Program Overview

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Doctor of Public Management DPM

Overview

The Doctor of Public Management (DPM) is a professional doctorate that provides critical reflection on public sector reforms, including evidence-based policy and practice. It supports creating greater capacity within the public and voluntary sectors to conduct, commission, and evaluate research as a contribution to the achievement of public goals.

Duration and Fees

• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: 6 years
• UK fees: £5,006
• International fees: £23,000

Research Overview

Professional doctorates are doctoral-level qualifications, equivalent to traditional PhDs. They are rigorous programmes of advanced applied study and research, specifically designed to meet the needs of practising professionals. They provide a framework for the integration of professional expertise and scholarly inquiry to explore specific areas of interest.

Our Doctor of Public Management (DPM) provides critical reflection on public sector reforms, including evidence-based policy and practice. It supports creating greater capacity within the public and voluntary sectors to conduct, commission, and evaluate research as a contribution to the achievement of public goals. You will be assigned two supervisors who will support and guide you throughout the course.

Course Content

In your first year, you will study 120 credits of taught modules; this will be over years one and two for part-time students.

• Exemption from these modules is subject to approval. You will need to evidence that you hold the required skills and knowledge covered in the modules at an equivalent level, because of prior training or experience.
• The remaining period of study (years two and three for full-time students, years three to six for part-time students) will be spent writing a 60-80,000-word thesis. It is an original application of knowledge in the area of public policy. It should demonstrate your ability to integrate rigorous academic analysis with practical relevance and application.

Typical modules:

• Leadership, Strategy and Performance in the Public Sector
• Policy Analysis: Concepts and Theories
• Proposal for Research in Public Policy or Management
• Public Management and Governance
• Research Design and Methods

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

• Home / UK students:
  • Masters with merit (average of 60% or above) or international equivalent in any discipline, plus 2:1 (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level in any discipline and two years of work experience in a related field
• EU / International students:
  • Masters with merit (average of 60% or above) or international equivalent in any discipline, plus 2:1 (or international equivalent) at undergraduate level in any discipline and two years of work experience in a related field
  • International and EU equivalents: We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.
  • IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
  • English language requirements: As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English.

Meeting our English Language Requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Applying

Find a supervisor

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Fees

• Home / UK: £5,006
• International: £23,000

Additional Information for International Students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional Costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Support

Department Specific Support

You will be assigned two supervisors who will support and guide you through your research project, in years two and three. One of these supervisors will act as personal tutor during your first year, for primary pastoral support. Academic support for the taught modules is provided by the module convenors.

You are expected to attend the school-wide PhD seminars, which are aimed at all PhD students, and provide them with support and knowledge relevant to PhD study. These seminars also provide peer-support for practical and academic issues, as well as a social network.

Researcher Training and Development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate Centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• studying
• socialising
• computer work
• seminars
• kitchen facilities

Student Support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Careers

Careers advice

Graduate destinations

Career progression

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Recent graduates have pursued careers in a diverse range of fields across the public and private sector, including housing, research, marketing, support work, human resources and journalism.

100% of postgraduates from the School of Sociology and Social Policy secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £34,804.*

• HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Related Courses

Doctor of Public Policy DPP

With this DPP, you can combine courses on public policy, public management and research methods with a substantial piece of doctoral-level research.

Sociology and Social Policy PhD

Committed to teaching and research excellence, the School of Sociology and Social Policy is a dynamic centre for collaborative and interdisciplinary PhD study.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 89% of the school's research considered world-leading or internationally excellent
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.