Course Overview
The Ed.D by Practice is a professional doctorate tailored for educators and education leaders who are seeking to deepen their understanding and expertise in their field while gaining a prestigious doctoral qualification.
This programme focuses on bridging theory and practice, allowing students to apply their research directly to their current roles within educational settings. The course is designed to be flexible and practice-oriented, with students working on a series of modules that build towards their final thesis, which will be based on real-world case studies from their professional practice. The programme can be completed in as little as 18 months, making it ideal for busy professionals.
Our welcoming team of experienced, professionally and academically qualified staff will help you understand how you can align your research topic of interest to current research in relevant fields and apply it to your own professional practice and context. The Ed.D. by Practice provides you with an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your ability to implement a research project and opens up opportunities for higher education lecturing and/or research posts.
Award:
Duration:
Delivery:
Start Date:
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
18 months to 3 years
Hybrid Online Learning
2 June 2025
Information
Why choose to study a doctorate with us?
At Premier Learning Institute, you're more than just a student number. You are a valued member of our community!
Globally recognised
Premier Learning Institute partners with leading universities and awarding bodies across the UK and Europe, ensuring that our qualifications are internationally respected and recognised. Our programmes are designed to meet global academic and industry standards, empowering you to advance your career anywhere in the world; in academia or industry.
Exceptional support from trained mentor-supervisors
Our doctoral supervisors are not just academics, they are trained mentors and coaches dedicated to your success. With regular, one-on-one guidance, constructive feedback, and tailored research support, you’ll always have an expert by your side to help you navigate your doctoral journey with confidence. In the instance that things don't go to plan, we have policies which allow you to change your supervisor without any consequences. We listen to you and cater to your needs.
Your future in mind
We go beyond just education, we invest in your future success. Our expert doctoral careers service provides guidance, networking, professional development and recruitment services to help you maximise your potential. We have a dedicated team who will upskill you throughout your doctorate, supporting you to reach your career goals and transition to industry jobs.
Academic rigour, without information overload
Our carefully designed modular programme ensures that you gain deep, research-driven knowledge without being overwhelmed. You learn one step at a time! We focus on high-impact learning, allowing you to engage meaningfully with your research while progressing through structured, manageable study blocks. You will experience the same level of academic intensity as any other doctorate, but organised in a clean, productive and efficient way.
Ease of access
Our flexible and innovative hybrid online learning model means you can study anytime, anywhere, fitting your education around your personal and professional commitments. With self-paced learning and no fixed schedules, you remain in control of your progress while maintaining a great work-life balance.
Affordable programme, with flexible payment plans
As a non-profit social enterprise, we prioritise affordable education without compromising on quality. Our one-off fee structure and flexible payment plans ensure that financial constraints are not a barrier to your academic and professional growth. We reinvest in making education accessible, giving you the best value for your investment. We work with you, for you.
Highlights
Prestigious, internationally recognised Ed.D qualification, equivalent in status to a PhD.
Designed for education professionals to align with their current roles and professional interests.
Research-driven approach with a focus on real-world educational challenges.
Thesis phase involves designing, implementing, and presenting an original research study based on your professional practice.
Encourages students to bring their own education-related issues as the foundation for research.
Key Features
Graduates are able to use the title ‘Dr.’ and have the same level of qualification as a Ph.D.
Emphasises the development of independent research skills and advanced communication abilities.
Focus on contemporary educational research methods and detailed exploration of your professional area of interest.
Suitable for professionals across all educational sectors, from early years to higher education.
Flexible course structure designed to fit around professional commitments.
Dedicated supervisor to guide you through your thesis from inception to oral examination.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the Ed.D by Practice programme typically hold a master’s degree in education or a related field. However, we also welcome experienced education professionals who may not hold a master’s degree but can demonstrate significant relevant experience in a leadership role within an educational setting. As the programme integrates professional practice into the research process, applicants must currently be employed in an educational capacity.
Academic Requirements: Applicants should have an honours degree and a master’s-level professional qualification, or equivalent experience / qualifications.
Professional Experience: You should have at least three years of experience working in education or training and be actively engaged in a professional role during your doctoral studies.
Interview/Portfolio: You may be required to attend an interview and/or submit a portfolio of work/CV for consideration.
References: Satisfactory references will be required before enrolment on the course. One reference must be from your current/last employer or line manager, confirming your employment details.
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language qualification or proficientcy test is required. Please refer to our apply webpage for further details.
Career Opportunities
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) by Practice is a doctoral degree with a research focus in the field of education. It is designed to prepare you for academic, research, administrative, clinical, or professional positions in educational, civil, private organisations, or public institutions. The Ed.D. is aimed at experienced educational professionals wishing to develop further their research, analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills. Employers in education and elsewhere recognise doctoral qualifications as an indicator of high-quality performance, which may lead to promotion within your current role.
What can I do with this qualification?
This qualification can enhance your career opportunities, including progression into senior education leadership and management. The Ed.D. provides an opportunity to prepare for academic, administrative or specialised positions in education. The Ed.D. is recognised for appointment as a lecturer and may even, alongside a comprehensive list of additional achievements and experience, help support an application to the post of professor.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
Quality inspection
Consultancy
Local government education sector
Journalism/writing
Educational charity work
Educational policy
Social work
Higher education
International educational leadership
Fees & Funding
The tuition fee for this course is a one-time payment of €12,412.00 EUR for the full programme.
Other costs:
Exceeding the maximum duration of 3 years for this course will incur an additional supervision fee of €1120.00 EUR per additional year.
A fee of €540.00 EUR is payable upon the final thesis submission to cover the costs of organising the viva voce panel and the related administrative expenses for the doctoral award.
We do not charge tuition fees annually, we charge a one-off payment to cover the cost of the entire course. Please note that you are able to pay fees in various currencies, however all fees are converted to, and charged in Euros.
There is no application fee for this programme.
There are payment plans available for this programme, so you can pay your course fee in 3, 6 or 12 monthly instalments.
Scholarships maybe available for this programme, see our FAQ page.
Teaching & Assessment
The programme is delivered through our innovative hybrid teaching model, combining online learning with opportunities for live support. Students will undergo an intensive 2-day workshop at the start of their programme, followed by regular one-to-one sessions (usually weekly meetings) with their supervisor throughout the duration of their course.
Modules:
Introduction & Academic/Research Skills
Reflection on Practice
Educational Philosophy
Literature Review (with submission for publication)
Research Methods; data collection and analysis
Pilot Study (with submission for publication)
Subsequent Study (with submission for publication)
Write-up & Conclusion
Presentation & Viva Skills
Each module is designed to contribute directly to sections of the final thesis, which will be around 80,000 words in length, allowing students to build their research progressively while reflecting on their practice. Formative assessment is based on the completion of modules, and summative assessment will be based on the final thesis. During various phases of the doctoral journey, students will have the opportunity to submit work for publication in academic journals and/or present work in conferences, this will be encouraged by the supervising team, however, publication is not a mandatory requirement of the programme.
Peer collaboration and reflective practice are integral to the learning experience, and students will receive comprehensive feedback and guidance from their supervisors throughout the programme, in addition to engaging with a community of academic researchers. You will work with a named supervisor who will guide and advise you from inception to submission and the oral examination. They will have expertise in your proposed research area so that you can discuss your ideas in tutorial sessions.
Programme Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Swiss School of Business Research, a Switzerland-based university who will confer the doctoral degree upon successful submission of the thesis and completion of the viva assessment. Successful candidiates will have the opportunity to attend a graduation ceremony in Switzerland.