Overview
The PhD Education programme supports scholars investigating how people learn and how systems enable or constrain that learning. Research areas include EdTech efficacy, inclusive pedagogy, teacher professional development, and higher-education policy. You will complete doctoral coursework, pass candidacy, and produce a dissertation contributing new knowledge — with pathways for practising educators researching their own institutions.
PhD Education is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3–5 years, and the credit total is 60. Students move from Advanced Research Methods in Education through Advanced Research Methods in Education; Seminar in Learning Sciences; Education Policy & Comparative Systems; Doctoral Writing & Ethics; PhD Candidacy Examination; Doctoral Dissertation Research, and finish on Doctoral Dissertation Research.
Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students design a short sequence for a named group of learners and the criteria that would mark it fairly. Reading is a curriculum extract, an assessment specification, and an evaluation summary. The artefact a marker expects is a plan with outcomes, a task, criteria, and a note on bias.
The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Design mixed-methods educational research studies Contribute original findings to peer-reviewed education journals Translate research into policy and practice recommendations
Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass.
This course does not confer a teaching licence, QTS, or equivalent registration.
The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
The 60-credit pathway combines advanced Year 1 coursework with multi-year supervised research. Practitioner-researchers may study problems of practice within their institutions under ethical governance; career academicians focus on theory-building publications and conference dissemination.
Who This Programme Is For
- ✦Academics and researchers pursuing university careers
- ✦Senior education leaders contributing policy research
- ✦EdTech founders evidencing product impact rigorously
Faculty spotlight
Professor Alex Morgan leads learning-sciences research; Dr. Aisha Okonkwo specialises in comparative education in Africa and the UK.
Programme Structure & Delivery
Coursework
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Assessment
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Learning Outcomes
- ✦Design mixed-methods educational research studies
- ✦Contribute original findings to peer-reviewed education journals
- ✦Translate research into policy and practice recommendations
- ✦Supervise postgraduate students in education disciplines
Career Pathways
- ✦University Professor
- ✦Education Policy Researcher
- ✦Curriculum Theorist
- ✦EdTech Research Director
- ✦Think Tank Senior Fellow
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
Curriculum
Year 1 — Doctoral Coursework
EDD701Advanced Research Methods in Education- EDD701-M1 · Learners, outcomes, and a short teaching sequence — Advanced Research Methods in Education
- EDD701-M2 · Task design, criteria, and a sample answer — Advanced Research Methods in Education
- EDD701-M3 · Bias in assessment and how a criterion would be applied — Advanced Research Methods in Education
- EDD701-M4 · A programme decision and its effect on students and staff — Advanced Research Methods in Education
- EDD701-M5 · Evaluation evidence and what it cannot prove — Advanced Research Methods in Education
- EDD701-M6 · A curriculum or evaluation brief — Advanced Research Methods in Education
6 creditsEDD702Seminar in Learning Sciences- EDD702-M1 · Learners, outcomes, and a short teaching sequence — Seminar in Learning Sciences
- EDD702-M2 · Task design, criteria, and a sample answer — Seminar in Learning Sciences
- EDD702-M3 · Bias in assessment and how a criterion would be applied — Seminar in Learning Sciences
- EDD702-M4 · A programme decision and its effect on students and staff — Seminar in Learning Sciences
- EDD702-M5 · Evaluation evidence and what it cannot prove — Seminar in Learning Sciences
- EDD702-M6 · A curriculum or evaluation brief — Seminar in Learning Sciences
6 creditsEDD703Education Policy & Comparative Systems- EDD703-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
- EDD703-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
- EDD703-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
- EDD703-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
- EDD703-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
- EDD703-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Education Policy & Comparative Systems
6 creditsEDD704Doctoral Writing & Ethics- EDD704-M1 · Learners, outcomes, and a short teaching sequence — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
- EDD704-M2 · Task design, criteria, and a sample answer — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
- EDD704-M3 · Bias in assessment and how a criterion would be applied — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
- EDD704-M4 · A programme decision and its effect on students and staff — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
- EDD704-M5 · Evaluation evidence and what it cannot prove — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
- EDD704-M6 · A curriculum or evaluation brief — Doctoral Writing & Ethics
6 creditsYears 2–5 — Dissertation
EDD801PhD Candidacy Examination- EDD801-M1 · Learners, outcomes, and a short teaching sequence — PhD Candidacy Examination
- EDD801-M2 · Task design, criteria, and a sample answer — PhD Candidacy Examination
- EDD801-M3 · Bias in assessment and how a criterion would be applied — PhD Candidacy Examination
- EDD801-M4 · A programme decision and its effect on students and staff — PhD Candidacy Examination
- EDD801-M5 · Evaluation evidence and what it cannot prove — PhD Candidacy Examination
- EDD801-M6 · A curriculum or evaluation brief — PhD Candidacy Examination
0 creditsEDD802Doctoral Dissertation Research- EDD802-M1 · Learners, outcomes, and a short teaching sequence — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- EDD802-M2 · Task design, criteria, and a sample answer — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- EDD802-M3 · Bias in assessment and how a criterion would be applied — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- EDD802-M4 · A programme decision and its effect on students and staff — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- EDD802-M5 · Evaluation evidence and what it cannot prove — Doctoral Dissertation Research
- EDD802-M6 · A curriculum or evaluation brief — Doctoral Dissertation Research
36 creditsAdmission requirements
Academic entry
- Master's degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution
English language
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for research writing
Documents
- Three academic references, at least one from a previous supervisor
Research & interview
- Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words) aligned with faculty research areas
- Interview with the doctoral admissions panel (online)
- Evidence of prior research output (publications, thesis, or professional reports) preferred
Programme questions
How long is the PhD Education?+
The published duration is 3–5 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
Can I study this from my country?+
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
What does it cost?+
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
What are the entry requirements?+
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
How is the programme assessed?+
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Will this award be recognised where I live?+
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
How do I apply?+
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
