Doctor of Education
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Education (DEd) at Sunway University’s School of Education (SOE) is designed for educators, policymakers, and industry professionals who want to drive education transformation through innovation, policy influence, and leadership.
This flexible, mixed-mode doctoral programme supports research-focused study with practical, evidence-based problem solving and a structure that includes research methodology, a concept paper seminar, and thesis work.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Advanced Academic Writing
- Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Research
- Educational Research Methodology
- Curriculum Design and Innovation
- Teaching and Learning in Digital Age Environment
- Doctoral Concept Paper (Seminar)
- Thesis
- Educational Management specialisation options including Human Resource Management in Education and Strategic Leadership in Education
- Educational Psychology specialisation options including Learning, Cognition, and Motivation in Psychology and Human Development in Psychology
- Areas of Research in Educational Management including Curriculum Leadership and Instructional Supervision (Leadership-focused) and Educational Law and Policy
- Areas of Research in Educational Psychology including Cognitive Psychology and Learning Processes and Motivation in Education
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 taught modules (compulsory for part-time and full-time) | Advanced Academic Writing | ||
| Advanced Qualitative and Quantitative Research | ||||
| Educational Research Methodology | ||||
| Curriculum Design and Innovation | ||||
| Teaching and Learning in Digital Age Environment | ||||
| Year 2 | 2 taught modules (compulsory for part-time and full-time) plus thesis work | Doctoral Concept Paper (Seminar) | ||
| Thesis | ||||
| Specialisation (as part of the programme research component) | Choose ONE distinctive specialisation track | Educational Management track (research area options include Curriculum Leadership and Instructional Supervision; Educational Law and Policy; Strategic Educational Planning; among others) | ||
| Educational Psychology track (research area options include Cognitive Development; Motivation in Education; Social and Emotional Learning (SEL); among others) |
Career outcomes
- You develop doctorate-level research skills that prepare you for senior academic and education leadership roles such as Academician / Lecturer, School principal, and Head of Department.
- You gain strategic training to move into policy and governance-focused careers, including Education Manager and Head Faculty, where evidence-based decision-making is essential.
- You build practical expertise for education transformation roles like Student Engagement Lead and Student Experience Lead, helping institutions improve teaching and student outcomes.
- You become well-positioned for leadership in schools and education institutions through your applied focus on curriculum innovation and digital-age teaching and learning.
- You strengthen your capability to lead and manage education organisations and initiatives, supporting career progression into school and institutional director-level roles.
- You also develop pathways to professional roles beyond schools, such as Corporate Trainer, using research-informed leadership and learning design skills.
Employability rate
Graduates from education leadership and research pathways at postgraduate doctoral level typically see a strong employment outlook, with an estimated employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22% in Malaysia depending on sector (schools, corporate training, or higher education).
Together, these figures suggest a reasonably stable career outlook for graduates who align their research area with education leadership needs and hiring priorities.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s qualification | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Education (Level 7, MQF) as accepted by the HEP’s Senate, OR other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree accepted by the HEP Senate, OR a Master’s degree in a non-education field with the requirement to complete a prerequisite course. |
Language requirements
International applicants for this Doctor of Education programme must meet the published English language requirement for postgraduate studies. Where the university states that an equivalent English proficiency test is accepted, applicants should submit the relevant official score/score report for assessment.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated total course fee | MYR 59080 / total program | Estimated Total Course Fee (Year 2026): RM59,080 (for Malaysian students). International students must pay fees in RM equivalent; USD shown is an indicative/estimation. |
Proof of financial resources
You will need to show you can fund your studies in Malaysia for this programme. The university publishes an estimated total course fee for international students for the stated year, and you should prepare financial documents accordingly for your student pass process.
- University published estimated total course fee for international students for the programme year (used as your budgeting basis).
- Any additional financial proof requested as part of the Malaysia student pass process must be supported with official documents.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | May - Winter intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | May - Winter intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | May - Winter intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Check eligibility and choose your intake
Review the programme entry requirements and the available intakes before you apply. If you have questions about fit with your background, use the programme contact or preview options mentioned by the university. Prepare your documents for an eligibility check submission so you can respond quickly if follow-up is needed.
Submit documents for an eligibility check
Compile the required documents listed for the Doctor of Education eligibility check. Submit them via the university’s Eligibility Check portal. The university states that it will email you the outcome within 7 working days after submission.
Enrol through the online application after you pass
After you have passed the eligibility check, proceed to enrol using the university’s online enrolment application page. Complete your application fields and ensure your documents are uploaded as required. Follow the instructions in the application flow before your submission is final.