Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care

Entry requirements

For entry into the Professional Doctorate, applicants are normally expected to hold a Masters degree and be working in or able to access a professional practice setting in which to carry out their research. Exceptions are considered on an individual basis, where applicants can demonstrate evidence of postgraduate study or publications suitable to prepare them for doctoral level study.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This programme is for health or social care practitioners with postgraduate qualifications who want to research a policy or practice issue that’s relevant to their area of work and use the findings to influence the way things are done.

The Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DProfHSC) provides an opportunity to plan and undertake doctoral research with the aim of developing an area of professional practice and make an original contribution to existing knowledge.

The DProfHSC is undertaken in two stages. In Stage 1 you will undertake four 30 credit Level 7 modules. During the structured first stage of the programme, you’ll develop your research ideas with the help of an academic advisor. Study days, workshops and online resources provide research training and orientation leading to the submission of a research proposal.

With your proposal formally approved, you’ll then progress to the supervised research stage of your higher-level degree, developing your thesis with support from your supervisors. In stage 2, you must achieve your Confirmation of Registration and your progress will be appraised at Annual Reviews.

Fees and funding