If you are responsible for leading learning in your organisation, whether it’s a school, college, higher education institution or as an educator in the public or private sector, this doctoral-level programme is a fantastic opportunity to study education at a deep level and relate this back to your own practice. The EdD helps you expand your knowledge and understanding of how education works and allows you to transform your own practice.

This EdD programme helps you expand your knowledge and understanding of how education works, allows you to transform your own practice, and makes an original contribution to knowledge. This doctoral-level programme is a fantastic opportunity to study education at a deep level and relate this back to your own practice.

• Focus on the nature of professional practice, making it more than just a modular PhD
• Diversity in student backgrounds, allowing for comparisons between policy and practice across different areas.
• Assessment includes assignments that induct students into a research community, encouraging conference presentations and journal submissions.

The Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) offers students in Hong Kong and surrounding areas the opportunity to study locally with a combination of face-to-face and distance delivery by the partnered university's staff. This unique program includes a flying faculty aspect in the first two years, providing a blend of structured and independent learning. The program is designed for anyone involved in an educative role within a professional discipline, focusing on understanding and developing learning in a professional context.

The EdD program comprises 180 credits awarded through credit-rated modules and 360 credits for doctoral research assessed by a thesis. The structured approach in the early stages includes modules on professional practice, policy implications, research methods, and professional communities. In the later stages, students work independently with a supervisory team to develop their own research projects, making an original contribution to knowledge. The program is ideal for those juggling study with a busy professional life, offering support and a cohort of peers from various professional practices.

Distinctive features of the program include its focus on the nature of professional practice, making it more than just a modular PhD. It is open to professionals from various disciplines with an educational focus, including business, industry, and third-sector organizations. The program's strength lies in its diversity, allowing for comparisons between policy and practice across different areas. The assessment includes assignments that induct students into a research community, encouraging conference presentations and journal submissions.

Aims and objectives of the course

The Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) aims to support the further development of experienced professionals, who will normally already have completed studies at master’s level or equivalent.

1. On completion of the Professional Doctorate in Education, student will be able to demonstrate:
2. a comprehensive understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an area of professional practice.
3. autonomous strategic decision making that drive the development of new knowledge in highly abstract and complex learning, work, and practice contexts.
4. the ability to conceptualise, design, implement and adapt a research project related to professional practice, which generates new knowledge at the forefront of the discipline.
5. a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry leading to professional change.
6. highly advanced awareness of ethical and professional values and codes of conduct.
7. comprehensively organised and communicated new and highly advanced information in highly complex contexts, using criteria at the forefront of knowledge, and of a quality that merits publication.

To do this, the programme will develop conceptual knowledge and research capacity that will enable students to:

• make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data. 
• to communicate your ideas and new highly advanced information clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.
• develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary to lead professional thinking in complex and unpredictable situations.

Recording of the information seminar on 22 November 2024.

 

Application Code	2270-EN028A	Apply Online Now
Apply Online Now

Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

This is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry. Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

 

Part one, year 1 and 2 - Taught stage (180 credits)

Part one is the modular stage of the programme and spans two years. You cover four modules, including evidence and education policy, professional learning, researching education practice as social research and the thesis proposal. These modules are assessed by written assignments and presentations. They are fitting for a research community, such as: a paper for submission to a journal; a conference paper with associated presentation and rationale; a small-scale research project to explore methodological issues; or a traditional essay.

Core modules

Evidence and Education Policy (EDD801HK - 60 credits)

Students will consider the influence of policy discourses on the education aspects of their particular professional disciplines. Discourses will be compared over time and across professional and cultural contexts. Evidence for policy development and implementation will be examined. The ways in which various groups are privileged and marginalised by different discourses will be considered, as will the links between policy, systems, working practices and professional identities. Module assessment has two parts: 1) a 5,000-word assignment and 2) an alternative presentation  (for example, seminar, blog, narrated PP).

Professional Learning (EDD802HK - 30 credits)

This module critically evaluates models of professionalism and professional learning set within the context of theories of expertise. It argues that for genuine organisational improvement, strategies and approaches must evolve from practitioners themselves. Models, approaches and the many issues surrounding practitioner research are explored. Module assessment contains a 5,000-word assignment.

Researching Educational Practice as Social Research (EDD803HK - 60 credits)

Students will develop a theoretical frame for their doctoral research by looking at social theories and their ontological and epistemological basis and relating them to the field in which they are and their own research interests.  They will consider how and why people do research and examine methodologies, approaches and methods, particularly in an applied practitioner research context. Students develop skills to design, conduct, analyse, write up and critically evaluate research. Module assessment has two parts: 1) a 5,000-word assignment and 2) an alternative presentation  (for example, seminar, blog, narrated PP).

Professional Doctorate in Education Thesis Proposal (EDD804HK - 30 credits)

The focus of this module is the preparation of a project proposal which identifies the area of study and methodology for students’ thesis research. Students build on their own work on the programme thus far to develop a plan for a project which has the conceptual and methodological potential to generate new knowledge at the forefront of the discipline. Module assessment contains a 6,000-word proposal and viva voce.

 

Part two, from year 3 - Thesis stage (360 credits)

Part two is the thesis stage of the programme and spans up to three years. The average span is 24 months.

You stay connected with termly workshops during the first years of part two, then, in the final year, you present a thesis of up to 50,000 words, assessed through a viva voce exam. The thesis comprises a substantial piece of original research into an area of practice of your own choosing, through which you make an original contribution to knowledge.

