OVERVIEW

In an era of disruptive innovation in education, the Doctor of Education (EdD) programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) provides a lifelong learning opportunity for those who are committed to education practice with passion and purpose. The programme supports students’ aspirations to synergise theory with practice, play a role in transforming education for the future, and explore possibilities for achieving such transformation in both the Chinese and global contexts. The programme adopts an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach while concurrently developing students’ academic ability and professional expertise. This research-based, practice-oriented programme enables students to think critically about how to address challenges and how to play a leading role in shaping education for the future.

Why Is EdD at XJTLU Your Best Choice?

• You can earn a doctorate from the University of Liverpool and get an internationally acclaimed education without travelling outside of China. This degree is also accredited by China’s Ministry of Education.
• This programme is conducted in a blended way, combining online and onsite lectures and tutorials for a flexible learning schedule.
• Every year, you are provided with opportunities to participate in hundreds of conferences and events hosted by XJTLU. These events allow you to socialise with other EdD candidates and be a part of a unique community that strengthens lifelong learning.
• Your learning experience is further enriched by various teaching methods, such as classroom brainstorming, case studies, workshops, lectures, study tours in China and other countries, field visits to different cities, and president-entrepreneurial forums. These sessions are designed to enhance teacher-student interactions, group collaboration, and work-integrated learning, which can help you develop global perspectives and improve your leadership competencies.
• This programme capitalises on the robust ecosystem built by XJTLU’s Academy of Future Education. You will engage with people who share your commitment to innovation in education, including elementary and middle school teachers, vocational leaders, and university professors and administrators.
• After being admitted into this programme, you will have two supervisors, one from XJTLU and the other from the University of Liverpool. As education researchers and practitioners, they will broaden your horizons about how to learn and teach in the global context.

MODULES

• Core Modules

  Year 1

  Engaging with Educational Literature (10 credits)

  Educational Research: Theory and Practice (10 credits)

  Year 2

  Conducting Quantitative Research (10 credits)

  Conducting Qualitative Research (10 credits)

  Year 3

  Advanced Educational Research Studies (20 credits)

  Years 4- 5.5

  Research Thesis (120 credits)

  Total credits for graduation: 180

TIMETABLE

YEAR 1-2 COURSEWORK, ONLINE-ONSITE BLENDED TEACHING AND LEARNING

Each semester, regular face-to-face lectures and onsite case studies will be conducted in different Chinese cities to supplement online teaching and satisfy students’ practical needs.

YEAR 3 RESEARCH STUDIES

You will be supported to confirm a supervisor who shares your research interest at the end of the first semester of the third year at XJTLU and a supervisor from the University of Liverpool at the end of the second semester.

From the third year on, you will regularly engage with your supervisors until you complete your thesis.

YEAR 4-5.5 THESIS

Effective communication with your supervisors is advised throughout this phase to ensure you meet the programme requirements.

FEES

The EdD programme can be completed in a minimum of four and a half years, depending on students’ progress. During the first four academic years, students will pay 80,000 RMB per year. In the fifth academic year (half a year, or the ninth semester), students will pay 40,000 RMB. After four and a half years, when students register, they will be required to pay the registration fee as needed.

CAREERS

The EdD programme is designed for experienced education professionals who seek to advance their academic and career prospects with a global perspective. Graduates of the programme can pursue a range of jobs and careers, including but not limited to:

• Leaders and administrators in various educational contexts (universities, vocational colleges, primary and secondary schools, and kindergartens);
• Practice-oriented researchers;
• Academic staff;
• Managers in private educational institutions;
• Education department managers in corporate organisations;
• Managers in non-governmental organisations with a focus on education; and
• Managers in educational administrative departments.

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT

Must have a Master’s degree. Students with a Master’s degree in education, psychology, leadership, intercultural communication, or other relevant social science field are preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE/OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have acquired at least four years of full-time experience in the education sector (or equivalent) and aspire to be leaders in education.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

All applicants applying for the EdD programme must demonstrate that they are competent in the use of English language and satisfy the University’s requirements. You will need to provide evidence of your level of English proficiency.

• IELTS academic 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component), or
• TOEFL iBT 100 (with L 21 R 21 W 21 and S 23), or
• PTE Academic 69 (with minimum scores of 61 in each component).

*We do not accept MyBest Scores of TOEFL iBT or a combination of test scores taken at different times for any accepted English proficiency tests.

Please note this is only valid for two years from the test report date to the start date of the programme. If you are unsure about the requirements or which test scores are accepted, please contact the Admissions Team at doctoralstudies@xjtlu.edu.cn for clarification.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS

You will qualify for an exemption from the English language requirement if one of the following applies to you:

• You are a national of a majority English-speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration;
• You have completed, or are completing, a degree at XJTLU or in the following countries or territories (excluding Chinese joint-venture programmes): Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Overseas Territories, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, or the USA.

Please note this exemption is only valid for two years from the date of the degree award to the start date of the doctoral programme.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Make sure you have prepared the following supporting documents to upload onto the application system. All documents should be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. Please note that the size limit for each document is 2MB.

Required documents:

– University degree certificates (both Master’s and bachelor’s);

– Verification report of degree certificates (for Chinese students only, both Master’s and bachelor’s);

• An online verification report of higher education qualification certificates from China Higher Education Student Information if the degree was obtained from a Chinese university
• A certification from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange if the degree was obtained abroad or in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macao

– Full academic transcripts of university studies and grading system (both Master’s and bachelor’s);

– Certificates of English language qualifications (IELTS or equivalent);

– Personal statement: Applicants should provide a 1,200-1,500-word statement summarising the research concentration they would like to conduct if admitted to the EdD programme and how they believe the programme would enhance their professional development;

– Curriculum vitae (CV) including information about education, work experiences, projects, research outputs, awards, etc.;

– Two formal reference letters: one academic and one professional. The reference letters must bear the official letterhead of your referee’s workplace and their handwritten signature. The letter should be recently issued and serve the purpose of your EdD application; and

– A copy of your national ID card (for Chinese students only), or copies of your passport information page and Mainland travel permit (for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan students only), or a copy of your passport information page (for international students only).

Please note that XJTLU reserves the right to request additional documents to assess your academic qualifications for the programme.