Professional Doctorate in Education (Educational Enquiry)

The focus on educational enquiry on this course is designed to provide a structured learning experience that enhances doctoral level research skills, the ability to appraise both professional and theoretical areas of interest and critique policy and practice. The learning process is intended to build your knowledge base in your particular area of study, as well as your capacity to contribute to evidence-based practice in your professional area.

This programme is ideal for those moving towards a career in education research or leading research and practice in the workplace.

The programme is mapped over four academic years with participants completing 90 credits each academic year. Part-time students typically take between four and eight years to complete their doctoral studies.

Reflective Development (Portfolio) - 60 credit module over two years

The portfolio provides a means by which Doctor of Education participants reflect on the different aspects of their doctoral work and all the module assignments, as well as any additional evidence are bought together in a single place. This provides a basis for discussion with advisors and supervisors during the programme. The module aims to support critical, reflective practice through a range of independent and collaborative activities in both face to face and digital contexts. The portfolio is also the vehicle for the formative and summative assessment of this module.

Advanced educational research - 60 credit module over 1 year

The module aims to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the range of ontological, epistemological and ontological perspectives in educational research. Participants are encouraged to critically evaluate research paradigms, methods and techniques in order to position themselves as researchers in relation to the research issue and context. You will also develop a range of research skills and justify your ethical stance on the research process. The assessment in this module is in the form of two assignments, which explore your research position and your ability to critique research methodology.

Implementing education enquiry - 60 credit module over 1 year

This module forms a bridge between the taught phase of the course and the thesis module. The focus is on the development of the research question through the analysis and synthesis of the related literature. The first assignment is a literature review, which forms the basis of decisions relating to the design and planning of the educational enquiry pilot. The selection and implementation of educational research methods and the critical, reflective evaluation of the research process is the basis of the second assignment. This takes the form of a presentation outlining the design, implementation and evaluation of the pilot study and viva examination.

Thesis Module - 180 credit module over 2 years

The final year of your doctorate degree features the presentation of a doctoral thesis of up to 40,000 words. During this period you will be working with a supervisory team and be subject to the routine quality procedures of the research community outlined in the University guidelines. There will be a programme of seminar presentations to support participants of the Doctor of Education programme to develop a high standard of presentation skills, build confidence to work collaboratively and share the research outcomes in a range of contexts.