Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) (Research)

The University of Buckingham is:

• As pioneers of the two-year degree, we offer a condensed version of the traditional three-year degree, meaning you can gain a full honours degree and complete your studies a whole year earlier. Alternatively, you can complete both your undergraduate and master’s degree with us in just three years: saving you time and money.

The EdD programme at Buckingham brings together an exciting international research community. Our Doctoral Programme in Education promotes and endorses the highest level of knowledge, skills and experiences of leaders in schools and education in the belief that this recognition will impact significantly on practice. An EdD is at the same level as a PhD. Like a PhD the EdD requires students to make a unique contribution to knowledge. A distinguishing element of an EdD is that it is also required to ensure your study results in a tangible impact on practice. This is because the EdD is a practitioner/professional doctorate which means that it is designed for professionals working in Education and that the focus of study should be on the nature of Educational practice.

Every student attends an Induction Programme and then is allocated two supervisors. You have a main supervisor who will be a critical friend through the process, and you will have approximately 12 hours of supervision each year. Students are supported by access to a film library, webinars and by two online study days in November and another two online study days in April. You are expected to attend these for the first three years. The online support guides you through some of the key elements of completing a doctorate, for example, research methodology, engaging with literature and philosophical frameworks.

Doctoral Students will need to have demonstrated:

• The creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.

• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.

• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.

• A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.

(QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, 2024).