Education in its broadest sense
Our Doctor of Education (EdD) has a broad appeal to those working within the field of education who wish to develop their skills in relation to their professional practice.
Academic rigour and expertise
Our online Doctor of Education (EdD) programme is delivered by research active academics and supervisors who have expertise across a broad variety of educational spheres and regularly publish their work in leading journals. The Doctor of Education will both support and challenge your thinking and perceptions based on the latest thinking and research within the field.
The programme centres on the cutting-edge educational research for which the University is renowned in the following areas:
Our staff conduct influential studies on a range of topics from early years to adult learning, and we provide consultancy for government, schools and the wider education sector. This means your learning will be underpinned by innovative ideas which are changing the face of the education professions.
Research with real impact
This is an intellectually challenging programme which will stimulate your professional thinking. We will equip you to undertake a substantial, robust research project in the context of your own practice.
Directly relevant to your working role, your independent study enables you to create and interpret new professional knowledge, support innovative approaches and improve quality. It yields significant benefits for your organisation and your own potential for further career development.
Structured for success
The first two years of the programme are designed to build your skills and confidence to engage in doctoral level study and to research your professional field. Individual tutorials offer essential guidance to steer your progress and thought-provoking seminar groups enable you to share experiences with fellow students from a wide range of backgrounds. This provides a firm foundation for your independent research during years three onwards as you develop your thesis with the support of a team of supervisors.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
The teaching and research supervision phase are delivered entirely online.
The two years taught phase of the programme combine self-study with live seminars to enhance your learning. You will be given access to the learning materials each week to complete the activities at your own pace.
To enhance your learning experience, you will have access to a broad range of learning resources such as discussion boards, interactive Padlets, and live tutorials. Through the use of Blackboard Ultra, you will asynchronously engage with a variety of study materials, seminars and tutorials.
How you are assessed
On the Doctor of Education programme, your academic skills will be formatively and summatively assess through a range of different tasks. These tasks are carefully designed to ensure you have the necessary ability to produce a thesis of doctoral standard and length. You will also have the opportunity to articulate and disseminate your professional expertise.
Over the course of the whole programme, you will undertake the following:
- An analysis of the nature of practitioner research within professional practice
- A reflective literature review focused on your area of study
- An extended essay justifying your chosen educational research methodology for your professional research. You will consider research ethics and an appreciation of contemporary philosophical debates about educational research
- A viva voce examination of a professionally researched thesis
Pace of Study
The EdD is a part-time online programme which can be completed in a minimum of 4 years, however typically it would take 6-8 years to complete. The maximum registration period is 8 years.
To achieve your Doctorate of Education, you will need to complete one taught 60-credit module in year one, one taught 60-credit module year two and an Independent Research for Practice module (420 credits) from year three onwards.
The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. The postgraduate taught 60-credit modules are therefore taken over the whole academic year (three trimesters) and we recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete 20-credits per 10-week trimester. During the independent research phase of the EdD, you can schedule your work around your calendar to complete the programme at your own pace within the maximum 8-year registration.
Our students choose this programme as a crucial part of their personal and professional development. You will gain impressive skills in research, analysis, critical and strategic thinking which will enhance your performance in your current role while paving the way to further career opportunities. The doctorate is often a stepping stone from a mid- career education professional to a more senior teaching and leadership roles such as, university discipline lead, senior lecturer, education consultant, director of training and development, senior curriculum specialist and instructional designer, and education policy analyst.
Utilise our Careers and Employment Service
Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for three years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.
You will usually hold a masters award in an appropriate academic field, and have significant experience of work within your professional practice (usually two years minimum).
You should have high levels of competence in English. If necessary, this should be demonstrated by IELTS 7.
Your Research Proposal (containing the following detail):
- A working title
- One or more research questions
- An indication of what the general topic area and main aim/s of your study is/are
- The reasons why your proposal will contribute to knowledge (theory, practice, policy, etc.). The proposal should show there is a genuine gap in the literature, as the doctorate study will need to be genuine, original, and contribute to the area you are proposing to study
- An explanation if there is a problem / gap in your proposed subject of study
- The benefits that your proposed research will bring
- A literature review that offers an overview in the specific area proposed to contribute to
- A brief research design
- Details of your proposed sample, data collection methods, methods of analysis, ethical considerations, and location of your proposed study
- An overview of any relevant experience you already have in the areas you want to research
The process of selecting Doctorate applicants is very competitive. Please ensure you spend time reading on your topic area and existing research, interrogating the literature, and refining your proposal.
We are not permitted to comment on your proposal. Do consider sharing your research proposal with an active research staff or colleague to seek feedback prior to submitting your application and proposal for the online EdD.
Please note: All suitable applicants will be interviewed. The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
‡2025/26 for new entrants
Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.
UK/EU fee: £3,300 per year
International fee: £3,300 per year
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
UK/EU fee: £3,300 per year
International fee: £3,300 per year
Please note that the instalment calendar for this programme is as follows:
| Trimester in which course begins |
Initial payment up front (25%) |
2nd payment (25%) due |
3rd payment (25%) due |
4th payment (25%) due |
Total payment made (100%) |
| Autumn |
Enrolment = £825 |
1 November = £825 |
1 February = £825 |
1 May = £825 |
£3,300 |
Please note: that any costs incurred as part of your Research Study are not included within your course fees.
