Our Research Degrees
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the difference between an EdD and a PhD?
A. The PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and EdD (Doctor of Education) are both supervised research degrees involving the submission of a thesis and a viva voce (oral) examination.
The PhD is awarded entirely on the basis of research, leading to a thesis of up to 100,000 words.The EdD involves taught modules and research, leading to a thesis of up to 50,000 words, and is also called a professional doctorate.
Q. I've heard it's possible to "upgrade" from an MPhil to a PhD, is this true?
A. Yes and no - you can only "upgrade" if you make the decision to pursue a PhD before completion of your Masters, as you will be expected to continue working on the same thesis but in greater depth to achieve a PhD.
Q. Can I stay at home and study for a research degree from the University of Leeds?
A. Yes, we offer a split-site PhD which can be arranged via collaboration between your current employer and the University of Leeds. This is only available for non-EU international students who cannot feasibly study outside their home country.
You will have a supervisor in both institutions and will be required to spend a minimum period of study time in Leeds during the course.
We do not offer the EdD on a split-site basis or by distance learning due to the taught aspects of the course.
Q. What is the Integrated MA & PhD in Education?
A. This is a four-year full-time programme which combines MA studies with a PhD. You can specialize in any of the areas offered by the School. The Integrated MA and PhD programme provides a structured combination of both taught courses and supervised research through which you can develop subject-matter knowledege and research skills related to your chosen area of specialization. For more information, please contact courses@education.leeds.ac.uk.
Q. I have an idea for a research proposal. Can I get feedback on this before I apply?
A. Yes. We welcome contact from prospective students prior to application and are happy to discuss possible research proposals - please contact John Monaghan with initial enquiries. We recommend that you visit our research section before getting in touch, in order to find out if the topic you are interested in researching is one that we can supervise. Advice about what your research proposal should cover is available via our proposal guidelines.