Course overview
Professional practice is an overarching term that defines all occupations involving actions rooted in context, and underpinned by education and a body of knowledge. This course fosters innovation and creativity, allowing you to critically analyse, synthesise and enhance concepts, meanings and intentions that underpin the theoretical dimensions of actions relating to your professional practice or discipline.
You independently develop your professional knowledge through an advanced project in your area of practice.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Developing Contemporary and Novel Research
Build your skills and knowledge in research methods and project management. You focus on extending your understanding of theoretical paradigms underpinning research, advanced project management, data collection and analysis, research ethics and governance, applying these to your specific professional practice or discipline.
Professional Practice Doctoral Research Project
You act independently and with originality to implement a self-initiated doctoral research project for the generation of new knowledge application, or by enhancing understanding at the forefront of your specific practice area.
Project Focused Negotiated Learning
You study a topic in your specific area of practice, critically evaluating relevant theory and research and linking to practice. The content of this module is negotiated by you and your supervising tutor at the start of the semester. Support is provided to you through the virtual learning environment.
You explore different ways of communicating research to a variety of audiences. You also develop skills to disseminate knowledge through a range of activities, such as writing for publication, presenting at conferences and writing blogs.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You complete taught modules and an independent research project.
You learn through a research-informed teaching approach, allowing you to develop advanced skills appropriate for conducting your doctoral research project. Student-led learning allows you to engage in critical discussion of the content and apply core knowledge and concepts to understand complex issues in both professional and research practice. Study this course in-person, through distance learning or a flexible combination of both (delivery may be subject to change).
Work alongside and learn from experienced researchers within their own area of practice. Strengthen your ability to disseminate findings through publication, an important aspect in your career progression, while contributing to knowledge and practice within your professional area.
The teaching team have a range of skills and are active researchers in their own speciality areas. This supports the synergy between teaching and research – an integral part of the doctorate course.
How you are assessed
The assessment methods guide you towards developing academic skills to study at a doctoral level and achieve the learning outcomes of the programme.
Formative assessments support your learning, providing feedback on your academic, writing and referencing skills before the final assessment.
Final assessment methods include written reports, statistical analysis, written research proposals, written exams, essays, action plan write-up, case study write-up, defended poster, journal article for publication, a thesis for the research project and an oral exam. This allows you to develop your theoretical knowledge, research skills and key transferable skills relevant to your area of professional practice and research.
Entry requirements
Suitable for applicants who have substantial industry experience and wish to study a doctoral-level qualification that relates directly to and draws from their professional practice.
You must have completed the equivalent of 120 level 7 credits in the form of a postgraduate diploma, master’s or MPhil course, normally within the last five years.
If you have completed the above outside of five years, you need to demonstrate currency of the qualification through two years of professional experience in a relevant field, supported by an employer’s letter confirming you use the learning regularly in practice, or provide modules of equivalent learning.
All applicants must take part in an online pre-admission discussion designed to explore student expectations and if you are appropriate for the course.
Applicants whose first language is not English will need to satisfy the English language requirements which are a minimum overall score of 6.5 IELTS and 5.5 in each band.
International applicants
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
What you need
To access the on-campus facilities you need a HTML5-capable web browser on a computer such as a Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux computer. HTML5-capable web browsers that can be used include the following:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
For some sessions you can also access sessions on the following browsers and devices:
- Chrome or Safari on an iPad (iOS 11 or later)
- Android (Android 8 or later)
- Microsoft Surface Pro (Windows 10) tablet
Don't have your own device yet?
Don't worry - we have a bank of devices available for you to loan whenever you are on campus.
You can also access Adobe Studio - a suite of industry standard creative apps.
Employability
Career opportunities
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.