Course Summary

Qualification: Doctorate

Course code: Res

Credits : 60

How long does it take?

Part time – 4 years

Full time – 2 years

Time limit – 10 years

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) is for advanced practitioners and is designed to focus on their professional development within their organisational/professional context. The DProf is open to all professional areas as the focus is defined by the candidate’s particular work context and area of activity and their own unique area of interest.

This may be located within a profession or sector, or may be more individual in nature. The approach is inter-professional and cuts across disciplines (transdisciplinary) even where candidates have strong roots in a particular profession or occupation. It is primarily concerned with knowledge that is generated and used in practice.

As a candidate for this award you would undertake a critical reflection upon your practice and then design and undertake a doctoral level practice–based research project in your own work within your own organisation or community of practice. At the end of the programme candidates submit a research report and take part in an oral examination or viva on their research. With the successful completion of the examination the candidate achieves a doctorate and can be addressed as Doctor.

Key features of the course

  • Develop research and analytical skills within a real world environment
  • Extend your professional skills by thinking outside of the box
  • Develop written skills to postgraduate standards 
  • Relevant to all sectors and encourages transdisciplinary engagement.

As an American-validated research degree at postgraduate level, this award prepares you to either continue to post-doctoral research or into consultancy and senior management within your field.

Entry requirements

Students for this qualification must already hold a Masters degree or an equivalent award in a related area.

Students should not only academic qualifications but need to have considerable professional experience in the field in which they plan to study. As a rule this should be 8 or more years professional experience with at least 3 years at management level. Due to the specialist nature of this degree in all instances contact the registry for initial enquiries into provision.

How much time do I need?

  • Most of our students study part time, completing 12 credits a year.
  • This will usually mean studying for 6-12 hours a week.