Introduction
Gain a professional doctorate whilst working and transform your professional practice through robust, rigorous research. Our programme provides a solid foundation for undertaking a practice-focused doctoral research study.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- Blended Learning
- Degree Qualification
- EdD
- Duration
- 72 months
- Study Mode
- Part Time
- Start Month
- October
The Professional Doctorate of Education (EdD) is a distinctive two-part programme that offers you the opportunity to develop your capacity as a reflexive researcher before moving on to complete your own original doctoral thesis.
The programme is ideal for anyone working in any part of the education sector (school, university, museum) as well as anyone working in education-related services or disciplines such as health and social care. A professional doctorate is a great way to develop your expertise in a particular area of your practice and can enhance your employability.
Our EdD combines taught and research-based learning. Part One, taught over Years 1 and 2, includes four core courses (see below), each designed to help your advance your understanding of your own practice and of research. Part Two, across years 3-6, is focused on developing your own original doctoral-level research. This element is facilitated through a co-constructive approach with a supervisory team with expertise in your specific area.
This programme structure is ideal for you if you are returning to academic study after some time or are interested in thinking through some different research options before committing to a doctoral topic for your thesis.
Our Doctor of Education (EdD) can be studied completely online. So you can be working and living anywhere in the World and work with us at the University of Aberdeen.
Study days in October and February introduce the core learning for each module. These study days are offered in-person or online, although students are strongly encouraged to attend in person. These allow you to connect and collaborate with other doctoral students and academics.
What You'll Study
- Degree Content
-
Compulsory Courses
Stage 1 Module 1: Identifying and Articulating Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
This module will help you begin your research journey through a series of critical reflections on your professional biography to identify and articulate particular issues in your professional practice.
Module 2: Contextualising Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
In this module, you will identify the links between a researchable professional issue and its wider contexts. This could include sociological, historical/temporal, geographic/spatial and policy/institutional dimensions of context.
Module 3: Researching Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
In this module, you will engage with the epistemological, theoretical, practical and ethical decisions and dilemmas that are part of designing any research study. You will consider these issues as you move from a researchable professional issue to a feasible and defensible research design.
Module 4: Analysing and impacting Issues in Professional Practice (Credits: 45)
This module will support you in conducting the analysis of research data and ensuring that your research has some impact on professional practice, or on perceptions of professional practice, in your field. This module has a dual focus, the first is on your capacity to make sense of and interpret research data. In doing so you will consider different ways in which data might be analysed in order to derive meaning and generate new knowledge. The second focus is designed to support you in ensuring that your doctoral research positively impacts in some way on the conduct or understanding of the professional practice.
Stage 2 Doctoral Thesis (Credits: 360)
Your doctoral thesis is an individual piece of original research. You will conduct this under the supervision of a team of academic staff members. The thesis will demonstrate your ability to undertake and complete coherent pieces of research which would merit publication. The thesis will be approximately 50,000 words and examined as a written text and orally through a viva.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact soe-research@abdn.ac.uk.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
Why Study Professional Doctorate of Education?
- Undertake doctoral-level studies focused on the context of your specialism.
- Develop new knowledge or applications to impact your professional practice.
- Received support and guidance from experienced educational professionals.
- Flexibility to study anywhere in the world.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Good honours degree (normally 2.1 at least) or MEd (or equivalent) or MRes (or equivalent) and a minimum of 3 years relevant educational professional experience.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.
- More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
- More information on the Careers and Employability Service
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Education (Research)
University of Aberdeen
Macrobert Building
King’s College
Aberdeen
AB24 5UA