The Moray House School of Education
Postgraduate Study - Research Degrees

The Doctor of Education is a research degree which starts with a taught component providing research training in a broad range of design and method. It is recognised as a professional doctorate by the UK Economic and Social Research Council, and hence

• Students are required to submit a substantial thesis summarising an independent piece of research; this is examined by acknowledged individual experts in the field of the research, normally one external to the university and one internal to it;
• The programme requires students to investigate the relationship between theory and practice, in particular encouraging students to communicate their research findings to both professional and academic audiences;
• Students’ research is supervised by experienced researchers from the School of Education and elsewhere in the university;
• Students are required to engage in dialogue with professionals in their field throughout the process of planning their research, gathering their data, and reporting their results;
• The programme expects students to pay particular attention to the ethical issues which arise in carrying out research on their own professional field.

The Doctorate is aimed primarily at mid-career and senior professionals in education, training and development. This programme is available part-time. It has a professional focus and is comparable with the PhD in terms of scale and rigour.

How is the EdD organised?

The degree is available on a part-time basis only and will normally take between 5 and 6 years to complete. The programme is designed to be stimulating and enriching for professional thinking and practice and its structure and requirements have been planned to take account of the many competing demands on the time and energy of busy professionals.

This is not a distance learning programme. The attendance requirements have been concentrated in short week-long blocks of study in the first two and a half years - one week in January - one in April - one in July - and one in September. This enables participants to focus their study time, to benefit from interaction with academic staff and fellow postgraduates, to attend tutorials and the colloquia, and to make use of the full range of university facilities. In the final phase participants will pursue independent research into an area of their choice informed by the three main themes of the degree - policy, research and practice.

Programme structure (and courses)

Teaching and Learning

The degree is available on a part-time basis only and will normally take between 5 and 6 years to complete. It is not a distance learning course.

The taught components of this degree will be organised as week long blocks, some of which will be timed to coincide with educational vacation periods - one week in January - one in April - one in July - and one in September. During these periods attendance at the University of Edinburgh will be essential. There will be 4 one-week blocks in each of years 1 and 2 and two in year 3. The dates of these blocks will be specified at least one year in advance to assist candidates with their forward planning. Regular meetings with research supervisors will be expected in years 3-5.

The concerns of the programme of study - research, policy and practice - are reflected in the proposed structure of the programme. This is outlined below and is in three distinct phases.

Complementing and running alongside these three stages of the programme there is an integrative strand. One part of this strand consists of traditional tutorial and research supervisory support. The other is a rolling series of colloquia with at least two planned to take place during each year.

Phase 1 (Year 1)

The three courses in this first phase mirror the thematic strands of the programme - research, policy and practice:

• Interpretation and Communication of the Literature of Education
• The Nature of Enquiry
• Education and Public Policy

Phase 2 (Years 2/3)

This phase, taken in the second year of study and part of the third year, starts with:

• Qualitative Data Analysis (with Quantitative Options) and
• Perspectives on Profesionalism and Professional Practice

These two courses are designed to support the enhancement of the students' research skills and conceptual understanding of practice contexts.

After completion of these courses, participants undertake the EdD Thesis Preparation Programme which is intended to help them to focus their research efforts and to produce fully-developed research design proposals that will form the basis of their thesis work. It thus serves as a bridge between the taught phase of the EdD and supervised work on the thesis.

Phase 3 (Years 3/5)

This phase comprises the development and submission of a doctoral research thesis of a length of between 45,000 to 70,000 words, (with students being encouraged to aim for a total of 60,000 to 65,000 words). This will draw either on a research investigation or on a scholarly critique related to a specific professional context. It requires individual work under the supervision of one or more members of staff. In common with the requirements for other doctoral degrees, the EdD thesis would be expected to make a distinct and original contribution to the knowledge of the topic addressed.

The Colloquia

The chief aim of each type of colloquium is to assist the development of a critical appreciation of the connections between academic theories and conceptual perspectives, on the one hand, and on the other the concerns of professional practitioners, managers and policy makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

For what professional groups is this degree designed?
The degree has been designed to offer professionals working in education and related fields the opportunity to pursue studies in their chosen area at a level typical of a PhD. Education is very broadly defined - encompassing nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary levels as well as community education, vocational training and continuing professional development in the private, voluntary and public sectors. It is expected that the participants in the programme will already be well established in their field but seeking professional enrichment and further development of their knowledge, understanding and skills.

