Education in its broadest sense
Our Doctor of Education (EdD) has a broad appeal: you do not have to be a teacher, tutor or lecturer to benefit, although many of our students are. The programme is relevant to professionals engaged in learning, teaching, coaching, development, education policy and administration in a vast range of occupations and settings.
Our students work in education establishments, health and social care, commercial management and training, organisational development and improvement, business and the voluntary sector.
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 to six as you develop your thesis with the support of a team of supervisors.
Academic rigour and expertise
Our online Doctor of Education (EdD) course is delivered by research active tutors and supervisors who have expertise across all educational spheres and regularly publish their work. They will keep you abreast of latest thinking and challenge your perceptions.
The programme draws 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.
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 of the taught phase of the programme combine self-study with asynchronous interactions to enhance your learning meaning, you will be given access to our instructional materials each week and you will complete the activities at your own pace. Our online learning resources include an online discussion board, multimedia, and a live tutorial. You will access all the study materials, seminars, and tutorials through our virtual learning environment. This will enhance your learning experience, as you will learn both with and from your peers and the academic staff.
How you are assessed
Assessments provide a variety and range of tasks which go beyond the requirements of the academic essay. These facilitate professionals such as yourself in articulating and disseminating your 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 Professional Doctorate, you will need to complete two taught 60-credit modules in year one and 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 3 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.
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
All applications will be reviewed by the University and suitable applicants will be invited to for an interview that will be held on Microsoft Teams.
In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:
- Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
- Proof of your qualifications such as copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
- Your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two references - these can be sent electronically and can either be on signed letter headed paper or sent directly from your referees’ professional email address:
- a satisfactory academic or employer reference from someone able to comment positively on your capability to study at the level of the programme you have applied for. It is your responsibility to obtain this reference, we do not contact your referees
- Your Research Proposal (as detailed in the Entry requirements section).
