FAQ
This article outlines:
- key milestones
- support available, and
- frequently asked questions (FAQ)
to help students navigate their journey from induction to final submission and transfer to Stage 2 (Research) of their programme.
Refer to the following sources of information:
Prospectus page: Doctor of Education | York St John University. Here students will find:
- a brief overview of the course
- course structure information
- teaching and assessment details, and
- information on fees.
Programme specification (select the relevant year of entry to access the correct programme specification): Postgraduate | York St John University
Regulations for Professional Doctorate Awards: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/registry/regulations/4.Regulations-Professional-Doctorate-Awards-202425.pdf
Programme Handbook – available via the Programme page on Moodle: Course: Professional Doctorates Programmes (Doctor of Education) | Moodle
Module specifications (select the relevant year of entry and go to the Children, Young People and Education subject area level 8 modules): Module documents | York St John University
Reading lists (also available on Moodle):
Course contact:
Course Lead: Professor Tom Dobson t.dobson@yorksj.ac.uk
How to contact the Student Hub HELP team
If you need help or want to speak with someone, you can:
- ONLINE: Use the Student Hub portal to get in touch at https://studenthub.yorksj.ac.uk/.
- IN PERSON (HELP team) - York Campus: Visit the Student Hub in the Holgate Building. London Campus: Visit the Student Hub on the 3rd floor of the Export Building.
- BY PHONE: Call us on 01904 876 500.
Induction and getting started on Stage 1
When the applicant has been offered a place on the programme, and completed their enrolment, they will receive an email invitation to attend an induction online.
The Doctor of Education (EdD) induction to Stage 1 is normally held on a Saturday in February. During the induction, the applicant will have the opportunity to:
- meet the EdD team
- get acquainted with fellow students, and
- gain a better understanding of the programme's expectations and resources.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Stage 1
The programme aims and learning outcomes are derived from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Characteristics Statement Doctoral Degree (2020): Characteristics Statement: Doctoral Degree
In Stage 1, students will need to attend 2 ‘residentials’ each year. These are essential in-person gatherings that help build their learning community and provide focused, face-to-face engagement with their tutors and peers.
Students will study four 45-credit modules (2 in each of the first 2 years).
Each module is assessed by a written assignment of around 5,000 to 8,000 words, tailored to the student’s professional interests and context. All assessments are graded on a pass/fail basis. The student must pass all 4 modules to move on to Stage 2 of the programme.
If a student does not pass a module the first time, they will be allowed to resubmit, in line with University’s taught degree regulations. However, they will need to pass all 4 modules and successfully complete the transfer process before they can begin Stage 2.
Students’ assessments will be closely aligned to their own educational context and interests. This means that they can apply what they are learning directly to their professional practice, making their work both meaningful and relevant.
Residentials – timetabled sessions
In Stage 1, the student will attend 2 residentials a year for 2 years. Each module will be taught through a mixture of:
- face-to-face contact at the residentials, and
- distance learning through a virtual learning environment.
The residentials will include a total of around 30 hours contact time, split between formal teaching and informal meeting, including organised meals and social gatherings. The taught sessions will include lectures, seminars and open discussion.
Between residentials, students will have access to tutors via email, telephone or online, as well as using the University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - Moodle.
Residentials are timetabled during the North Yorkshire half term weeks in February and May. Please refer to the information on the North Yorkshire Council website for dates: School term and holiday dates | North Yorkshire Council
Transfer Interview – final step of Stage 1
When the student has completed and passed the 4 compulsory taught modules, they will need to begin planning Stage 2 of their programme in discussion with their likely supervisor(s). They will need to complete and submit, via Moodle, the following documentation:
Research proposal (5,000 word proposal)
To begin Stage 2, students need to present a research proposal to a panel consisting of one or more of their likely supervisors and an independent chair. The aim is to show that their project will enable them to meet the required learning outcomes for this award:
- the creation and interpretation of new knowledge related to a specific profession, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of knowledge and/or practice within the profession, and merit publication
- a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of professional practice in education; the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems
- a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
Pre-transfer progress report
This is a document that is presented to the transfer panel. It is completed by:
- the student
- the programme director, and
- the main supervisor.