Where does this degree stand in relation to a PhD?
This degree is fully equivalent to a PhD. The processes of development of the degree, its content and requirements have been scrutinised by the University of Edinburgh to ensure its equivalence to the PhD and to comparable degrees offered within professional frameworks in other universities.

How do I find out if I am qualified to go on this programme of study?
The basic entrance qualifications are set out in the section on entry requirements. If your qualifications do not match this exactly, or if you have any queries, please contact Dr Charles Anderson who will be able to advise you.

What additionally do I need to do to get accepted on the programme?
You need to provide a 4-5 typed sheets of A4 outlining the proposed theme of the research you would like to undertake as part of the final phase of the degree. This will be regarded as a preliminary outline only at this stage and you will be able to re-focus your research interests later in the programme. If you wish to discuss this with a member of staff before submitting your application please contact Dr Charles Anderson or one of the Course Organisers.

How long will it take me to complete my Doctorate?
The degree has been developed as a part-time programme over a period of 5 to 6 years.

Can I get exemption from any part of the programme?
The programme has been designed to follow a particular structure and sequence and it is expected that all participants will benefit from and contribute to all of its elements. No significant exemptions are therefore considered appropriate.

Do I have to attend the taught blocks?
Yes. There is an attendance requirement associated with all higher degrees. In the EdD for years one and two, and the first half of year three, this is contained in the taught blocks.

I have been away from formal studies for some time - will this pose particular problems for me?
Following registration participants will be offered opportunities to discuss their individual needs with academic advisers and to take part in activities designed to enhance their skills to the necessary levels, for example in the use of information technology, in academic reading, and in study skills.

What level of fees are charged for this programme?
The fees are the same as for other PhD Degrees, calculated on a pro-rata formula to take account of the part-time nature of the Degree.
Current fee levels can be found here
The cost of overnight accommodation and subsistence during the teaching blocks have also to be borne by participants. Brochures detailing a range of nearby residential facilities will be made available.

Is residential attendance at the blocks absolutely necessary?
Attendance at all the teaching and tutorial sessions is necessary, and some sessions may be scheduled to take place during the evening. However, overnight stay away from home is not essential if you live within commuting distance.

What happens if my circumstances change and for some reason I cannot complete the five years of this programme?
For those who satisfactorily complete the requirements for phases 1 and 2, the Board of Examiners may in special circumstances recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Research, Policy and Practice.

Entry requirements / How to apply

In order to gain entry to the programme, applicants would normally be expected to have either:

• a good undergraduate honours degree, or documented evidence of equivalent professional achievement (e.g. in the form of authorship of substantial reports);
  or
• above-average performance on an appropriate award-bearing programme at Master’s level to the equivalent of 180SM credits;
  or
• a Master’s level award in an appropriate field of study (e.g. in education or the social sciences).

As part of the application process, you are asked to submit a preliminary outline of the proposed theme for the thesis component of the programme (4-5 typed sheets of A4). It is understood, however, that in the course of the degree the focus of a candidate's research interest may develop and change and the formal proposal for the thesis topic submitted at a later date may consequently be considerably altered.

Advice on writing the outline can be found here

Applicants who wish to discuss their entry qualifications or research proposal with staff prior to their formal application should contact Dr Charles Anderson.

Note: Applications should normally be submitted by the end of August

As with all programmes at this level, the University reserves the right to decide the details of the commencement of the annual intakes.

Candidates submitting their draft proposal after the end of October 2009 may find that there is not enough time to revise it satisfactorily for entry in January 2010.

Programme Requirements:

Information Technology: It is essential that participants have ready access to a networked computer when off campus.

The Teaching Blocks: There are ten one-week blocks of structured teaching and learning activities in years 1 to 3 and attendance at the University of Edinburgh during these parts of the programme is mandatory. The activities planned during these periods are a vital component of the experiences of the participants, not only giving them the opportunity to benefit directly from the expertise of staff and visiting speakers, but also laying the foundations on which effective post graduate study, peer group support and tutorial relationships will build. At these times, assistance in the development of specialised skills and access to the range of University equipment and facilities will also be available.

All courses will have recommended reading, some of which should be undertaken before the be ginning of the taught block.

Further information

  Current EdD Students

Further details about the EdD programme can be obtained from:

The Postgraduate Office
College of Humanities and Social Science
The University of Edinburgh
David Hume Tower (First Floor)
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9JX

Telephone 0131 651 3122
Email educationpg@ed.ac.uk

or

Dr Charles Anderson
The Moray House School of Education
Paterson's Land
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh EH8 8AQ

Telephone 0131 651 6656
Email C.D.B.Anderson@ed.ac.uk