requirements

Applicants will normally have a Masters Degree in Education (or closely related area). Exceptionally, a candidate with substantive professional experience may be considered for admission provided they can demonstrate understanding of and a capacity to engage with the different dimensions of educational research.

English Language Requirements

Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 in writing and reading required).

Accreditation of Prior Learning

There are opportunities to apply for accreditation of prior learning for Masters-level modules taken in the last five years.