Course summary
The Professional Doctorate at the University of East London is a five-year part-time modular course specifically aimed at senior professionals working in all fields of education. The course gives you the opportunity and the skills to conduct robust, innovative research that will improve the policy, practice, and the quality of education. Your doctorate will enhance your professional capability through critical analysis and the use of research evidence. You will be studying at one of the most diverse and multicultural universities in London, with the chance to meet and work with students and academics from different national and international professional backgrounds, each with their own experience and expertise that they bring to the course. Doctoral courses at the University of East London give you the chance to draw on this dynamic research culture as well as the research expertise of our academic staff, at least two of whom will serve on your supervisory team. The course consists of two stages. In Stage One, you will study four compulsory modules over two years. This is then followed by Stage Two, where you complete your research thesis.
Modules
Critically engaging with the literature The aim of the module is to provide you with the academic foundations underpinning knowledge and understanding of their fields of literature. Serving as the introductory module it will introduce you to what it means to write critically at doctoral level while acknowledging that this module is the start of the doctoral journey. You will be introduced to what is meant by 'educational research' and some associated introductory ontological and epistemological debates. However the main focus will be for you to develop, as part of your induction, an understanding of the depth and breadth of literatures related to your field of investigation, how to access these literatures and how to engage with those literatures rigorously, critically and succinctly. Philosophy and practice of research This module has the following aims: to introduce 'philosophy' to students and to compare it to other foundation disciplines in education studies: psychology and sociology to encounter a range of philosophical perspectives on education to address the foundational questions in philosophy to provide a context for considering your own attitudes as to the purpose of education to develop skills of critical reading and reflection.
Assessment method
At Stage One of the Professional Doctorate, you will be assessed via assignments (written and visual) and presentations. These will be marked by two members of the course team and moderated by an external examiner. Stage Two consists of a 50,000-word thesis. You will be examined orally (viva voce) on your thesis by an internal and external examiner. You must successfully complete all assessed elements before we can award you your Professional Doctorate degree. Students with disabilities and/or particular learning needs should discuss assessments with the Course Leader to ensure they are able to fully engage with all the elements of the course.
Entry requirements
A full Masters degree. We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths. Minimum of three years experience of professional practice in education. English langauge requirements: Overall IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in writing, speaking, reading and listening (or recognised equivalent).
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of East London
Docklands Campus
4-6 University Way
Newham
E16 2RD
Course contact details
Visit our course pageApplicant Relations Team
0208 223 3333