EdD PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION

Overview

A unique opportunity

This programme is aimed at education researchers and experienced 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.

Hear from graduate, Janine FitzGerald:

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, LSBU Doctoral College and master’s programmes 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?

Ranked 3rd among London competitors for Student Satisfaction in Education (Complete University Guide 2022)
Staff are research active and focussed on impact. As a result of LSBU’s autism research, for example, the Participatory Autism Research Collective (PARC) started at LSBU.
As a research student you will also become part of our broader thriving academic community which has national and international links beyond LSBU.
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 independent Start dateSeptember Application code3254 Application method Direct to 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

Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.

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 masters level graduates with an education background (including the LSBU MA Education - Special Educational Needs and Disability), 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.

Missing English and Maths qualifications?

If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.

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 2025/26
    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 2025/26
    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 2025/26
    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 2025/26
    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 2025/26
    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.

Home

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Mode Part-time Duration 2 years taught + 3 years independent Start date September Application code 3254 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.

Year 1

  • What is education for? This module invites you to analyse a range of possible responses to the question ‘what is education for?’ from philosophical, sociological and psychological standpoints with a focus on social justice.  You will therefore discuss issues of equality and diversity, sustainable development and inclusive practice. It seeks to offer an opportunity for you to reflect on professional experience, within and beyond education, from a theoretical perspective. You and your peers will have come from diverse backgrounds with varying knowledge of educational theory. The module will take into account your prior experiences and build from there.
  • Theorising critical issues in educational change and development The module will enable students to engage with the issues of social justice such as sustainability, inclusion, equality and diversity in relation to educational change and the development of learners from diverse settings across the age range, including in the post compulsory sector. It will provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to analyse and apply theoretical frameworks to key educational issues. The module will encourage analytical and critical reflection on theory and its relationship to practice.

Year 2

  • Researching critical issues in educational change and development The module will enable students to further engage with the issues of social justice such as sustainability, inclusion, equality and diversity in relation to educational change and the development of learners from diverse settings across the age range, including in the post compulsory sector. It will provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to analyse and apply theoretical frameworks to key educational issues, to critique research and to develop their own research proposal. The module will encourage critical analysis and reflection.  Students will be required to further develop their understanding of theoretical frameworks so that they can understand educational practice in terms of: Politics of knowledge, Values, participation and empowerment, Processes of change - personal / local / global, and systems thinking / situated cognition.
  • Issues and controversies in research
    In this module students will explore issues and controversies in educational research with particular reference to key themes of the EdD programme and with respect to examples of research. There will be opportunities to develop and apply understanding of research methodology and engage with the wider LSBU research community, including accessing input on researcher development delivered from the Research Degrees Office. Students will develop an understanding of the required processes and milestones of the research phase.

Year 3 (onward)

  • Independent research and dissertation
    The taught phase is assessed via a range of assignments, pilot research projects and portfolio development. The research phase culminates in a 40,000 word dissertation or equivalent piece of in-depth research-based work, which is assessed by viva. An ongoing portfolio is maintained throughout the taught and research phase.

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. The option of graduating with an MEd after successful completion of the taught phase is built in.

Hear from past student, Andrew Read (MEd):

People profiles

Book now

Register your interest

Contact information

Course Enquiries - UK

Tel: 0207 815 7500