Professional Doctorate in Education

The EdD is organised in two parts.

The first part, the Taught Stage, takes two years to complete; the second part, the Research Stage, takes three to four years.

In year one, you’ll complete two modules and start working with a supervisor, who will be allocated at the beginning of the course in response to your draft proposal required for entry. The two modules will be taught in four study blocks per year (Friday afternoon and Saturday) to offer you a flexible approach to doctoral study.

In year two, you’ll also complete two modules and continue working with your supervisor on refining your research proposal and submitting the ethics application. Participation in study blocks in years one and two offers you an opportunity to engage in advanced professional development together with your cohort and is a requirement for progressing to the Research Stage. Opportunities to undertake further doctoral training are offered by our Graduate College.

The Research Stage comprises 3-4 years of work on an independent research project of your choice, resulting in 60,000 word doctoral thesis. Your supervisors will offer you support with all aspects of your fieldwork, data analysis and write up, and the preparation for your final viva voce examination.

The Taught Stage includes studying the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information.

• Introduction to Education Research at Doctoral Level
• Methodologies
• Theory and Analysis
• The research Proposal
• Research Stage and Thesis

Your assessment will consist of end-of-module assignments (years one and two) of 6,000 words each, an ethics application and a thesis of 60,000 words.

Assessment throughout foregrounds your professional experience and your growing expertise in education research.

The teaching on the EdD is highly interactive. It’s seminar and workshop-based and offers a high level of support by the supervisors and the programme teaching team.

Our School of Education runs a series of research seminars throughout the academic year, in which staff and postgraduate students present their research.

You’ll be welcome to attend these seminars, and there's the opportunity for you to talk about your own research interests within an informal and supportive setting.

The modules are taught through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, with in-person study blocks taught at our Newton Park campus. You'll have access to a wide range of excellent facilities, including:

• Newton Park library
• Commons building
• Our Virtual Learning Environment
• ASk (Academic Skills).

Dr Agnieszka Bates, Head of Taught Provision

Email: a.bates@bathspa.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1225 875615

Course administrator

Email: pgtadmin@bathspa.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1225 875593

Find a research supervisor.

Course fees

*This course is offered on a part-time basis, and you can study for up to six years. You'll pay a fee for each year of study, and fees are revised on an annual basis.