The International Doctor of Education (EdD) offers structured study at doctoral level for professionals working in the area of education and international development.
Programme Leader: Dr Mario Novelli
Over the course of the programme students are required to submit three assignments and a research thesis. The mode of study is via a three to four week annual summer school which takes place in July at the University of Sussex campus. This is supported by an e-learning platform that facilitates ongoing communications with peers and supervisors, as well as providing/enabling remote access and participation in the research seminars and events taking place on campus.
This mode of delivery enables participants to remain in their home country for most of the period of their doctoral study whilst being registered as Independent Distant Students of the university. The International Doctorate in Education (EdD) provides the opportunity for experienced professionals in education administration, universities and other learning institutions in the public or voluntary sectors - in low and middle income contexts - to study at doctoral level on issues that are of direct relevance to their own professional interests and institutional concerns.
The basis of the EdD is collaborative, professional learning in which students will pool, share and benefit from each other's professional experience and theoretical development. The programme aims to develop research skills, with an emphasis on understanding and using research in professional and organisational settings within an international context.
Download the International EdD Leaflet: 2011 [PDF 5.49MB]
Admission Requirements
Entrants should normally:
- hold a first degree and a higher degree equivalent to a UK Master's degree
- have at least three years of full time experience in a relevant professional area
- hold a certificate of proficiency in English language (minimum IELTS Grade 7/TOEFL 600) for all students for whom English is not their first language
- be able to satisfy selectors that they have access to basic technological infrastructure to support their studies
Candidates who do not hold a Master's degree may be permitted to register based on examination of a candidate's portfolio and professional work of Master's level equivalence.
International Doctorate (EdD) Statement of Support
To support your application, please provide written work reflecting the subject headings provided below. Your responses are not binding in any way but provide an indication of your professional context, motivations and interests:
a) Describe your work and the organisation it is located within (100 words max)
b) Explain why you want to do the international doctorate (200 words max)
c) What are the key issues that might form the focus of your doctoral studies? You should provide a rationale for this focus, describe any associated problematics and suggest how you might engage in this study. (1,000 words max including at least two references to relevant academic literature)
Programme of Study
The minimum period of registration is three years (nine terms) and a maximum of six years (18 terms). The programme consists of three phases:
- Phase One: Research and the Professional (two assignments of 8 and 10,000 words)
- Phase Two: Critical Analysis (a critical analytical study of 18-20,000 words)
- Phase Three: Research Thesis (35-45,000 words)
Students must attend the summer school during each phase of the programme. Completion of the thesis normally takes a further one to two years after the Phase Three summer - depending on how intensively the student is able to work on their research. Students must be registered separately for each year of study. By prior arrangement, students may be able to extend their stay at the University of Sussex beyond the summer school to make use of the on-site facilities and engage further in their studies.
Communications and Contact
This programme features:
- face-to-face contact with university staff
- annual three-four week summer schools at the University of Sussex
- personal tutor
- an e-learning platform for communications and resources
- two research supervisors to help with personal research in Phase Three
- regular contact through e-mail, post, fax, telephone or Skype
- student e-mail network and chat room
Assessment and Progression
Each assignment is assessed on a pass/fail basis, with progression from one phase to the next dependent on a student passing all assignments. Award of the EdD is dependent on the candidate satisfying the examiners that, at the end of the period of study, the thesis and course work - taken together - are of doctoral standard. When the thesis is submitted, external and internal examiners are appointed to conduct an oral examination for each candidate in accordance with the regulations for the international doctorate.
Library & Technical Support
Full library support is available to all postgraduate students of the university. This includes membership of the Main Library as well as other on-campus research libraries and also provides remote electronic access to journals and databases. All students register with the University Computing Service, which provides access to all campus computers, peripherals and internet facilities through wireless and wired computers.
Fees
See information about fees for this programme here.
Click here for links to funding organisations and financial advice.
How to Apply
Email m.novelli@sussex.ac.uk for all academic enquiries.
For more information, please contact:
Research and Enterprise Coordinator
Department of Education
School of Education and Social Work
Essex House
University of Sussex
Falmer
BN1 9QN
E: P.Fanning-Tichborne@sussex.ac.uk
T: +44 (0) 1273 678464
F: +44 (0) 1273 877534
Applications can be made online or in hard copy format via the paper application page.
