Course summary
On this course, you’ll gain a deep understanding and awareness of what it means to be a professional in an educational setting. You'll have the opportunity to engage with educational research, focussing on the areas that interest you. You'll build advanced specialist research skills and critical analysis skills. You'll also have the space and time to reflect on your academic writing. You will be able to make use of academic support and guidance to advance your writing with a view to publishing academic articles. You'll also become an independent, reflective and effective educational researcher. You'll carry out relevant research - creating new knowledge that will contribute to the field of education.
Modules
Compulsory modules Writing for Academic Practice You'll have the support and guidance to establish your writing skills at a doctoral level. You'll investigate: Aspects of doctoral discourse How to write a literature review. You’ll gain academic editing and reviewing skills, and then apply your knowledge to move towards academic publication. Educational Theory, Professionalism and Practice You'll examine educational theories and theoretical frameworks and their use in doctoral research. You'll start to consider the contribution of your thesis to professional practice. You'll also have guidance and support to critique selected theoretical approaches. And you'll clarify your research aims, identifying research frameworks for your thesis. You'll develop your field of expertise, building a sense of your voice as you emerge as a scholar. Preparing your Research Proposal In Year 1, you'll collate the knowledge and experience you gain from the taught modules and relate these to the development of your thesis proposal. In Year 2, you'll move theoretical ideas into practice and gain insights into developing the research project that will inform your thesis. You'll have the opportunity to reflect on and consider the issues you may face when devising educational research with a range of participants and stakeholders. Year 2 Paradigms, Methodologies and Research Methods On this module you'll: Develop a critical understanding of educational research. Review research paradigms for enquiries into educational practice. Progress specialist research skills. You'll have the opportunity to create, trial and use research tools, learning how successful they are in addressing your research questions. And you'll also assess what you've learnt for your thesis. You'll gain an advanced critical understanding of research paradigms, methodologies and methods. Years 3, 4 and 5 Thesis You'll have two supervisors to support and guide you as you undertake your research and write your thesis. Your thesis will be about 60,000 words in length and will focus on a specialist area of your choice. When writing your thesis you'll have regular support from your supervisors and also through thesis workshops with other EdD students. Your thesis will involve professionally relevant research which creates new knowledge and contributes to professional knowledge in the educational field.
Assessment method
On the course you'll develop a critical understanding of social research. You'll advance your academic writing and build the skills to become an independent researcher. In your first year you'll build your knowledge of educational theories and research. You'll have the support and guidance to write at a doctoral level. You'll also start to focus your expertise and prepare for your research project. In your second year you'll focus on developing your research skills and using the knowledge and experience you've gained so far to develop the proposal for your thesis. Throughout the course you'll work with fellow students and the academic team. You'll develop relationships through your research project with stakeholders and participants. Over the final years of the course you'll work on your thesis focussing on a specialist area that interests you. You'll have support and guidance from your two supervisors. Your thesis will make a valuable contribution to knowledge in the field of education.
How to apply
International applicants
An IELTS score of 7 is required for those students whose first language is not English and who have not studied for their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in English. Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Entry requirements
You should normally have at least two years’ experience in a relevant professional area a good Master's degree (usually merit or distinction) from a recognised university You will need to provide an extract from your dissertation or an equally substantial piece of academic writing a statement in support of your application (1,000 words max) which should indicate: possible areas of research for your thesis. This should indicate the broad area of enquiry (e.g. assessment practices in early years). We would not expect you to specify a defined research question at this stage. any particular research methods or approaches that you would be interested in employing (or of which you have prior experience) any wider theoretical or conceptual perspectives on educational research that you would be interested to explore why you want to join the EdD programme how you feel that it will enhance your professional development.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £3250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £3250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £3250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £3250 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
Provider information
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsy Lane
Headington
Oxford
OX3 0BP