Program Overview

Doctor of Professional Practice in Health and Social Care

Key Facts

• Level: PostgraduatePG Doctor of Professional Practice
• Duration: 5 years part time
• Starting: January
• UK Fees 25/26 >: £2,675 per year with registration ordinarily five years (with an annual increment of 5%).
• Location: Waterside, Distance Learning

Overview

This course offers experienced clinicians and practitioners in health and social care the opportunity to develop their academic and research skills, through a programme of study which is both grounded in and applied to professional health and social care practice. It provides the platform, opportunity and context for students to make change happen in health and social care. This inter-professional and multi-disciplinary programme combines modules and independent research.

All coursework will draw on professional expertise grounded within practice. Students will study seven facilitated modules during years one and two of the programme, followed by an independent research project, supported by a supervisory team leading to a doctoral thesis.

Highlights

• Engagement in advanced research within an inter-disciplinary and multi-professional learning environment.
• Study as a cohort within facilitated modules (years 1 and 2).
• Work with a dedicated supervisory team to complete your own doctoral thesis (years 3-6).
• Hands on experience of project work from early on in the programme.
• Work with research leaders across a range of fields.
• Peer learning with recent alumni of the programme.
• A range of assessment methods applied through facilitated modules, including the opportunity to submit a paper for publication.

Entry Requirements

• Be able to demonstrate that you have achieved 180 credits at Level 7 (through APCL). This will normally be in the form of a Masters degree in a cognate subject, completed within the 10 years prior to enrolment. Applicants holding a Masters degree completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment will need to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Programme Leader, updating of their knowledge and skills at the equivalent of Level 7 during the past 10 years.
• A minimum of 3 years relevant work-experience at an appropriate level (e.g., demonstration of leadership, autonomy or advanced practice).
• Due to the work-based nature of the award students should currently be employed in a suitable workplace environment to support learning and assessment on the programme.
• Please download the Research area form to submit alongside your application.

Course Content

• Course Details

We are passionate about delivering this programme, which we have designed for experienced clinicians and practitioners in health and social care. During your first two years with us, you will study seven modules which offer a sound grounding in research theory, methods and application. Our modules offer you extensive opportunities to work directly with a range of different types of data, including that arising from your own project work. Assessments include presentations, proposals, academic posters and a journal article which you may choose to submit for publication.

Our programme team is made up of Professors and Associate Professors from the Faculty of Health, Education and Society, and we carefully plan our delivery to enable you to make links from research specialists from across the institution and further afield. During the second year of your studies, you will be allocated a critical friend; a senior researcher within the institution, who will support you to finalise your thesis idea into a detailed proposal, ensuring that you are ready to hit the ground running with your own research from the start of year three.

From the start of year three, you will work with a supervisory team of at least 2 senior researchers, chosen to meet your support needs of both your research topic and the research methods you will use. The research study (thesis) element of the course can last up to four years, culminating in a viva voce examination where you will defend your thesis with both internal and external examiners. The thesis element of the programme follows the same procedures and regulations as our PhD students, including annual reviews and an internal presentation to other staff and students plus a viva which takes place after the first 18 months to endure adequate progress. All of these are designed to support your progress through the programme. The thesis is examined to the same standard as conventional PhDs but is typically half the length (with a proportionately small research project) to recognise the assessments that were undertaken in the first two years. Unlike a PhD, there is a requirement that the research for the thesis element should make a contribution to practice.

FAQs

• What is the application process?

You can apply for this programme directly to the University. You will be asked to complete a short application form about yourself, and to upload the following documents:

• Personal statement.
• Brief overview of your proposed research area (1,000 words).
• Photocopies or scans of your Masters certificate and transcript and other relevant certificates.
• Two references (you can find a reference request form here)
• Evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language).
• Change of name document, if your application and certificates are in different names.

All applicants are expected to attend an interview, usually completed remotely, with the Programme Leader and Deputy Programme Leader.

• How will I be assessed?

Practice related assignments, including hands-on project experience (audit or evaluation). Assessments within the first two years of facilitated modules include:

• Extended essay
• Research proposal including appropriate application for ethical approval for research
• Case Studies (using data sets)
• Portfolios
• Seminar presentation
• Literature review
• Reflective accounts
• Journal article.

The Professional Research Module is assessed by completion of a doctoral thesis and viva voce examination.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• Part Time: £2,675 per year with registration ordinarily five years.

• Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this course other than potential research costs arising from the thesis element of the award which will depend on the project. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

Staff

• Professor of Sociology
• Associate Professor in Child & Family Wellbeing
• Professor of Neurophysiology
• Professor
• Associate Professor in Education

Careers and Employability

Students studying for this award are experienced clinicians and practitioners in health and social care. Throughout the programme, we work with you to identify your development goals and career aspirations and give you the tools to further your progression in these areas.

Opportunities to work with current students and alumni of the programme as well as research leaders across a range of fields support your reflection and action planning to enhance your career prospects, either in your current or future roles.

Facilities

This programme is taught via a blended learning approach including face to face sessions at our Waterside Campus and online. Postgraduate Research Students (PGRS) have full access to University facilities, receiving staff level access to Library resources. Within our Senate building at our Waterside Campus building, PGRS have a bespoke office area for independent study with access to printing, tea and coffee making facilities, and views across the campus and the town beyond.

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