It acts as evidence that the student has prepared all the necessary documentation, and that the programme director and supervisor are content that they are ready to go before the panel. Students need to complete sections A to C.
Training development needs analysis
This form is intended to help students review their development as a researcher and, in particular, to identify areas where they may need additional training. They should complete this with their supervisor, identifying any particular training they will need as they start Stage 2.
This must be signed (electronic is acceptable) and dated by the student and their supervisor before submitting it with their proposal.
Students should submit the documentation via the Course: Professional Doctorates Programmes (Doctor of Education) | Moodle. Transfer Panels will take place, thereafter, depending on people’s availability, but all should be completed by February in the 3rd year of their study.
The Transfer Panel
The panel consists of a chair (someone outside the supervision team) and one or more supervisors. It is not entirely equivalent to a PhD ‘Transfer Panel’ (where supervisors can be present but cannot take part), and more like an interview panel for a PhD application.
The student will be asked to do a short (5 to 10 minutes) presentation on their proposal and then questioned about their proposed research. This is an opportunity to show their wider thinking on the project / area, and their ability to respond to the ideas of others.
The panel should last 45mins -1hr. If the panel thinks that the student's proposal has serious flaws, further discussion will be had to address this.
Outcome
After interview, the panel will let the student know what they will recommend to the Research Degrees Sub Committee. Prior to recommending an award, further suggestions may be made with regards to document adjustments. A copy of the post transfer report will be available to the student on Moodle as feedback.
Getting started on PGR Stage 2 (research stage)
Following the student’s successful completion of the Transfer, they will now enter Stage 2 - the research thesis phase - of their programme. They will need to follow the rules for PhDs in terms of supervision and record keeping. There will be an induction morning in January, where students learn more about the processes that lie ahead.
Refer to the following resources of information:
Research degree policies: Research degrees | York St John University
Stage 2 contact:
Student supervisors are allocated after the Stage 1 Transfer Interview. These will be a range of supervisors with extensive expertise from the School of Education, Language and Psychology, but also those from across the University, to support the student throughout the doctoral thesis.
Email the PGR School at pgrschool@yorksj.ac.uk with any queries about the process.
Accessing progress monitoring tools
Stage 2 (PGR stage) includes regular progress monitoring and supervision meetings, which are essential components of the student’s academic journey.
All progress monitoring and supervision meeting reports are completed online via E:Vision.
To access the relevant forms:
- Log in to E:Vision.
- Select the Postgraduate Research tab.
- Navigate to the appropriate section depending on your task (for example - "Manage Events").
User guides are available for download within the E:Vision platform to assist you through the process.
Setting up your first supervision meeting
If you have not done so already, please contact your supervisory team to arrange your first supervision meeting.
After the meeting:
- Log in to e:Vision.
- Under the Postgraduate Researcher tab, select Manage Events.
- Click on Supervisor Meeting to complete and submit your Supervision Meeting Report.
- Submit the report to your supervisor for review and approval.
Annual review meetings
You are required to participate in annual review meetings until your thesis is submitted.
Before each review meeting:
- Complete your Progress Report in e:Vision.
- Submit your answers for your supervisor to complete their section.
- The Chair of your review meeting will complete a final report.
This final report is then forwarded to the School PGR Lead for approval.
Tracking and accessing reports
You can:
- Track the status of all reports.
- View and download submitted reports at any time via the eVision portal.
For more information, please contact the Programme Administration and Support Service (PASS) team.
How to contact the PASS team
If you would like to raise a query, you can:
- Log a query via the Student Hub portal at https://studenthub.yorksj.ac.uk/.
- Go to the Student Hub in person and log a query with the HELP team: The York Campus Student Hub is located in the Holgate Building.
- Call the Student Hub by telephone on 01904 876 500.
If you would like to meet with a member of the PASS team, please raise a case via the Student Hub portal. We will arrange either an in-person or MS Teams meeting as soon as possible.