Professional Doctorate in Social and Public Policy, SPPD

About the project

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• Professional Doctorate in Social and Public Policy, SPPD

Choose which start date.

• October 2027 Apply Now

Choose which start date.

• October 2027 Apply Now

Key Course Details

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 2,575

Oct 2027 | £ 2,725

Start Date | Tuition Fees - Year 1

Oct 2026 | £ 9,700

Oct 2027 | £ 10,200

• Mode of Study: Blended Study
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Mode of Study: Blended Study
• Location: Singleton Park Campus

Course Overview

The Professional Doctorate (SSPD) is a part-time doctoral research degree, equivalent to the PhD but different in that it is professionally orientated to focus on ‘applied’ research, rather than ‘pure’ research.

The programme has been designed for experienced practitioners and managers working at senior levels within their chosen profession and provides the opportunity to examine leading theories and research in a professional context.

Based in the School of Social Sciences the SPPD draws on the expertise from a range of disciplines including Education, Politics, Sociology, Social Policy, Economics, and Philosophy which combine to offer a programme which is both integrated and multi-disciplinary.

The SPPD at Swansea is research led throughout, supported by academics with international reputations for excellence. The taught modules are designed to support you to systematically acquire a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of research and practice, as well as an understanding of advanced research methods. Throughout your academic experience, you will receive increased contact with cutting edge research, augmenting an understanding of a wide range of issues with support from the Programme Director and your supervisor via online and in-person meetings.

The structure of the SPPD comprises a taught phase which includes five modules taken over three years, and a research phase, during which time you will produce a doctoral thesis. During the research phase you will undertake your own research, to be presented and defended during a viva voce examination, as with other doctoral programmes. The programme has been designed to be flexible to fit around the commitments of working professionals with a blend of in-person and on-line delivery which is scheduled well in advance.

The programme allows minimum candidature of six years and a submission date of seven years.

Why Swansea?

When you join our thriving community of postgraduate research students, you’ll become part of a supportive and friendly environment where we are dedicated to understanding some of society’s most challenging issues.

We have a wide range of expertise which includes, but is not limited to:

As a student at our School of Social Sciences, you will benefit from a dynamic and supportive research environment with many opportunities to make connections across disciplines and develop links with organisations and policymakers both in the UK and abroad. As such, you can be confident that your research will inform and be informed by the wider health and social care environment.

Postgraduate training is available to enhance academic, personal and professional development, as well as research seminars, workshops, and international conferences.

Based in the School of Social Sciences, on our stunning Singleton Park campus, you will study a programme designed to promote individual and collaborative research activity of international standard.

• Criminal justice in Wales
• Cybercrime and terrorism
• Digital technology in the criminal justice system
• Desistance
• Gender based violence and violence against women domestic and sexual violence
• Illegal and informal economies
• Maritime security and crime
• Policing, governance and political economy
• Probation and offender management services
• Organised crime
• Sentencing and courts
• Sex work
• Social harms
• Sports-based violence and criminality
• Violent and sex offenders
• Youth justice

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Entry Requirements

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

We encourage interested applicants to contact us to discuss their areas of interest and qualifications before making a formal application.

Candidates interested in applying to study the SPPD should hold:

Applications must be accompanied with a CV and proposal identifying a professional issue or problem that may form the basis of their future research.

Applicants will be invited to an interview with the programme leadership team.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 7 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

• Significant level of organisational experience, usually at least 3 years in a senior role.
• An undergraduate degree with a minimum classification of upper second (2:1) or equivalent. We would also be willing to consider those with other backgrounds and work experience in the sector, in place of the undergraduate degree entry requirement.
• A Masters’ degree in a related discipline or equivalent professional qualification.

Reference Requirement

As standard, one reference is required before we can progress applications to the Faculty research programme, academic Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference or alternatively, hold submission of application until a reference is sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee, requesting a reference on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form .

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk .

How you are Supervised

Our professional doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice gives you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience.

Our exceptional academic support includes:

On entry to the programme you will be assigned a supervisor who will work with you throughout and provide academic advice and support through the key stages of your development.

