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PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION EdD

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Overview

A unique opportunity

This programme is aimed at researchers and experienced education practitioners wishing to gain a practice-focused higher degree and make an original contribution to theory and practice in a field associated with social justice and inclusive education.

The EdD engages with inclusive education in its broadest sense across the whole age range including throughout adulthood and is relevant across all educational settings. Students come from a range of settings as well as school, college and university,  such as the charity sector, prison education, the arts and social care.

Participants with an interest in equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice will gain much from working with a diverse group of peers and tutors from varied backgrounds. The close association between the University Research Centres and LSBU Doctoral College provide opportunities to work with like-minded research-active peers within a lively and supportive learning community.

Why a Professional Doctorate in Education at LSBU?

As a research student you will become part of our broader thriving academic community which has national and international links beyond LSBU.
Staff are research active and focused on impact and inclusivity in education.
LSBU Doctoral College at LSBU offers a package of skills development opportunities within a lively and supportive environment.
Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
ModePart-time Duration2 years taught + 3 years research Start dateSeptember Application code6155 Application method Direct to LSBU
ModePart-time Duration2 years taught + 3 years research Start dateJanuary Application code6157 Application method Direct to LSBU

Watch our video to see how you can make yourself at home studying at LSBU.

Location

London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.

If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.

Entry Level Requirements

Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.

Course applicants will normally have experience of study at post-graduate level from a UK university or its overseas equivalent. They should have a current role working in education (in its broadest sense) along with a minimum of three years of relevant practice-based experience.

All successful candidates will be interviewed. Prior to interview applicants will need to complete:

A personal statement on why they want to do the course and their main areas of interest (500 words)

A provisional research proposal, including how their research relates to their practice (1000 words)

Their research should be related to their practice.

As the EdD is relevant across the age range it has broad appeal to diverse participants with shared interests in social justice and inclusion. This includes primary and secondary education, University and FE academic and professional services staff, researchers  and professionals in related fields such as prison education, youth work, psychology, social care and the arts.

Opportunities for accreditation of prior learning are potentially available to participants with an appropriate background, including significant publications and extensive postgraduate teaching and research experience. APEL should be discussed with the Admissions Tutor who can explain the process in detail.

Choose your country

Select country here:

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United Kingdom

£5245

Tuition fees for home students

International

£10140

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

  • Part-time

    part-time

    Professional Doctorate In Education (PT) - Year 1

    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £5245 International fee: £8450
    AOS/LSBU code: 3254 Session code: 1PS01
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
    UK: £17464
    International: £38370

    Professional Doctorate In Education (PT) - Year 2

    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £5245 International fee: £8450
    AOS/LSBU code: 3254 Session code: 2PS01
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
    UK: £17464
    International: £38370

    Professional Doctorate In Education (PT) - Year 3

    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140
    AOS/LSBU code: 3254 Session code: 3PS01
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
    UK: £17464
    International: £38370

    Professional Doctorate In Education (PT) - Year 4

    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £2892 International fee: £10140
    AOS/LSBU code: 3254 Session code: 4PS01
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
    UK: £17464
    International: £38370

    Professional Doctorate In Education (PT) - Year 6

    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £1190 International fee: £1190
    AOS/LSBU code: 3254 Session code: WUS00
    Total course fee:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
    UK: £17464
    International: £38370

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Mode Part-time Duration 2 years taught + 3 years research Start date September Application code 6155 Application method Direct to LSBU
Mode Part-time Duration 2 years taught + 3 years research Start date January Application code 6157 Application method Direct to LSBU

Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.

Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.

See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).

Considering your application

Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.

There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.

Please contact the Course Director, Prof Nicola Martin, on martinn4@lsbu.ac.uk to discuss your application.

Prepare to start

We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

The researcher journey through the EdD:

Year 1

The first year begins with two level 8 modules and one long thin synoptic level 7 Module, Researcher Development. The Reflexive Research in Practice introduces students to important doctoral research principles such as positionality, subjectivity and critical thinking so that they develop the ability to theorise and critically analyse their own and others practice with a focus on social justice and epistemic inequalities.  Critical Perspectives on Practice and Pedagogy engages students in higher level reflective and reflexive thinking to root their future doctoral research in the context of national and international educational ideologies, discourses and practices.  It encourages students to adopt an explicitly exploratory, theoretical approach which involves critiquing existing models of educational research practices and established theories.   This will include consideration of feminist, post-qualitative and critical race theorists.

Year 2

In the second year the remaining two level 7 modules, Research Methods in Social Science and Analysing and Reviewing Literature, provide the opportunity for students to tailor their assignments around their doctoral areas of interest.   In the final level 8 module of the taught phase, Pilot Study Proposal students will revisit and apply the ideas explored in their level 7 assignment to put together a pilot study proposal in a research area of their choice as preparation for the thesis writing stage of the course.

Students need to pass all L7 modules and L8 modules to progress to the research phase. Completion of all L7 modules will lead to the intermediate award of PG Cert Research Practice.

Year 3 (onward)

Thesis Phase

As per the LSBU Professional Doctorate framework, the thesis is expected to have these qualities; original research that demonstrates a student’s capacity for scholarly inquiry that significantly contributes to knowledge in a field of study and can communicate complex ideas and findings to various audiences.

The Thesis Phase of the Professional Doctorate in Education is subject to the University’s Academic Regulations and procedures set out in the Research Degrees Code of Practice (LSBU LDC 2024) and the Supervision Handbook for Supervisors and their Research Degree Students (LSBU LDC 2024). This includes a post-viva MPhil exit award.

Thesis length will be a minimum of 50,000 and no more than 60,000 words (or equivalent).

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

  • An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
  • Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

UK higher education increasingly demands doctorate level qualifications and anyone wishing to develop a career in research or in senior positions in education will benefit from having a doctorate. Opportunities to write for publication are built into the programme and publishing in refereed journals is particularly important for participants looking to excel in academia.

The department has wide professional links within and beyond the university and the UK.  Examples include:

Teaching and Assessment

You will benefit from an extensive Virtual Learning Environment via Moodle and a comprehensive range of professional services across the University to assist you with your academic development. Access to an experienced relevant supervisory team is built into the research / dissertation phase.

Hear from past student, Andrew Read:

Register your interest

Contact information

Course Enquiries - UK

Tel: 0207 815 7500