In 2008 I joined the Staffordshire University Masters in Education programme which was originally delivered in Birmingham City Centre. In 2009 it transferred back to the Stoke campus, which I actually preferred as I felt a part of the University and was able to use the facilities etc. Prior to the Masters in 2007 I had spent a year at Coventry University and I had enjoyed the research and completing assignments. This enjoyment was ultimately what led me onto the Masters. Dr. Vigurs at Staffordshire University had mentioned Doctoral level study to me during the second half of the Masters programme. I am extremely grateful for her continual encouragement and support.
At that time a Doctorate did not seem achievable to someone who had not followed the straight academic route. It was a step beyond anything I had ever imagined. However, being immersed in the research, taking in all of the new knowledge, making connections and synthesising the information was stimulating. This was about to end. So whilst working through my dissertation findings, analysis and writing up of my Masters, I decided to consider a Doctorate. My initial consideration was a PhD as this was what a Doctorate normally meant to me.
My local authority position was nearing redundancy, so I considered a full-time PhD, as opposed to part-time study, which would take me 6 years. I am from Stoke, but live in Warwickshire and decided to consider Universities closer to my home. I decided to apply on a full-time basis and with information, support and encouragement from Dr. Vigurs, I looked for full-time funded positions.
I worked through research proposals for both Warwick and Leicester Universities in April 2011, whilst fully immersed in the dissertation stage of the Masters. There were other opportunities at Chester etc. but I discounted them, due to the distance. I drew upon the work I had performed in the Research Methods Module from my Masters, to formulate the research proposals. In due course I learned that I had a place at both of these Universities, but I did not have the funding.
I met with Dr. Vigurs to review my situation and we discussed the options at Staffordshire University. At the time I did not know much about the EdD and how it compared to the PhD. I was ready to start the PhD, I had done my proposal and was probably quite fired up, to get started.
I became to understand that the 1st year of the EdD would include modules which would set the foundation and account for 20k. Each module was 5000 words and would cover aspects including policy, theory, research proposal and pilot study. The 2nd year was the literature review which accounted for 10k and then the remaining 50k in the final 3 years. The fees were diverse between the three universities and I decided to formally apply to Staffs and then to make my decision. In the end I decided to stay with Staffordshire University, as I had enjoyed the Masters. I was swayed by the fact that the taught modules would provide an opportunity to form colleagues, to reduce potential loneliness. I was apprehensive about the first year of the EdD as it felt that I was ready and would have to press pause.
However, the first year was very engaging and assisted to build a support network, that I would not have had in the PhD. I now know that the 1st year was a brilliant foundation for the remaining years. During the 4 modules I created knowledge, skills and understanding that I have recorded in my research diaries and I have brought forward with me, when I have needed it. The way the EdD is arranged into the different years and modules are milestones, which can be ticked off. This helped to focus on the section at hand and avoid being daunted by the Doctorate in its entirety. It is this that has made it more manageable and kept me on track. It assists to record your progress and once ticked off you then focus on the next stage.
I have changed my job within the time that I have been on the EdD. I was made redundant and set up my own company. I work flexibly and devote a huge amount of time to the EdD. There are opportunities to attend seminars, forums and events which I have been able to do, in my flexible working. As researchers on the EdD we have shared our research with colleagues and peers within a safe environment, which saw me amend my original focus to make the research more relevant to me. There is a bonus in knowing your research area from the outset and the focus you select during the modules can build upon this. However, the first year is a time to define this focus and people change jobs or issues arise which may impact on the research focus.
At the start of the 2nd year I was allocated my supervisors (Dr. Kim Slack and Dr. Katy Vigurs) and I met with them every 2 weeks during the 6-7 months that I was undertaking my literature review (April – November). I read widely and would discuss my thoughts in relation to the review. I would also email and send updates and believe that I was given a huge amount of support. The University had made links across cohorts with events such as a ‘Winter Picnic’, which has seen me connect with colleagues from cohorts above and below me. I also attended the Postgraduate Research Conference and other events, which has assisted to build a network of peers.
I am now in the 3rd year and have been encouraged to join BERA, SRHE and attended conferences, networks and seminars. I continue to be supported by my supervisors.
