Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (ProfD HaSC)

Key Details

Start Date: Next cohort is October 2025. Applications open in September 2024.
Application deadline: 31 May 2025
Years 1-2: Study blocks
Years 3-5: Research Project
Award: ProfD HaSC

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Course Overview

The Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (ProfD HaSC) is an interdisciplinary, postgraduate level research programme that has been designed to meet the needs of senior health and social care practitioners who wish to develop and lead evidence-based interventions within their own sphere of practice. The doctoral course is part time (0.4FTE) with six taught workshops a year for two years, followed by an independent research project during years 3-5. Regular doctoral supervision is provided throughout, leading to 540 credits at Level 8 and a Professional Doctorate in Health & Social Care.

Programme is open to UK/Home applicants only.

The applied nature of the programme develops candidates’ research capability and enables them to manage complex problems and advance their practice. It is an award at the highest academic level that is distinct from the PhD in that it fosters pioneering professional development relevant to the needs of the individual’s professional working situation in a mutually supportive learning environment of lecturers and fellow students from a wide range of disciplines.

Programme aims

To enhance the knowledge and practice of professionals through:

Critical enquiry and evaluation of current literature, policies and practice
Critical reflection and evaluation on personal and professional development
Advanced academic enquiry leading to the generation of new knowledge at the forefront of their practice
Effective project management
Original research and advanced autonomous scholarship
Dissemination of original and creative insights to inform innovation and enhancement of health and social care.

Why choose a ProfD?

To advance your applied research skills
To demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge and application of that knowledge in your area of practice
To build research capacity in the workplace
To enhance evidence-based practice

Why UEA?

Extensive experience in providing successful doctoral supervision
Many of our current staff have undertaken professional doctorates and are familiar with the process of a professional doctorate and maximising learning through the educational process
Our national and international research reputation in many areas of practice
Outstanding learning environment
Faculty induction programme
Face-to-face and online learning
Extensive access PGR PPD programme, access to Early Career Research Seminars and Research Seminars
Member of the International Professional Doctorate Research and Impact Network
All taught sessions are face-to-face with emphasis on building a community of practice
Access to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Centres

The ProfD HaSC runs every other year with the next start date being October 2025*

To be considered for a place on this course, you must meet the entry requirements.

*This course will run subject to sufficient interest and applications to make a cohort educationally viable.

Open Evenings

2024 -24th October 5.30-6.30pm – Virtual Online
2025 - 23rd January 5.30-6.30pm- Face to Face
20th March, 5.30-6.30pm- Online

To register for the event please visit here.

Entry Requirements

Master’s degree preferrable
Research experience preferrable
Practice experience (normally minimum of 3 years)
A proposal for an area you wish to research

How to apply

Please ensure that your application is accompanied by:

Official transcripts and certificates (in English) of your higher education qualifications.
A Personal Statement
A CV detailing your work experience to date.
One academic reference.
One letter of support from your line manager.
An official copy of your English language results (if relevant)
A Research Proposal of up to 2,000 words

If you have any queries in relation to an aspect of the ProfD HaSC or would like to discuss your application please email Dr Marie McGee .

The research proposal

The research proposal submitted with the application is not expected to be a perfect or finished product, as it is likely to undergo changes over the course of the first two years of study, in consultation with your supervisory team. However, it has an important role to play in that it is used to judge both the quality of the proposed project as well as the fit of the topic with the research expertise and supervisory availability within the school.

A successful research proposal should focus on viable health or social issue of relevance to you as a professional and your organisation. The proposal needs to justify why you have identified this gap or problem, and why it is worthy of exploration, with sound rationale how you will research it and why this area is related to your practice. Please provide the following:

Title: Provide a clear and succinct title.
Background and rationale: Set out the context of your project with supporting literature and include a sense of the contribution the research can make to the field.
Aims of the investigation and research questions: Clearly identify the problem to be explored, the aims of the study and the research questions.
Design: Outline your proposed methodology and methods. Provide a rationale for these choices. Include details of who will form your sample and how you will gather your data.
Data Analysis: Demonstrate the principles of organising and interpreting the data to address the research question.
Ethical considerations: Outline how you will adhere to research ethic principles and practice.
Time frame: A reasonable timescale for completion (see the course structure to get a feel for how this might assist you)

All written applications will be considered and those who meet the requirements will be invited for a virtual interview (up to 45 mins).

Selection to the course will be based on the proposal's quality, applicant’s qualifications, interview, as well as on availability of supervisors with appropriate expertise and interest in your area of research.

When you are ready to apply you will find the online form, with guidance, here.

Teaching and Assessment

A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used to facilitate learning and develop active and independent researchers. These will include:

• Face to Face professional workshops and research seminars
• Student led presentations
• Informal peer support groups.
• Review sessions to support personal research and professional development plans

Study modules

All modules on the programme are designed at Level 8, are compulsory, and you have to achieve a pass mark on all modules to progress.

Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Year 1

Module 1: Engaging with Study at Doctorate Level

30 level 8 credits

Module 2: Advancing Professional Practice

60 level 8 Credits

Year 2

Module 3: Planning New Knowledge

90 level 8 Credits

Thesis Phase: Years Three, Four and Five

Thesis

Equivalent to 360 level 8 Credits

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

The taught modules are designed to build your knowledge, skills and competencies in the areas of research methodologies and design to facilitate progression to the research stage of the programme. All taught modules will be assessed on a pass or fail basis only.

Assessment will include:
• reflective essay
• literature review
• research protocol for final thesis

You will be encouraged to map your progression throughout your research and professional journey to the Vitae ‘Researcher Development Framework.
Throughout the taught elements and the independent research, component you will work with your supervisory team. By the end of Year 3 you will be ready to undertake research into your chosen area of professional practice, following successful completion of your research protocol. You will then work towards the submission of a 65,000- word thesis at the end of year 5 followed by a viva voce examination within 3 months of submission.

Current UEA’s tuition fees are published on this website.