Education EdD: Online distance learning
This online distance learning programme offers a professionally relevant and academically rigorous opportunity for advanced study in education. The programme is designed for professionals at all levels in education, training and development, and in education-related fields.
- EdD (online): 5 years part-time; Thesis of 50,000-60,000 words
Computer requirements for studying online
Broadband internet connection
- 3 mbps or higher
Internet Browsers
Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:
Desktop:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge
- Internet Explorer
Mobile:
- MobileSafari
- Google Chrome
For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.
Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser
Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:
- Internet Explorer 10 and below
- Safari 7 and below
Computer specifications
- Processor: 2GHz
- Operating system (minimum):
- Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
- Windows 7
- Mac OS X v10.4.11+
- Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
- Hard disk: 300GB
- Sound card and microphone
- Speakers or headphones
- Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher
Mobile device specifications
- iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
- Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome
Other software
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
- Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
- Anti-virus software
Advised hardware / software
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
- Webcam
Overview
Our doctorate is comparable to a PhD in terms of scale and rigour. It differs in that it provides a structured programme of advanced study in the first three years that is relevant to your profession as an educator and focused on the inter-relationship of research, policy and practice.
We focus on collaborative learning, drawing on your own experiences and those of your academic colleagues.
This programme will give you the skills and confidence to further advance your career to the highest levels in education and education-related fields.
Study options
EdD
Duration: 5 years part-time
Years 1, 2 and 3
You will take six core courses (one per semester). Each requires attendance and participation in a study weekend in Glasgow.
- Critical reflection in professional learning and practice
- Education policy
- Educational futures
- Ethics and education
- Open studies one: Advancing research methods
- Open studies two: Applying research methods
Years 4 and 5
You will work towards the submission of a dissertation of 50,000 to 60,000 words, supported by an appropriate supervisory team.
Progressing at a normal pace, successful candidates can complete the Doctorate in five years. However, we realise that circumstances occasionally mean participants need to take a break from studies and the programme allows candidates to suspend their studies for a limited time period.
Entry requirements
Our regular standard of admission is usually a Master's degree at Merit or a Master's degree.
Typically, a minimum of five years of professional experience in education or related fields is required. However, please contact the programme team if this not the case and you still wish to apply.
Required documents
Applicants should submit:- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
Please submit a sample of your academic-style writing, such as a project, assignment or a dissertation, as part of your application.
Your Research Proposal should be 2 pages maximum. This proposal is only an indication of your potential area of research interest at this early stage.
For ‘Named Supervisor’ please use the name of the Programme Leader (details found under “How to Apply” then “Contact Us”).
Please contact the programme team if your academic profile does not meet our usual requirements but you would like us to consider other factors, such as extensive or senior professional experience.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level.
Accepted English language tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (Including MyBest and Home Edition)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 100 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 104 overall with no subtest less than Writing at 5.5 and all other subtests no less than 5
Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 70 overall with no subtest less than Reading 65; Listening 64; Speaking 78; Writing 72
- We do not accept the online PTE Academic
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 185 overall, no subtest less than 185
Oxford ELLT
- 8 overall with no subtest less than 8
LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online
- 75 overall no subtest less than 75
Password Skills Plus
- 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 105 overall with no subtest less than 105
Kaplan Test of English
- No subtest less than 510
PSI Skills for English
- C1 Pass
Duolingo English Test
- 130 overall with Writing at 145 and no subtest less than 130
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 146 overall with no subtest less than 146
Alternatives to English language qualification
Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- Students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.
- Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2026/27
UK
- Part-time fee: £4,362
International & EU
- Part-time fee: £9,312
Fees are based on the annual fee for part-time study.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.
Possible additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Support
The College of Social Sciences Graduate School draws together internationally recognised scholars and respected practitioners to offer a range of research programmes. Our programmes are based on thorough training in research methods and we encourage you to take part in numerous exciting seminars, conferences and events.
How to apply
Supervisors
All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring in the dissertation stage of the EdD. You are not required to identify a potential supervisor in advance of your application.
Required documents
- Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
- CV
- Research Proposal
- Two References
Contact us
- Academic contact: Kevin.Proudfoot@glasgow.ac.uk
- If you have any questions about your application before you apply: contact the School of Education
- If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
- Any references may be submitted by email to: pg-research-admissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International Students
- Advice on visa, immigrations and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) can be found on our International student pages
Induction
- Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community