Program Overview

Overview

The Professional Doctorate Social Care Education is a specialist qualification designed for individuals in or aspiring to senior professional appointments in practice, education, or management in health or social care. This program demonstrates the ability to perform at the level of 'expert' within a specific area of specialization.

Course Details

• Course: Social Care Education
• Start Date: October 2026
• Study Mode: Part-time
• Duration: 5 - 6 years
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based In: Health and Social Care (School of)

The aim of the course is to provide a unified approach to theory and practice within a professional context. The learning is structured to allow the development of skills both in the workplace and within the university environment. Depending on individual circumstances, the study can be undertaken over 5 years, with an additional period of completion of up to 1 year if required.

Structure

• The program involves preparing two portfolios that chronicle the development of expert practice in the workplace.
• Taught modules at the University of Essex provide expertise in qualitative, statistical, and other research methods required for researching healthcare.
• A key part of demonstrating expertise is the development of a 40,000-word dissertation on a relevant topic.

Research Areas

The School offers guidance and supervision in a wide range of areas, including:

• Analysis of large-scale surveys
• Children with special educational needs
• Consumerism and consumption in healthcare
• Cross-cultural mental health
• Educational psychology
• Health-related social movements
• Health-related stigma
• Health services research
• Housing and health
• How life events and conditions influence health
• Interpretative policy analysis of healthcare
• The third sector and healthcare provision
• Political economy of healthcare
• Professional/clinical education and practice
• Qualitative methods
• Social epidemiology and health inequalities
• Social inequality and health
• Social issues around health and the intersection of theories of delinquency and health
• Social organization of healthcare
• Sociology of happiness and wellbeing
• Sociology of health and illness
• Understanding and application of research in health settings

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• The Professional Doctorates are only open to UK applicants (except for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology).
• Applicants need to be registered with a UK regulatory body (where appropriate).
• They should also be currently employed in management, practice, or education, or in a senior position in a health or social care organization, and possess a Master's qualification (or equivalent).
• Employment in a senior position within a health or social care organization is required.

To make a full application, applicants will need to:

• Complete the University's online application form
• Provide two academic references
• Provide academic transcripts/certificates
• Provide a language certificate (if relevant)
• Provide a 500-word personal statement
• Attach a 300-word description of their clinical practice (for clinical programs) or managerial responsibilities (for management programs)

International & EU Entry Requirements

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Applicants should get in touch with any questions about the qualifications the University accepts.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• ｣2,619 per year

International Fee

• ｣10,313 per year
• Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

What's Next

The University holds Open Days for all applicants throughout the year. These events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex and give applicants the chance to tour the campus and accommodation, find out answers to questions about courses, graduate employability, student support, and more.

Applicants can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before applying, please check the information about necessary documents that will be asked to provide as part of the application. The University aims to respond to applications within four weeks. If the University is able to offer a place, applicants will be contacted via email.