Education EdD

This online distance learning programme offers a professionally relevant and academically rigorous opportunity for advanced study in education. The programme is designed for professionals at all levels in education, training and development, and in education-related fields.

EdD (online): 5 years part-time; Thesis of 50,000-60,000 words

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Edge
Internet Explorer

Mobile:

MobileSafari
Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

Internet Explorer 10 and below
Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

Processor: 2GHz
Operating system (minimum):
- Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
- Windows 7
- Mac OS X v10.4.11+
Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
Hard disk: 300GB
Sound card and microphone
Speakers or headphones
Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

Microsoft Office 2010
Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
Webcam

Apply now

Overview

Our doctorate is comparable to a PhD in terms of scale and rigour. It differs in that it provides a structured programme of advanced study in the first three years that is relevant to your profession as an educator and focused on the inter-relationship of research, policy and practice.

We focus on collaborative learning, drawing on your own experiences and those of your academic colleagues.

This programme will give you the skills and confidence to further advance your career to the highest levels in education and education-related fields.

Study options

EdD

Duration: 5 years part-time

Years 1, 2 and 3

You will take six core courses (one per semester). Each requires attendance and participation in a study weekend in Glasgow.

Critical reflection in professional learning and practice
Education policy
Educational futures
Ethics and education
Open studies one: Advancing research methods
Open studies two: Applying research methods

Years 4 and 5

You will work towards the submission of a dissertation of 50,000 to 60,000 words, supported by an appropriate supervisory team.

Progressing at a normal pace, successful candidates can complete the Doctorate in five years. However, we realise that circumstances occasionally mean participants need to take a break from studies and the programme allows candidates to suspend their studies for a limited time period.

Entry requirements

Usually a Masters level qualification in education or a cognate subject and a minimum of five years of professional experience in education or a closely related field. As well as two academic references, you also need to submit samples of recent academic writing, such as an assignment or a dissertation, as part of your application.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

7.0 with no sub-test under 6.5
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

94; with Reading 19; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

66 with no subtest less than: Listening 59;Reading 60; Speaking 59; Writing 74
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

185 overall, no subtest less than 176
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

Oxford ELLT 8
R&L: OIDI level no less than 7 with Reading: 25-26 and Listening: 18-19
W&S: OIDI level no less than 8.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025/26

Part-time fee: £4,110

International & EU

Part-time fee: £8,930

Fees shown as per year. Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Possible additional fees

Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
Registration/exam only fee: £170

Support

The College of Social Sciences Graduate School draws together internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners to offer a range of research programmes. Our programmes are based on thorough training in research methods and we encourage you to take part in numerous exciting seminars, conferences and events.

How to apply

Supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring in the dissertation stage of the EdD. You are not required to identify a potential supervisor in advance of your application.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed) – scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.