University of Western Australia

What you'll study

The Doctor of Education is a research doctorate centred on an independent thesis that makes an original contribution to knowledge in an area of education. Candidates develop a focused research question and work with one or more academic supervisors to design and carry out a sustained program of research using appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods.

• Major activity: completion of a substantial research thesis demonstrating originality and rigour.
• Research training: professional development in research design, advanced methodology, ethics, data analysis, and scholarly writing.
• Scholarly engagement: participation in seminars, workshops and research communities; opportunities to publish and present at conferences.
• Interdisciplinarity: potential to connect education research with areas such as Indigenous studies, health, STEM education, policy studies, or digital learning.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant postgraduate qualification with a substantial research component (for example a Master by Research or an honours degree with first-class or upper-second class honours) or have demonstrated equivalent research experience. Professional experience in education, leadership or policy is highly regarded, particularly for candidates pursuing practice-focused projects.

• Academic transcripts and evidence of prior research training or outputs (publications, theses, reports).
• A concise research proposal outlining the intended research question, methodology and contribution to the field.
• Curriculum vitae and referees who can comment on research potential and professional standing.
• Evidence of English language proficiency where applicable, in line with university policy for international candidates.
• Formal admission typically requires identification of a suitable supervisor and confirmation of available supervisory capacity.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Doctor of Education pursue a wide range of senior roles across education systems, research organisations and the broader public and private sectors. The degree prepares candidates for careers that require advanced research expertise, evidence-led leadership and the capacity to shape policy and practice.

• Academic and research roles: university lecturer, researcher, or research fellow in education and related disciplines.
• Senior system leadership: school principal, district or regional director, curriculum and assessment leaders.
• Policy and advisory positions: government education departments, policy institutes and non-government organisations.
• Professional practice and consultancy: curriculum development, professional learning provider, evaluation and impact assessment roles.
• Knowledge translation: roles in program design, implementation science and evidence synthesis for education improvement.

Why study at University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia offers doctoral candidates access to experienced supervisors and a research-intensive environment within a leading Group of Eight university. Candidates benefit from comprehensive postgraduate training programs, statistical and methodological support, and library and research infrastructure.

• Strong regional relevance: opportunities to work on research projects addressing education in Western Australia and with Indigenous communities.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties, enabling projects that bridge education with health, social sciences and STEM.
• Support networks for higher-degree-by-research students, including writing workshops, research seminars and career development services.
• Opportunities for engagement with schools, policy makers and community organisations to ensure research has real-world impact.