Education Doctor of (EdD)
- Typical entry requirements
- View full entry requirements
- Course delivery
- On Campus
Course information for entry year:
Overview
The Doctor of Education is a taught doctorate. It provides a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of educational research.
The course supports you in doctoral research related to your professional interests. We encourage critical reflection on experiences and expertise. You'll take an evidence-based approach to practice, innovation and change.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a professional doctorate. It brings together theory, research and practice. This is through the close alignment of research with professional knowledge.
Professional doctorates are valuable in supporting and developing, evidence-based practice. This is to the benefit of the student and the wider education world.
You'll receive a structured introduction to education and a flexible approach to learning. You can tailor your study to your own interests and emerging needs in the taught stage. You'll develop research skills and approaches needed to succeed at the research stage.
It is appropriate for professionals who wish to undertake part-time doctoral study while working full time. It is also suitable for full-time students who are teachers or leaders and would like to develop research linked to their practices.
We attract a diversity of both international and home students. They come from a range of educational contexts, including:
- school
- further education
- higher education
You'll learn from each other's experiences. This will help to develop your own understanding within the wider education context.
The course draws on the expertise developed in the Research Centre for Learning and Teaching (CfLaT).
It has a base in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS).
Course tutors are active researchers. They all teach and supervise across a range of courses. This provides them with a wide knowledge base. It relates to the challenges of research in educational contexts.
Our links with research centres and institutes provide opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary seminars. Our most important connections are with:
You'll develop connections with some of the diverse faculty research institutes.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Ãå±±½ûµØ study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the . This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.
What you'll learn
Our flexible EdD begins as a taught programme and then progresses onto a research stage. This includes a project and thesis.
The taught component includes a mix of compulsory research methods modules. They are for doctoral researchers in education. We have optional educational content modules from a wide range of topics.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
You take optional modules to a value of 100 credits. This includes a minimum of 20 credits from the following list of research methods modules and the remainder from the list of content modules:
Research methods modules
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Strategies and Methods | 20 |
| Information Skills | 10 |
| Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
| Quantitative Analysis | 20 |
| The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
Content modules
How you'll learn
In attending seminars you will engage with staff and students from around the world.
We provide flexibility in the choice and timing of modules. There is also flexibility in the design and format of the research study and thesis. It comprises a taught element and a research element.
Module teaching is at various times. This includes day-time and evenings, Monday-Friday and possible Saturdays. Email support is available from the Degree Programme Director and module leaders. You can apply for accreditation of prior learning (APL). You'll match the learning objectives of our modules with the objectives or outcomes of any previous study or experience. This includes academic or professional experience.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written exercise
You'll complete an empirical research thesis. This will have a 60,000 words limit. It should address an issue of professional concern or interest.
You'll have a supervision team from ECLS. This team will support you through your research and the write-up of your thesis. Your progress is monitored through annual progress panels. For these you'll submit a piece of writing and present your research to date. When your thesis is complete, it is examined at the viva voce. This will be by two academics with relevant knowledge and expertise.
You'll have professional educational knowledge and experience on which you can draw. Most students work or volunteer in a setting. This provides the context for their understanding of educational research and a site for their research.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.
You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.
We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Ãå±±½ûµØ. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
Facilities
You'll learn in the King George VI Building. You'll have access to the and associated borrowing rights. When you reach the research stage, you also have access to the School's postgraduate suite.
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance .
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
Search for funding and scholarships
Find funding available for your course
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6569
Email: pgrecls@newcastle.ac.uk
Enquiries
If you've got a question about your application, send us an enquiry via the application portal you applied through.
If you haven't applied yet, or have a general enquiry, you can send your questions via our enquiry form.
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