Everything you need to know...
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Tuition fees
Home: £4,225 per year
International/EU: £9,765 per year -
Course duration
7 Years
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Study location
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Start date
January 2028
Course summary
- Develop advanced research skills through a professional doctorate designed for those working in education, training and related fields.
- Join a vibrant research community within the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE) and the wider College of Social Sciences and Arts.
- Learn from an established research community, with 60% of submitted research outputs rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021.
- Explore research opportunities addressing key educational priorities including community and lifelong learning, early years and school improvement, inclusion and social justice.
- Build your research profile and professional networks through specialist research groups, collaborative opportunities and doctoral development activities.
The Doctorate in Education (EdD) is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of education and make an original contribution to knowledge and practice. You'll develop your research expertise while exploring challenges relevant to your professional interests, whether in schools, early years, further and higher education, adult learning or alternative educational settings. Supported by an active research community, you'll have opportunities to connect with researchers, exchange ideas and develop research that can inform educational policy and practice.
How you learn
In the first two years of this course, you will work on four modules, each of which addresses particular areas of knowledge and skill in preparation for the final thesis. However, much of the work for your degree will be carried out independently, and you will need the initiative, motivation and commitment to succeed.
Your supervisory team will include a Director of Studies and a second supervisor with expertise and interest in your research area. Your supervisors will help you to define your research programme, identify training, and provide direction while encouraging you to develop as an independent researcher.
Research opportunities
Studying in South Yorkshire offers opportunities to explore educational challenges connected to regional priorities and professional practice. With the region at the forefront of England's devolution agenda, you'll be part of a research environment engaging with issues such as skills and workforce development, educational inequalities, community learning, school improvement, inclusion and social justice.
You'll have opportunities to explore how research can contribute to education policy, public service innovation and wider social and economic development.
Applied learning
Networking opportunities
As a postgraduate researcher, you'll become part of a vibrant research community within the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), the College of Social Sciences and Arts and the wider University.
You'll have opportunities to connect with researchers and academics through special interest groups, research networks and collaborative research clusters. These provide a supportive environment to exchange ideas, explore different research approaches and develop your academic and professional profile.
Our education postgraduate research forum gives you the chance to meet fellow doctoral researchers, share experiences and discuss research methodologies and practical challenges.
You'll also benefit from researcher and innovator development activities, designed to respond to doctoral students' needs and informed by student feedback.
The University's Doctoral School and the Researcher and Innovator Development Academy provides further opportunities for training, professional development and networking, including research conferences where you can share your work and learn from other researchers.
The Sheffield Institute of Education is also part of the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, offering additional opportunities to engage with the wider research community.
Future careers
The Doctorate in Education (EdD) is a professional doctorate designed for experienced professionals who want to develop their expertise, advance their practice and contribute to knowledge in education.
Through advanced research, you'll deepen your understanding of education policy and practice while investigating issues relevant to your professional interests. You'll develop the skills to critically evaluate educational challenges, contribute new knowledge and help inform improvements in your field.
The course can support your professional development across a range of educational settings, including schools, early years, further and higher education, adult learning and alternative educational provision.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEntry requirements
All students
All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).
All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.
You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.
Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.
Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with 7.0 in all components (or equivalent). Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part time study in 2027/28 is £4,225 per year.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2027/28 is £9,765 per year. (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa).
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Education (PDF, 252.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
