Programme Type:

Course Overview

We offer you the opportunity to develop advanced research skills and to apply them to professional practice issues through independent research. You'll have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to professional practice and to improve service delivery and performance within your employing organisation and across the wider professions.

The doctorate comprises a taught component in your first and second year and a doctoral research component in your third to the fifth year. The research study will culminate in a doctoral thesis specific to a profession or in the general area of health and social care. It leads to one of the following awards:

  • Doctorate in Health and Social Care
  • Doctorate in Nursing
  • Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
  • Doctorate in Optometry
  • Doctorate in Physiotherapy
  • Doctorate in Radiography
  • Doctorate in Midwifery
  • Doctorate in Social Work

A professional doctorate is similar to a PhD in the sense that it allows you to carry out original research and contribute new knowledge. All doctoral graduates are considered experts in their field and can use the title ‘doctor’. The main difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate is that the research is rooted in the researcher’s professional practice.

Teaching and learning

The sessions are facilitated by senior academic staff from the School of Health and Social Care. You will receive tutorial and supervisory support whilst undertaking the programme. E-learning activities will complement the taught component and there are a variety of assessment methods.

In your third year, you will start your doctoral thesis, with a Director of Studies to supervise you. The School of Health and Social Care runs a monthly doctoral support programme where you can meet students at different points in their doctoral studies and benefit from peer support. There are also development sessions organised by the Central Research Office for LSBU’s research students, as well as a lively annual Summer School.

Entry Requirement 

In order to be considered, applicants will be required to have the following qualifications:

  • A recognised professional qualification which allows you to practice in one of the professions for which an award is specified: nursing, midwifery, social work, occupational therapy, optometry, physiotherapy, or radiography; or 
  • A health and social care profession which is recognised for registration with one of the health and social care professions councils in the UK [e.g. the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); the General Medical Council (GMC); the General Optical Council (GOC)] and
  • A Masters degree in a relevant discipline and at least three full years full-time experience (or equivalent) in a relevant professional area or
  • A first or 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline and evidence of ability to produce work at the masters level and at least four years of full-time experience (or equivalent) in a relevant professional area
  • Applicants are required to have some previous knowledge of research methods, such as a research methods module, completed as part of a previous degree.
  • Applicants must have sufficient command of the English language to complete the taught component and to prepare and defend a thesis in English. If your first language is not English, you should produce evidence of competency in the English language equivalent to level 8 of the International Language Testing System (IELTS) with no element below 7.5.

Fees

The fee shown is for entry 2021/22

  • UK fee: £5488.89
  • International fee: £8277.78

Total course fee:

  • UK fee:  £9880
  • International fee: £14900

This information was accurate on : 01/05/2021
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