Course overview
Modular based study enables group work as well as individual support from a dedicated Director of Studies. You take a critical view of the underpinnings of practice and situate it in a study of research philosophies and methods, extending previous experience to equip you with the knowledge and ability to make an original contribution to knowledge.
Whilst some educational doctorate provision provides a disparate programme of modules covering aspects of sociology, psychology, education, research methods and health studies for example, this programme focuses on a core of reflection on the combination of research and educational praxis, remaining flexible in its assessment strategy to enable you to focus on your own area of interest. It positions you as a creative agent, able to use academic study and practice to inform each other and synthesise the two to develop responses to challenges and opportunities in practice.
Top reasons to study this course
> Your course team has both professional and academic expertise, experience of conducting publicly funded research, publishing in international journals and producing respected monographs and textbooks.
> Personalised supervision over the length of the course from a Director of Studies.
> Group learning and peer support from other postgraduate students enriches and broadens your learning experience.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Educational Research: Practice and Planning
This module equips you with the knowledge and skills you require to undertake systematic primary research in the field of education as part of your Advanced Independent Study module.
To this end the module explores and questions the uses and applications of research methodologies, data collection methods, data analysis methods and issues of ‘good practice’ including reliability, validity and ethics.
There will be 32 hours of tutor support available through workshops, project supervision etc. but the module will emphasise your autonomy in determining, in a reflexive manner, appropriate decision making and independent learning.
Research Ethics, Planning and Presenting
This module is the final preparation necessary to commence your doctoral thesis, ensuring you have a rigorous approach to any relevant ethical issues and are able to present a coherent and manageable plan of data collection and analysis. There will be workshops to introduce you to the processes for ethical approval, discuss the requirements for your final research proposal and provide peer and tutor feedback on draft presentations; additional support will be offered by the Director of Studies in tutorials.
Using the Literature to Inform Educational Research
You have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to undertake a literature search and plan an appropriate literature review, and to begin to develop your understanding of relevant contemporary research and possible gaps in knowledge.
and one optional module (part-time students)
Combining Professional and Academic Practice
You explore the role of professionalism in education. Through the problematisation of an educational issue of relevance to you, negotiated with the tutor, you will apply learning from contemporary academic theory and research to consider how the application of alternative approaches to the issue can enhance practice.
Philosophy and Stance in Educational Inquiry
This module provides the option of beginning doctoral studies with a focus on the philosophical basis of your approach to both education and knowledge. Situating you as a creator of knowledge from the outset, the focus in this module, which is an alternative to Combining Academic and Professional Practice as a first module, will be on examining and articulating your ontology as both a researcher and an educator, leading to an understanding and articulation of your approach to epistemology. It is a useful starting point on the programme for those students who wish to start their studies with an examination of the philosophical basis of their future educational enquiry.
Full-time students
Philosophy and Stance in Educational Inquiry
This module provides the option of beginning doctoral studies with a focus on the philosophical basis of your approach to both education and knowledge. Situating you as a creator of knowledge from the outset, the focus in this module, which is an alternative to Combining Academic and Professional Practice as a first module, will be on examining and articulating your ontology as both a researcher and an educator, leading to an understanding and articulation of your approach to epistemology. It is a useful starting point on the programme for those students who wish to start their studies with an examination of the philosophical basis of their future educational enquiry.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
This programme places you as a researcher-practitioner at the centre of your own learning process. Your research-based learning and your identity as an academic-professional educator is the focus of a journey facilitated by a consistent lead tutor from the onset of the programme.
This takes place alongside a cohort-based approach to ensure the peer learning and support that is highly valued by students undertaking professional doctorates, enhanced further by some shared delivery with our MA Education courses.
How you are assessed
The initial modules all provide 60 D level credits and focus on the practice of researching education practice and theory in a creative and critical way. Each requires assignments of around 6,000 words, and are based around:
• successful creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship;
• the ability to continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level.
All the modules enable you to engage with issues of importance to educational practice and research in a manner that gives you responsibility for the focus of study and assessment, as is appropriate at this advanced level of study.
Module assessment strategies make use of your choice of study area to ensure that the subject of assessment is relevant to your own and/or your institution’s professional practice. This ensures an appropriate combination of academic study and professional focus as well as the understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of educational theory and practice.
The course culminates in production of a thesis of around 55,000 words assessed by a viva voce.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2.2 honours degree or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience.
If your degree was awarded outside the UK, you must also meet the University's minimum English language requirements.
If you are an international applicant who needs a student visa to study in the UK, please check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. We also provide pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet the minimum English language requirement.
This course is usually studied part-time alongside a professional role in education.. However, if you would like to study full-time, please discuss this during your interview.
You are expected to attend an informal interview with up to two members of the course team. This can be face-to-face or online.
You should be prepared to answer questions about your:
- educational and research experience
- views on the relationship of research to practice
- ideas for original research
- stance on ontology and epistemology
- ability to communicate clearly and accurately in standard English.
The interview is also your opportunity to ask staff members any questions about the course, support available, IT requirements and more.
Your application is considered against our ability to satisfactorily support the area of study or approach to research you are likely to pursue.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
Employability
Career opportunities
The course is designed to enable you to consolidate and build upon previous learning and experience in your working role. It is a key to new opportunities in education, whichever setting or sector you currently operate within.
It is intended to create close links between the programme activities and content and on-going professional practice. You are likely to have already undergone considerable training and professional development but it is expected that this qualification will enhance your development even further.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
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Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