 

Examples of potential research areas

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Policy
• Teacher Education
• Special Education
• Higher Education
• Educational Psychology

EDD801HK Evidence and Education Policy (60 credits)

Scheduled Activities	Hours
Lectures/Seminars (in person in Hong Kong)*	12
Lectures/Seminars (virtual)	60
Directed study	80
Independent research	448
Total	600

 

EDD802HK Professional Learning (30 credits)

Scheduled Activities	Hours
Lectures/Seminars (in person in Hong Kong)*	12
Lectures/Seminars (virtual)	28
Directed study	40
Independent research	220
Total	300

 

EDD803HK Researching Education Practice as Social Research (60 credits)

Scheduled Activities	Hours
Lectures/Seminars (in person in Hong Kong)*	12
Lectures/Seminars (virtual)	68
Directed study	80
Independent research	440
Total	600

 

EDD804HK Professional Doctorate in Education thesis proposal (30 credits)

Scheduled Activities	Hours
Lectures/Seminars (in person in Hong Kong)*	12
Lectures/Seminars (virtual)	18
Directed study	30
Independent research	240
Total	300

 

*Classroom location: HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) Campus, or Kowloon East Campus

 

Application Fee

HK$200 (Non-refundable)

Course Fee

• Total fee: HK$271,980.00 (estimated based on 4-year of study)
  
  [Taught stage]
  Year 1: 2 installments of HK$45,330 + HK$22,665
  Year 2: 2 installments of HK$45,330 + HK$22,665
  
  [Thesis stage]
  Year 3: HK$67,995
  Year 4: HK$67,995
  Year 5: HK$67,995 (if required)
  Year 6: To be determined by Doctoral College.
  
  *Tuition fees will be reviewed annually and subject to change.

Potential applicant's qualities

• Potential to study at the doctoral level, typically indicated by a master's degree, but strong professional experience may also be considered.
• Ability to work collaboratively in exploring and developing experience and ideas.
• Working in a professional context where responsible for supporting learning, or having appropriate and extensive experience.
• Strong commitment to educational enquiry and critical reflection on practice as a means of professional learning.
• Accreditation for prior certificated learning (APCL) up to 120 credits, normally for work completed at the master's or doctoral level within the last five years.
• Accreditation for prior experiential learning (APEL) may be considered in exceptional cases.
• Identification of a proposed field of research within the broad field of education at the application stage.
• GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at Grade C or above.
• Meeting the University English Language requirements for postgraduate research programs.

 

Online Application Apply Now

Application Form Application form for the Professional Doctorate in Education programme and the guidance notes

Enrolment Method

 

Application procedure

The application includes the submission of academic qualifications (certified colour copy of your Undergraduate and Master's degree certificates and transcripts of subjects studied), a short curriculum vitae, references from two referees (preferably one academic reference and one professional reference from current/past employer), one piece of research writing from a previous Master's degree study, latest English language assessment results (no more than three years), a research statement of 1,000 words and a personal statement of 800 words.

Applicants who obtained their university degrees from an EMI institution in Hong Kong may attend an English proficiency assessment (Cambridge Linguaskill General) organised by HKU SPACE for assessment of their current English proficiency if they cannot provide their recent public English language assessment results as required by the University of Plymouth. A Linguaskill test fee may apply.

Qualified candidates should have achieved a Cambridge Linguaskill General average score of 176 or above with no band score of each skill (listening, reading, speaking, writing) lower than 161 (equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or above and IELTS 5.5).

Applicants who have passed the initial assessment will be invited for an interview by the EdD admission team of the University of Plymouth.

 

Application submission

If you have decided to study the University of Plymouth EdD programme at HKU SPACE, please click the APPLY NOW button at the top right hand side of this programme page to inform us the start of your application procedure. After that, please follow the guidance notes attached at the back of the application form for the documents required to be submitted with your application.

Once you have completed the application form and have all supporting documents ready, please zip them and send the file to edd@hkuspace.hku.hk for vetting and arranging interview.

 

Application Form

The application form is largely self-explanatory but requires you to write a personal statement/research proposal. For the EdD you can write as you choose, but please include information about the following:

• Why you are interested in the EdD and its focus on professional practice and, specifically, why you are interested in it over and above a PhD.
• What the focus of your research is likely to be. Note that we do not expect you to know this in detail at this stage, and you will be able to refine/alter the focus later, under guidance. However, candidates will only be accepted on the basis that we are able to supervise their likely topic effectively. Please take time to look at the Institute of Education web pages, which will give you an idea of the areas we support.
• Your current professional situation and what it is about this situation that makes it mutually compatible with the EdD.
• Why, and how, you think you are capable of undertaking work at doctoral level (showing what you understand this to imply) and of undertaking a large piece of original research.
• Your application should help us to know whether you are capable of working at the level that the EdD demands, that you are willing to become part of a cohort of mutually supportive professionals and that you are able to commit yourself sufficiently to what is an exciting, but very demanding and time-consuming endeavour, over an extended period of time.

 

Downloads

• Application form for the Professional Doctorate in Education programme and the guidance notes
• Application for Cambridge Linguaskill General English assessment. (The test results will be copied to programme admission team with your consents.)

 

 

Payment Method

Welcome to the HKU SPACE - University of Plymouth partnership programmes

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

The University of Plymouth (UoP) is one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. Their vision is to be “a broad-based, research-intensive university, open to all who can benefit from a University of Plymouth education, and delivering excellent interdisciplinary research, experiential education and civic engagement.