Health & Social Care

This course offers you access to practice-based doctoral study which enables you to maximise your full potential in the changing landscape of both higher education and the health and social care workplace. The value of doctorate level study is evidenced in documents such as Towards a Framework for Post Registration Nursing Careers (2008), Modernising AHP Careers (2008), and Higher Ambitions: The Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy (2009). A common theme of these documents is that postgraduate qualifications are a necessity for developing careers in the public and private sectors. Therefore, engagement with this course places you at the forefront of strengthening the future flow of knowledge and skills at the highest level into health and social care.

You experience the value of close working partnerships between University colleagues and workplace colleagues which have been established since commencement of the doctorate programme. This level of study is both challenging and rewarding.

What you study

The course structure is designed in three stages which enables a logical progression of skills and knowledge development to ensure that you acquire the level of 'doctorateness' necessary for successful completion. To be awarded the doctorate you must have a total number of 540 credits. An important point to note is that 40 of these credits (stage 1) may be achieved at level 7.

Stage 1 is designed so that you can demonstrate a level of mastery that is appropriate for progression to the doctoral stages. This is particularly valid if you have accessed the course with undergraduate qualifications or if you, following self-assessment, identify a need to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the research process.

Stage 2 provides the level 8, directed study aspects and is a fundamental prerequisite to accessing the Advanced Independent Research Project in stage 3. This stage covers two academic years when you access four modules, two advanced research modules which form the research methods training component of the programme and two practice/discipline specific modules. Successful completion of stage 2 should enable you to:

• identify an area from practice or professional discipline
• review and contextualise the area within knowledge and theory
• design a change for practice/professional discipline
• implement the change process
• evaluate change
• appraise the implications for practice or professional discipline.

Stage 3 The final stage covers a period of three years when you will focus on the Advanced Independent Research Project. This module allows you to integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills developed throughout the period of your study, culminating in a piece of independent autonomous work which significantly contributes to the development of new knowledge or theory relating to your practice or a professional discipline. You also access the module Promoting Scholarship through Writing for Publication which helps you to develop the skills necessary for the dissemination of your work.

How you learn

You experience a variety of learning and teaching strategies throughout the programme. In stage 1 there is more emphasis on the use of supervised support. You should quickly become independent and autonomous to undertake the research project in stage 3 of the course. The programme team aims to promote and support an independent approach to learning. Thus, your academic/personal tutor and module leaders are seen largely as supporting your autonomous development, culminating in the advancement and evaluation of your personal/professional practice or discipline. The course has been commended for its student-led strategies, particularly the Student Cohort Community which is an integral part of the overall course.

How you are assessed

A number of different assessments are used throughout including written examinations, oral examination, presentations, proposal writing, reports and essays.

Career opportunities

The course provides you with the opportunity to develop as a visionary leader who will have an impact on the social and economic future of health and social care.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have the following:

• Evidence of studying at master's level or achievement of a 2.1 or first-class honours degree in an appropriate health and social care related subject
• a minimum of four years' post qualification practice experience working in a health or social care environment in a role that will enable the applicant to facilitate change.

For additional information please see the undergraduate and postgraduate entry requirements in our admissions section

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