Professional Doctorates

You will normally need:

• a good first degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent in a relevant field
• a Master’s Degree with Merit or Distinction or equivalent professional experience
• if you are an international student you will need a minimum IELTS score (International English Language Testing System) of 7 (with 6.5 in each element) or equivalence

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

In the first two years you will take taught modules, delivered over weekends. These are work-based learning  modules and will be relevant to your practice.  Typically, you will explore underpinning theories through case studies and examples. Assessments at the end of each module, through written articles and reports (between 3,000-5,000 words) will allow you to apply your learned knowledge and demonstrate your understanding. You will have the opportunity to consult with teaching staff and get their feedback before submitting your assessment. This will help you progress through the taught element and develop your research proposal.

In the second two years you will focus on your research and thesis, supported by your tutors and supervisor. Your thesis will be related to your work context. You will be encouraged to
start thinking about your topic in the first year of your studies. The thesis will be 40,000 words. 

You should expect to dedicate around 20 hours per week to your studies.

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

Each taught module is delivered over the course of a single weekend. Teaching is carried out through lectures and smaller seminars and workshops where the emphasis is on discussion.

Your study will take a variety of forms, including face-to-face and online tutorials, lectures and smaller seminars and workshops and written assignments. You will also be well-supported in your independent study and writing of your thesis.

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

The course is delivered in two stages - taught modules then research:

Stage 1 - taught modules (years 1 and 2)

In the first stage you will cover six modules - four research and work context modules and two discipline-specific modules.

The four research and work context modules are:
•    Professionalism in Social Context
•    Evaluating Data in the Professions
•    Connecting Research and Practice
•    Methods of Professional Inquiry

See the individual courses for further details of the two discipline-specific modules - for each of these you will produce a targeted journal article of 5,000 words to publication standard.

Stage 2 - research and thesis (years 3 and 4)

In the second stage you will carry out an original piece of research and present your work as a 40,000 word thesis. This is independent work with the supervision of your principal and secondary supervisor.

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

You can start the course in either April or September.

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

To apply you will need to submit a clear supporting statement.
Your statement should include:

• The area and nature of your proposed research and practice activity - you should give context to your proposal by referencing the published research of other practitioners. 
• Your relevant experience and knowledge in your chosen field.

If your supporting statement demonstrates an appropriate scholarly approach, you will be invited to an interview, either in person or online, in which you will be asked to expand on your research proposal.

If you would like to discuss your application before making a submission or for more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

You will register as a Professional Doctoral student, but if something happens and you are unable to complete the full course there are built in ‘exit points’ which lead to a postgraduate award:

Exit after year 1
If you complete the first year but are unable to continue you will be able to exit from the first year of the taught modules with 100 credits and a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice. 
Exit after year 2
If you complete the second year of taught modules you would have 200 credits and could exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice.
Exit after year 3 or 4
If you exit in Year 3 or 4 you could exit with a MSc in Professional Practice.

For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact: research.degrees@uwl.ac.uk.

The fees are shown on the course pages.