Doctor of Education (Ed.D) – Research Mode

Award Options

To equip senior education practitioners and high-potential individuals with the knowledge, applied, and research skills needed to become executive-level organizational leaders, industry innovators, consultants, and policy makers.
To enable students to plan and conduct research and evaluation studies with a clear purpose to improve educational lives of others and make recommendations to improve future educational practices.

On completion of this programme, students will be able to:

Apply educational organizational theories, management skills, leadership strategies, and data research to transform organizations.
Use self-evaluation, reflection, feedback, and developments in theories and evidence-based practices to improve their ethical practice.
Communicate key education issues effectively and creatively using numerical, graphical, oral, and written skills.
Select, interpret, and apply theories, models, and research to address complex issues in education.
Demonstrate proficiency in applying systematic, vigorous research methodologies, design, and processes when undertaking original research and presenting the thesis in a scholarly manner.

The Research Mode is a ‘Thesis only’ route accruing 120 ECTS credits.

Stage 1: Thesis Preparation
- Thesis Preparation (Research Methodology): Students must undertake an Education Research Methodology module (or be exempted) before commencing their thesis research.
- Thesis Proposal: Students have up to three months to submit a Thesis Proposal for grading and approval (approx. 4,500 – 5,000 words).
- Weighting: 25%
- Duration: 4 months.
Stage 2: Final Thesis
- A supervisor will be assigned to guide the student in completing the Final Thesis.
- The thesis must be between 40,000 to 45,000 words.
- Weighting: 75%
- Duration: 12-18 months.
Stage 3: Oral Defence of Thesis
- A mandatory Viva Voce (oral defence) will be organized after the thesis has been vetted.
- Weighting: N/A

Assessment will be based on the candidate successfully demonstrating achievement of Doctoral-level criteria, including systematic understanding of knowledge, originality in application, and the ability to communicate results in a scholarly manner.
Stage 1: Thesis Proposal is assessed (25% of final grade).
Stage 2: The Final Thesis (75% of final grade) is assessed. The word count is 40,000 to 45,000 words.
Stage 3: A mandatory oral defence (Viva Voce) is required.

An applicant may be admitted on the basis of evidence to suggest that he/she will be able to fulfil and benefit from the objectives of the programme:

A Master’s degree in any field; or other qualifications recognised by IBES as equivalent.
Demonstrate English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS overall band of 6.0 or equivalent). This can also be met by having undertaken a qualification taught and assessed in English.
Students may be exempted from the Research Methodology module through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) if they have already undertaken a similar module.

Blended Delivery: Combines face-to-face supervision and independent study.
Fully Online: Delivered entirely online with virtual supervision and independent learning.
Both modes involve close supervision from a dedicated thesis supervisor.

Maximum Duration: 24 months (for students exempted from taught modules and undertaking Thesis only).
Notional Hours (Total): Approximately 3000 hours.
- Stage 1 (Blended): 520 hours total (250 hours Thesis Preparation, 20 hours face-to-face supervision, 250 hours Thesis Proposal).
- Stage 1 (Online): 515 hours total (250 hours Thesis Preparation, 15 hours online supervision, 250 hours Thesis Proposal).
- Stage 2 (Blended): 2,480 hours total (30 hours face-to-face supervision, 2,450 hours Final Thesis).
- Stage 2 (Online): 2,485 hours total (35 hours online supervision, 2,450 hours Final Thesis).