Our EdD programme stimulates and transforms students' professional thinking and practice whilst developing a deep understanding of real life professional issues. The EdD carries the same status as a PhD and is a careful balance of taught units and a research dissertation. Excellent doctoral level research is the main aim of the programme and the taught units are key to supporting candidates in developing subject knowledge and research skills.
In 1991 the Doctorate of Education programme began in Bristol and was the first taught doctorate outside of North America. We continue to take the lead in innovative and world class research, teaching and learning. The changes we have made to the programme this year, make it is as relevant today as it was then.
Taught units are designed around the three specialist pathways and are taught by world class academics, with excellent research records. There are three pathways through the programme – Learning, Leadership & Policy, TESOL/Applied Linguistics and Narrative Inquiry – and each has been designed to support students by broadening their theoretical and methodological knowledge base in preparation for their own research. Progression and the transition between taught and research phases have also been carefully considered in the revisions.
The programme’s success in recruiting and retaining high achieving, senior professionals with demanding jobs lies in the top quality of its teaching; and in its fully developed support structures for participants. In re-designing the programme our priority has been always to support candidates to complete the programme and succeed in their professions at the same time.
The new programme is structured to provide candidates with the support which enables them to succeed whilst retaining the flexibility required for mid-career professionals. Candidates study at their own pace with intensive two and a half day units taught in Bristol and Hong Kong. From the start of the programme candidates are allocated an Academic Adviser and, at a later stage, a Dissertation Supervisor.
The changes to the programme have been made in consultation with stakeholders, particularly students. As one student commented
“What is particularly good about the programme is the way it is structured. I can choose modules that coincide with my professional interests … I like the flexibility and the support students receive. I feel that this doctorate is achievable.”
Is the EdD for you? Check out more student testimonials or see our detailed programme structure.
