Equal but fundamentally different to a traditional Doctorate of Philosophy degree pathway, our Professional Doctorate pathways, incorporating our generic Professional Doctorate, Doctorate of Business Administration, and Doctorate of Education degrees offer the opportunity for professionals to impact on the world of practice-based research.

 

The multi-disciplinary programme delivery is designed specifically for professionals from any academic discipline to join a cohort where differences and commonalities in professional practice can be used to drive active dialogue and shared learning opportunities in developing knowledge and skills, which are fundamental to research design and methodology, and project management.

 

Three taught modules form the initial part of the programme. Over the first academic year in the taught element, you will study an array of core topics including, research ontology, philosophy and epistemology, framing professional identity, critical reflection and reflexivity, and researcher positionality.

 

In addition to this you will be facilitated in developing skills of critical synthesis and analysis in terms of doctoral academic writing. This will be consolidated by teaching advanced research methodologies, which you will use to justify and consolidate your doctoral research protocol.

 

The course has two block attendance modules in October and April, in the first academic year, which are supplemented by online tutorials and seminars. As well as having the support of Module Leaders, you will be designated a Director of Studies and Co-Supervisor who will support you in developing and refining your doctoral research in preparation for formal submission and your Viva voce examination. 

 

Doctoral candidates attend two block study sessions in the program's initial year, which incorporate the three taught modules, Contextualisation and Planning, Critical Debate in Professional Practice and Practice-Based Research.

 

Following successful completion of all three modules, candidates will work independently on your chosen research topic with support from your academic supervisors. During this phase of the programme, you can attend a series of optional study days that cover various topics to help you with your studies.

 

Doctoral candidates are formally assessed via a variety of assessment methods, including written reports, oral presentations, and essays. 

 

The final submission for the Professional Doctorate is either a report together with a portfolio of supporting evidence (totalling 80,000 words) or a thesis which will normally be around 80,000 words. The exact nature of the candidates submission is decided in discussion with the Director of Studies. All candidates must also undergo a viva voce examination.