Find out more about our academic faculty by visiting our staff profiles.

• Supervision from our world class faculty with a breadth of professional and academic knowledge;
• State-of-the-art facilities;
• An environment in which you can develop and enhance transferable skills such as problem solving, independent thinking, project management, and critical thinking;
• The availability of structured training, interdisciplinary seminars, dedicated research facilities and software;
• A student community, drawn from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, bringing a wide range of research interests and personal and professional backgrounds – enhancing the learning experiences of the whole student community.

No Provision

Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email us to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and we will do our best to see what is possible.

Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:

To learn more about the above and all the opportunities available to you through the medium of Welsh, visit Academi Hywel Teifi's undergraduate pages .

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language Certificate.
• Opportunity to be a member of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Tuition Fees

Start Date | UK | International

October 2026 | £ 2,575 | £ 9,700

October 2027 | £ 2,725 | £ 10,200

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Note: The 2027/2028 UK fee is indicative pending confirmation from UKRI.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page .

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page .

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up .

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

How to Apply

APPLICATION PROCESS STEPS AND ADVICE FOR APPLYING

Identifying a relevant research topic

Applicants are encouraged to explore the research expertise of the School to ensure a good fit between PhD proposals and potential supervisors. You are more than welcome to arrange a meeting with relevant staff in your field to discuss your proposal before submitting it.

Preparing your research proposals

After you have identified a relevant research topic please prepare a detailed research proposal to include with your application. Guidance on writing a research proposal is also available.

How to Apply

After you have completed preparing an appropriate research proposal, please apply for a place on our PhD programme online here.

Please note that it is advisable that you contact us before submitting your application. This will ensure we can identify appropriate supervisors, and where necessary work with you to refine your proposal. If you would like to do this, email: solpgr@swansea.ac.uk

Applicants can expect to be interviewed following their application to discuss their topic of research and ensure they demonstrate the necessary level of commitment to their studies and training.

If you're an international student, find out more about applying for this course here.

Application Deadlines can be found on our Application Deadlines webpage.

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Programme Specification

Programme Aims

The programme aims to equip professionals with the tools to systematically acquire and comprehend extensive knowledge in their field, deliver a critical stance towards professional practice, analyse specific issues using a deep understanding of relevant social science research, produce high-quality work for peer review and publication, and make a substantial contribution to the field through research-based thesis.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises key elements:

The programme consists of two phases: a taught phase, comprising five taught modules, and a research phase, during which students will produce a doctoral thesis.

The taught modules are skills based and are carefully structured to enhance your abilities to undertake independent research.

The taught modules take place on campus at Swansea University, and you will normally take two modules each year. First year modules include: The Philosophy and Ethics of Social Science Research and Understanding and Presenting Research Literature. Second year modules include: Applied Doctoral Research Methodologies and Methods and The Presentation and Analysis of Data. Module 5 of year three is Preparation for Thesis.

After successful completion of five modules, you will then move on to the research stage for years 4 to 6, during which you will undertake original research, to be presented and defended during a viva voce examination, as with other doctoral programmes.

Programme Structure

Taught Phase

Year One

Semester 1 | Semester 2

Semester 1

Semester 2

Module 1 The Philosophy and Ethics of Social Science Research (30 credits) | Module 2 Understanding and Presenting Research Literature (30 credits)

Module 1 The Philosophy and Ethics of Social Science Research (30 credits)

Module 2 Understanding and Presenting Research Literature (30 credits)

Year Two

Semester 1 | Semester 2

Semester 1

Semester 2

Module 3 Applied Doctoral Research Methodologies and Methods (30 credits) | Module 4 The Presentation and Analysis of Data (30 credits)

Module 3 Applied Doctoral Research Methodologies and Methods (30 credits)

Module 4 The Presentation and Analysis of Data (30 credits)

Year Three

Full Academic Year

Module 5 Preparation for Thesis (60 Credits)

Research Phase

Years 4-6

Doctoral Thesis

Assessment

Students are assessed in a variety of ways, through the taught modules and the preparation of a doctoral thesis.

Knowledge and understanding are assessed through a variety of assessment methods which include assignments, presentations, formal reports, and projects.

