Course summary

Students work across a diverse range of education sectors including higher education, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, schools, colleges, and early years settings. The EdD enables students to both challenge and enhance their practice through engagement with relevant theory, policy and empirical research. There are taught sessions in groups and individual one-to-one supervisions in addition to visiting international professors and fellows who enhance provision. The EdD, which is equivalent in level and has equal status with the PhD, has two phases, the taught phase and the thesis phase. The taught phase introduces students to methodological, political, philosophical, sociological and epistemological concepts that will underpin issues that emerge from the professional context. This taught phase immerses students in a supportive community and comprises four modules – three with academic content and one focused on research methods. The entire programme has four cross-cutting themes: Leadership, Inclusion, Sustainability and Childhood, Youth, Families and Community. During the thesis phase students work on a subject area of their choice and are supported by two supervisors. On successful completion, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the conceptual frameworks and policy background relevant to their chosen focus of study (e.g. inclusive education, educational leadership or other aspect of education), and show a critical review of alternative models.

• Develop strategic thinking and critical analytical thought to improve and guide their own, and others’, practice.