I read two books on getting a PhD whilst applying for a PhD. The 'PhD Companion' I found useful. However, main elements such as choosing a topic that you are passionate about and one that will be useful to the University or other people are relevant, whether you chose to do a PhD or the EdD.
At that time a Doctorate did not seem achievable to someone who had not followed the straight academic route. It was a step beyond anything I had ever imagined. However, being immersed in the research, taking in all of the new knowledge, making connections and synthesising the information was stimulating. This was about to end. So whilst working through my dissertation findings, analysis and writing up of my Masters, I decided to consider a Doctorate. My initial consideration was a PhD as this was what a Doctorate normally meant to me.
My local authority position was nearing redundancy, so I considered a full-time PhD, as opposed to part-time study, which would take me 6 years. I am from Stoke, but live in Warwickshire and decided to consider Universities closer to my home. I decided to apply on a full-time basis and with information, support and encouragement from Dr. Vigurs, I looked for full-time funded positions.
I worked through research proposals for both Warwick and Leicester Universities in April 2011, whilst fully immersed in the dissertation stage of the Masters. There were other opportunities at Chester etc. but I discounted them, due to the distance. I drew upon the work I had performed in the Research Methods Module from my Masters, to formulate the research proposals. In due course I learned that I had a place at both of these Universities, but I did not have the funding.
I met with Dr. Vigurs to review my situation and we discussed the options at Staffordshire University. At the time I did not know much about the EdD and how it compared to the PhD. I was ready to start the PhD, I had done my proposal and was probably quite fired up, to get started.
I became to understand that the 1st year of the EdD would include modules which would set the foundation and account for 20k. Each module was 5000 words and would cover aspects including policy, theory, research proposal and pilot study. The 2nd year was the literature review which accounted for 10k and then the remaining 50k in the final 3 years. The fees were diverse between the three universities and I decided to formally apply to Staffs and then to make my decision. In the end I decided to stay with Staffordshire University, as I had enjoyed the Masters. I was swayed by the fact that the taught modules would provide an opportunity to form colleagues, to reduce potential loneliness. I was apprehensive about the first year of the EdD as it felt that I was ready and would have to press pause.
However, the first year was very engaging and assisted to build a support network, that I would not have had in the PhD. I now know that the 1st year was a brilliant foundation for the remaining years. During the 4 modules I created knowledge, skills and understanding that I have recorded in my research diaries and I have brought forward with me, when I have needed it. The way the EdD is arranged into the different years and modules are milestones, which can be ticked off. This helped to focus on the section at hand and avoid being daunted by the Doctorate in its entirety. It is this that has made it more manageable and kept me on track. It assists to record your progress and once ticked off you then focus on the next stage.
I have changed my job within the time that I have been on the EdD. I was made redundant and set up my own company. I work flexibly and devote a huge amount of time to the EdD. There are opportunities to attend seminars, forums and events which I have been able to do, in my flexible working. As researchers on the EdD we have shared our research with colleagues and peers within a safe environment, which saw me amend my original focus to make the research more relevant to me. There is a bonus in knowing your research area from the outset and the focus you select during the modules can build upon this. However, the first year is a time to define this focus and people change jobs or issues arise which may impact on the research focus.
At the start of the 2nd year I was allocated my supervisors (Dr. Kim Slack and Dr. Katy Vigurs) and I met with them every 2 weeks during the 6-7 months that I was undertaking my literature review (April – November). I read widely and would discuss my thoughts in relation to the review. I would also email and send updates and believe that I was given a huge amount of support. The University had made links across cohorts with events such as a ‘Winter Picnic’, which has seen me connect with colleagues from cohorts above and below me. I also attended the Postgraduate Research Conference and other events, which has assisted to build a network of peers.
I am now in the 3rd year and have been encouraged to join BERA, SRHE and attended conferences, networks and seminars. I continue to be supported by my supervisors.
I read two books on getting a PhD whilst applying for a PhD. The 'PhD Companion' I found useful. However, main elements such as choosing a topic that you are passionate about and one that will be useful to the University or other people are relevant, whether you chose to do a PhD or the EdD.