Professional Doctorates

Professional Doctorates

Professional doctorate programmes are increasingly the choice of professionals in a number of fields, particularly health and education.

Professional Doctorates at Keele provide rigorous, structured programmes of advanced study and research, equivalent in status to a PhD but usually taken on a part-time basis and reflecting professionally focused contexts. They are normally completed in 6 years.

Students are usually in full-time work whilst on programme. Initially, students take taught modules with assessments that are designed to explore and structure the research project. After successfully completing these assignments, students undertake their research project under the guidance of supervisors. The final degree is awarded on the successful submission and examination of a thesis (of 60,000 words) in the same way as for a PhD.

We offer Professional Doctorates in

• Education (EdD) - blended face to face and online delivery
• Social Work (DSW) - online delivery
• Physiotherapy (Physiotherapy )- online delivery
• Nursing (DNursing) - online delivery
• Counselling (DCouns) - online delivery
• Public Health (DPH) - online delivery
• Health Education (DEdHealth) -online delivery
• Pharmacy (DPharm) - online delivery with specific entry requirements .
• Criminology and Criminal Justice (DCrim) - blended face to face and online delivery

How long does a Professional Doctorates take?

These programmes are usually offered on a 4-8 year part-time basis, normally completed in 6 years.

When can I apply?

Professional doctorate programmes have a single entry each year, usually October. Please visit the course pages for additional information.

What is a research degree?

Find out about the types of research degrees available

Entry requirements

Academic and non-academic criteria

How to apply

Advice and important information to help with your application

Fee and funding information

Fees and funding support for all research degrees

Research areas