Entry requirements: Normally a Masters degree in Education or a related discipline and professional experience in the area of study
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 7 years
Programme Leader: Dr Bridget Egan
Telephone +44 (0) 1962 827474
Email Bridget.Egan@winchester.ac.uk
If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.5 (including 6.5 in academic writing) or a TOEFL score of 575 (paper-based) or 232 (computer-based) or equivalent
Start dates: September, January and July
Application process: Contact the Programme Leader for more information
Leading Educational Practice in Professional Settings is the pathway for practitioners in educational fields who have responsibility for supporting the work of colleagues (for example, as subject coordinator in a primary school, as head of department in a secondary school, or as training manager in other professions or in business). It offers students the opportunity to explore in depth aspects of practice in their areas of expertise, the management of change in practice, or managing the learning and development of colleagues.
Creative and Cultural Education is the pathway for those engaged in education related to cultural issues (such as religious education, personal and social education or community development) or creative aspects (for example, teachers engaged in music, art or drama education or museum educators, or other educators working in non-school settings). It enables students to focus on an aspect of practice or learning in the creative mode – with other practitioners or with students of any age.
Thesis
Students explore a self-chosen topic and write a thesis, normally focused on an aspect of practice and involving empirical as well as theoretical approaches. Students are supported by a supervisory team who oversee and encourage their development of the doctoral thesis. The thesis is examined by viva voce with an internal and an external examiner.
Modules include:
• Quantitative Methods in Social Research
• Qualitative Methods in Social Research
• Theory, Practice and Ethics in Social Research
• Reflecting on and Evaluating Practice
• Leading Educational Practice in Professional Settings
• Cultural and Creative Practice in Education
There are workshops and seminars designed to develop underpinning research skills. Students are part of ongoing online and face-to face discussions with tutors and
other doctoral students. Students engage with a range of activities, focusing on their particular area of interest, but addressing generic skills for research and knowledge exchange. Students work independently with tutorial support towards their eventual thesis, for example by carrying out a pilot study or by developing more advanced skills in data collection and analysis.
Employers in education and elsewhere recognise doctoral qualifications as an indicator of high quality performance and it may lead to opportunities for promotion.