Program Overview

BioInnovation Professional Doctorate

Key Facts

• Qualification: DProf
• Course duration: 5 years
• Delivery method: Distance learning
• Available for: September start 2025, January start 2026, May start 2026

Typical Entry Requirements

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Course Overview

The Bioinnovation Professional Doctorate is focused upon enhancing circularity and sustainability in food and other bio-based business, from production, through to processing and supply chains. The aim of the Professional Doctorate is to offer a qualification which, whilst being equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, is more appropriate to those pursuing a professional rather than academic career.

Modules

Part I

• Core:
  • BDM0120 - Research Methods
  • BRM6060 - MRes Dissertation
• Optional:
  • BDM1120 - Sustainable Supply Systems
  • BDM1220 - Waste Resource Management
  • BDM1320 - Future of Packaging
  • BDM1920 - Public Goods
  • BDM5920 - Livestock Health and Welfare
  • BDM6220 - Controlled Environment Agriculture
  • BDM6320 - Life Cycle Assessment and Beyond
  • BDM6420 - Precision Livestock
  • BDM7720 - Biorefining Technologies
  • BDM8720 - Meat Processing
  • BDM8820 - Behaviour Change
  • EGA400 - Membrane Filtration Tech (Swansea Module)
  • EGAM00 – Fermentation for Food applications (Swansea Module)

Part II

• Compulsory Research Thesis: A longer portfolio of work or a research thesis (up to 60,000 words), undertaken for a minimum of three years.

About this course

• Duration: Five to seven years to complete.
• Contact Time: The entire programme is delivered online; however students are welcome to schedule live visits with tutors and supervisors as required.
• Assessment: There are no exams within this programme. Taught modules are assessed via coursework and forum discussion. Research is monitored and assessed. The viva is an integral part of the examination of the Part II thesis.
• Course Fees: This programme is restricted to students living or working in Wales until April 2023. Study undertaken before this time, by eligible students, is heavily subsidised. After April 2023 the programme will be opened to a wider audience and standard fees will apply to all students. We regret that advance payments at the subsidised rate are not possible.

Modules September start - 2025

Core

• Module Name | Module Code | Credit Value
  • Research Methods | BDM0120 | 20

Options

• Module Name | Module Code | Credit Value
  • Behaviour Change | BDM8820 | 20
  • Controlled Environment Agriculture | BDM6220 | 20
  • Meat Processing | BDM8720 | 20
  • Sustainable Supply Systems * | BDM1120 | 20
  • Waste Resource Management | BDM1220 | 20

Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Teaching & Learning

We have designed our training to be as accessible as possible, particularly for those in full-time employment. The entire programme is delivered online; however students are welcome to schedule live visits with tutors and supervisors as required.

Each taught module comprises a 13-week distance learning module worth 20 credits and students should anticipate spending 10-15 hours per week studying.

Learning material includes podcast lectures, e-group projects, guided reading, interactive workbooks, and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. Since the training is web-based you will need to have access to a reasonable broadband connection (i.e. can stream videos such as on YouTube), so that you can study where and when best suits you. By re-registering through your student record each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the duration of your registration.

The research elements of our qualifications are carried out in your workplace with regular academic supervision. Students should be employed in a relevant sector, and should undertake research which is closely aligned to your work and it is crucial that employers are supportive of both the research aims and the time commitment (10-15 hrs a week) that the proposed research will involve. Whilst the academic focus will be on the completion of an advanced piece of research, embedding this research within the workplace and developing potential opportunities for innovation are equally important.