Doctorate in Education (EdD)
Grow your expertise and put your research skills to work with a Professional Doctorate in Education from University of Stirling.
Key facts
- Award Doctorate
- Start date January 2022, September 2022
- Duration EdD full-time; 36 to 60 months, EdD part-time: 60 to 96 months
- Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Stand-alone modules, Mixture of online and classroom delivery
Overview
Our Doctorate in Education is an ideal development opportunity if you’re a senior education professional seeking to enhance and utilise your research expertise. Whatever your area of education – from schools, colleges and universities to professional, work-based and lifelong learning, or policy development – earning a Professional Doctorate will position you as a leader in your field.
Our Doctorate in Education is tailored to the needs of busy professionals, and combines an excellent grounding in research methods and educational theory with the opportunity to put your research to work in improving professional policy and practice.
You’ll work towards your EdD either full or part-time under the guidance of expert teachers who have helped to secure the University’s reputation in the study of Education.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The EdD will enable you to develop research on your own chosen topics in ways that are deeply connected to important professional interests, practices, policies and impacts. Like the PhD, the EdD meets the requirements for the production of a significant, original and rigorous contribution to the field. Distinctively, the EdD course starts with taught modules before the supervised research phases begin. The taught modules look at theories and paradigms of research and orientations to methodology and inquiry.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Educational research at the University of Stirling had the highest quality of research outputs of any Scottish university, with 100% classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. Our expert teaching team are on hand to introduce you to cutting-edge empirical and theoretical research in a multi-disciplinary and professional environment.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to the degree, you’ll normally have a good honours degree in Education or related subject from a Higher Education institution in the UK, or a degree of equivalent standard from an institution outside the UK. In exceptional cases, you may be considered for the course if you have extensive professional experience in the field. Candidates are expected to have good numeracy skills and a willingness to engage with in-depth statistical analysis.
English language requirements
Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Indicator 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in speaking and listening and distinction in reading and writing, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 105 in reading and writing and 95 in speaking and listening
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall including 38 in reading and writing, and 33 in speaking and listening
If you are from India, Bangladesh, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Refine your Education expertise and gain the skills needed to exact change with a Doctorate in Education.
After completing the six core modules, you will go on under supervision to complete a ‘Professional Practice’ enquiry module before commencing the thesis stage.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
The Doctorate in Education (EdD) is an innovative interdisciplinary course, offered on a flexible full and part-time basis. The course comprises six core modules, which are taught both online and face-to-face. Study of the modules is followed by the conduct of an empirical study focused on an aspect of professional practice and, thereafter, the production of a doctoral thesis of up to 60,000 words.
Candidates not proceeding to the EdD thesis may aim to complete the Master of Science or Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Research.
Students who pass modules EDRP001, ASRP002, ASRP004, EDRP002, ASRP001, ASRP005 and ASRP021 will successfully exit with a Masters.
Students who pass modules EDRP001, ASRP002, ASRP004, EDRP002, ASRP001, ASRP005 will successfully exit with a Postgraduate Diploma.
Modes of Study
|
|
EdD |
MSc |
Diploma |
|
Full time |
3 years min, 5 years max |
30 months |
12 months |
|
Part time |
5 years min, 8 years max |
3 years |
18 months |
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in each course module through assignments approximately 3,000 words in length. The EdD also leads into the production of a thesis (up to 60,000 words) under expert supervision by Education staff from the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| UK students | Overseas students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £16,350 | £46,150 |
| Full time students annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £5,540 | £15,383 |
| Part time students annual fee (charged years 1-5) | £3,270 | £9,230 |
| UK students | Overseas students | |
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £15,565 | £43,945 |
| Full time students annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £5,189 | £14,649 |
| Part time students annual fee (charged years 1-5) | £3,113 | £8,789 |
This fee is charged as an annual course fee. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Doctoral loans
If you're domiciled in England or Wales you may be eligible to apply for a doctoral loan of up to £25,700 from your regional body:
- English students can apply for a loan from Student Finance England.
- Welsh students can apply for a loan from Student Finance Wales.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
91% of Education students at the University of Stirling felt their course has enhanced their employability
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2021
Previous students taking the Doctorate in Education have included school teachers, early years, and Further Education staff, senior leaders in education provisions, educational policy professionals, and professional educators in areas such as medicine, pharmacy, nursing, accountancy, surveying and life sciences. These students have drawn extensively on their newly developed research capacity and original studies to improve their personal, organisational, and wider professional spheres of practice and policy.
- Gain the skills to exact change in professional policy and practice
- Become a leader in your field and join a network of professional experts
- Continue your career as you study and put your growing expertise straight to work
What our students said
Scotland, United Kingdom
Read Alexandra's storyMy work as a college lecturer in a further and higher education college has been greatly benefitted through my learning. I feel more current and up to date in my field and it has challenged me to think more deeply about what I do in my professional practice.
Scotland
Doctorate in Education (EdD)
Read Heather's storyI enjoyed the relation this programme had to my professional practice and that throughout the doctorate journey I was able to influence policy and practice
Scotland
Doctorate in Education (EdD)
Read Elaine's storyThe support I have received during my studies has been outstanding. I know the University of Stirling Faculty of Social Sciences was the right choice for me and would urge others to come and enjoy it too.
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