The programme offers students a hybrid approach to studying:

Learning and Development

The programme aims to create an enhanced and fully integrated student experience by developing a sense of community around the degree.

Teaching in the formal taught sessions will be interactive, including small and large group discussions, supported by appropriate digital technology to ensure participation of value. Learning will also be supported by ongoing communication and support from Module Co-ordinators via Canvas and the monthly online meetings.

Throughout the taught modules, students will be encouraged to relate content to their own contexts, leading to practice engaged research. Furthermore, teaching and learning within each module will be constructed based on their individual needs, academics will include their own professional experience and research interests to support the focus of their content. This diversity in the materials alongside the teaching and the concomitant learning will take a variety of forms.

During the time between the teaching weeks, much of the learning will be self-directed but students will also be in monthly contact with the Programme Director and have online access to discussions with Module Co-ordinators. All modules will be supported by individual (Online, Virtual Learning Environment) Canvas sites, allowing both students and staff to add content.

Swansea University also offers a comprehensive researcher development programme for postgraduate researchers, aimed to develop the skills, knowledge, and attributes to excel in research and future careers.

Students will have opportunities to attend relevant events as part of the School’s Research seminar series and will be encouraged to engage with all the support available for research students.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Intellectual

Practical

Transferable Skills

• Entry and confirmation of candidature
• Taught methodology
• Main body of research
• Thesis and viva voce
• In Person Teaching Methods – including lectures, workshops, group work, practice-based learning and case study discussions/examples.
• Independent Study Methods – including the use of reflective journals, pre-recorded material, and online collaboration methods and reading lists to conduct autonomous learning.
• Students also have opportunities to request detailed written feedback reports from tutors, which enables continuous learning growth and research development.
• It is recognised that where learners are returning to education post experience, assessment support may be required. Assessments in the DCrim have been designed with this in mind and factors in a high level of student input; students will choose the focus of study in all assessments, which are of individual interest, and build on their current background of professional knowledge and be supported in developing their own research interests.
• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge of the organisational and/or professional context through critical evaluation of relevant literature at the forefront of their field.
• Create, interpret, analyse, and develop new knowledge that extends the discipline and adds value to the organisational and/or professional context through original research or other advanced scholarship.
• Disseminate new knowledge gained through original research or other advanced scholarship clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner using a variety of appropriate media.
• Apply research skills, critically, and subject theory to the practice of research.
• Critically reflect in relation to the work completed to provide new or refined insights into the organisation and/or professional practice.
• Show critical understanding of relevant literature within their organisational and/or professional context.
• Show a critical understanding of the application of research to practice.
• Conceptualise, design, and implement an applied project for the generation of new knowledge within the organisational and/or professional context, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
• Critically analyse the methodological, theoretical, and ethical dimensions of research and show a critical awareness of potential limitations and constraints.
• Apply sound ethical principles to research, with due regard for the integrity of persons and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.
• Select appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies to enable them to conduct research leading to the generation of original knowledge in relation to their professional practice.
• Conduct in-depth and effective searches of relevant literature, research and other sources and critically evaluate the results.
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively with a multi-disciplinary cohort of students to gain and share insights with others.
• Contribute to the development of professional practice by the dissemination of their understanding through a variety of formats.
• Manage complex research tasks independently, and deal with problematic situations as they arise.
• Exercise professional standards in research and research integrity, including ethical, legal, and health and safety aspects.
• Exercise personal responsibility within a largely autonomous project.
• Respond appropriately within complex and unpredictable situations, taking into consideration ethical, professional, and legal responsibilities of their professional and research contexts.
• Demonstrate a reflective, thoughtful, and flexible approach to their research, professional development, and application to their own area of practice.
• Provide authoritative solutions when presented with complex practical or ethical problems within a professional context.
• Manage change effectively, prioritise time, resources and workloads and respond to changing professional demands to complete projects within a specified time frame.

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Programme Disclaimer

The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after enrolment.

The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or later.

The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses (for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring, substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course. In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their application and apply elsewhere.

Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject, enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.

Research areas