Course overview
This is an intensive course of study, which will lead you to a professional doctorate degree in Education. You’ll undertake coursework and applied research, leading to a dissertation.
You’ll conduct applied research in an area of your choice, such as school leadership, teacher professional learning, student learning, Aboriginal education, educational technologies, curriculum design, early childhood education, tertiary and adult education, education policy and sociology of education, to name a few.
You’ll be assigned a supervisor who will help you to develop an approved plan of study to suit your area of specialisation. You will have the chance to meet with your supervisor on-campus, or work with them remotely.
3 reasons to study a Doctor of Education at Murdoch
1. Be mentored by our experienced education professionals to become an innovative, independent and effective researcher.
2. Develop research skills by undertaking a research-based project in an area of interest.
3. Enjoy the challenge of exploring a research topic of your choice and contributing to knowledge in the field.
What you’ll learn
Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:
- Introduction to research for educators
- Mixed methods and quantitative research
- Advanced qualitative approaches to research
- Research in education
Your future career
You’ll graduate qualified for high-level professional roles in the education and community sector. Careers could include:
- Head of Department
- School Leader
- Program Leader or Designer
- Advisor to Government
- University Lecturer/Tutor
- Instructional Designer
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | Yes |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | Yes |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | Yes |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Admission requirements
English Requirements
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Not applicable to research courses.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Plan your course
Explore the sample course structure below to get an idea of what your degree could look like, or take the next step in planning your degree:
Use the Course Visualiser - build your personalised study plan interactively
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|
Fees & Scholarships
Fees
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Scholarships
How to Apply
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View all ways to apply
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All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.
The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.
For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.
Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.
The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.
The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.
All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.