Doctor of Education (Research)

In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect. While we work to update our systems, you may see both names used in the information we provide.

Are you an education professional who would like to develop your knowledge and research skills at the doctoral level while focusing on the issues and challenges that arise from your practice? The Doctor of Education (EdD) programme is designed to meet this need, with taught modules that prepare you for independent, in-depth research into a specific area of interest.

The Doctor of Education course was the first of its kind to be introduced at the University of Greater Manchester, and it has become a popular route for education professionals to obtain qualifications at the highest level. In a professional doctorate, it is expected that you will research some aspect of your own professional context, although this need not necessarily be your own workplace. The programme differs from the traditional PhD in that it is in two parts. Stage one, the taught element, covers the development and submission of your research proposal. Stage two is a programme of directed and independent study leading to the production and defence of your own thesis.

Our welcoming team of experienced, professionally and academically qualified staff will help you understand how you can align your research topic of interest to current research in relevant fields and apply it to your own professional practice and context. The EdD provides you with an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your ability to implement a research project and opens up opportunities for higher education lecturing and/or research posts.

The doctorate takes six years part-time. During the first two years, you will study the taught modules and begin preparation for the research phase. You will then spend four years carrying out your research, analysing your data and writing your thesis. Your final year will be dedicated to ‘writing up’ and submitting your thesis. If you need more time, you can apply for it.

We do not offer a distance education option for the EdD, and all students must be resident in the UK. You should expect to attend the University every month for seminars and supervision.

Visit our website

Information about the modules offered as part of this course is available on the University of Greater Manchester's website.

https://greatermanchester.ac.uk/course/EDU038-P-UOB-PX

Details of the learning activities and assessment methods for this course are available on the University of Greater Manchester's website.