Professional Doctorates

Turn your career into a qualification

If you are a middle or senior manager our Professional Doctorates offer a flexible alternative to a PhD. They are designed so you can study part-time for a doctorate qualification while you work. You will analyse challenges in your profession, research leading theories and evidence and apply your findings to the workplace.

I'm grateful for all the positive support I received.

Danny Hagan, PhD in Music

I'm grateful for all the positive support I received.

Danny Hagan, PhD in Music

• DHsD Professional Doctorate in Health Services Delivery (West London campus) West London campus

DHsD Professional Doctorate in Health Services Delivery (West London campus)

• DBA Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (West London campus) West London campus

DBA Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (West London campus)

• DMid Professional Doctorate in Midwifery (West London campus) West London campus

DMid Professional Doctorate in Midwifery (West London campus)

• DNurs Professional Doctorate in Nursing (West London campus) West London campus

Join an established research community

When you study for a Professional Doctorate at UWL you will join the international research and learning community of our collaborative research groups and Research Centres.

Inter-professional learning

We offer an integrated professional doctorate scheme which allows you to engage with professionals from different sectors. This inter-professional learning approach allows you to reflect on what is shared across professional boundaries and what is distinctive to your own occupational setting.

Flexible part-time learning while you work

Each taught module is delivered over the course of a single weekend. Teaching is carried out through lectures and smaller seminars and workshops where the emphasis is on discussion.

Tutorials are face-to-face and online and your supervisor and tutors will support your independent study and writing of your thesis.

Support while you study

We provide a supportive research environment in which you can excel.

You will be supported by your course leader, module leaders and tutor and will have two dedicated supervisors to support your research project. You will be part of the UWL Graduate School which supports all research students and coordinates research activity across the university.

You will have full access to UWL student support, including life-long careers advice.

Frequently asked questions

• What qualifications do I need? You will normally need: a good first degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent in a relevant field a Masters degree with merit or distinction or equivalent professional experience if you are an international student you will need a minimum IELTS score (International English Language Testing System) of 7 (with 6.5 in each element) or equivalence For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

What qualifications do I need?

• a good first degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent in a relevant field
• a Masters degree with merit or distinction or equivalent professional experience
• if you are an international student you will need a minimum IELTS score (International English Language Testing System) of 7 (with 6.5 in each element) or equivalence
• What kind of workload will I have? In the first two years, you will take taught modules, delivered over weekends. These are work-based learning modules and will be relevant to your practice. Typically, you will explore underpinning theories through case studies and examples. Assessments at the end of each module, through written articles and reports (between 3,000-5,000 words), will allow you to apply your learned knowledge and demonstrate your understanding. You will have the opportunity to consult with teaching staff and get their feedback before submitting your assessment. This will help you progress through the taught element and develop your research proposal. In the proceeding years, you will focus on your research and thesis, supported by your tutors and supervisor. Your thesis will be related to your work context. You will be encouraged to start thinking about your topic in the first year of your studies. The thesis will be 40,000 words. You should expect to dedicate around 20 hours per week to your studies. For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

What kind of workload will I have?

• How will the course be delivered? Each taught module is delivered over the course of a single weekend. Teaching is carried out through lectures and smaller seminars and workshops where the emphasis is on discussion. Your study will take a variety of forms, including face-to-face and online tutorials, lectures and smaller seminars and workshops and written assignments. You will also be well-supported in your independent study and writing of your thesis. For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

How will the course be delivered?

• How is the course structured? The course is delivered in two stages - taught modules, then research: Stage 1 - taught modules (years 1 and 2) In the first stage, you will cover six modules - four research and work context modules and two discipline-specific modules. The four research and work context modules are: Professionalism in social context Evaluating data in the professions Connecting research and practice Methods of professional enquiry See the individual courses for further details of the two discipline-specific modules - for each of these, you will produce a targeted journal article of 5,000 words to publication standard. Stage 2 - research and thesis (years 3 to 6) In the second stage, you will carry out an original piece of research and present your work as a 40,000-word thesis. This is independent work with the supervision of your principal and secondary supervisor. For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

How is the course structured?

• Professionalism in social context
• Evaluating data in the professions
• Connecting research and practice
• Methods of professional enquiry
• When can I start? You can start the course in either April or September. For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

When can I start?

• How can I apply? To apply you will need to submit a clear supporting statement. Your statement should include: The area and nature of your proposed research and practice activity - you should give context to your proposal by referencing the published research of other practitioners. Your relevant experience and knowledge in your chosen field. If your supporting statement demonstrates an appropriate scholarly approach, you will be invited to an interview, either in person or online, in which you will be asked to expand on your research proposal. If you would like to discuss your application before making a submission or for more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

How can I apply?

• The area and nature of your proposed research and practice activity - you should give context to your proposal by referencing the published research of other practitioners.
• Your relevant experience and knowledge in your chosen field.
• What happens if I don't complete the course? You will register as a Professional Doctoral student, but if something happens and you are unable to complete the full course there are built in ‘exit points’ which lead to a postgraduate award: Exit after year 1 If you complete the first year but are unable to continue you will be able to exit from the first year of the taught modules with 100 credits and a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice. Exit after year 2 If you complete the second year of taught modules you would have 200 credits and could exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice. Exit after year 3 or 4 If you exit in Year 3 or 4 you could exit with an MSc in Professional Practice. For more information about our professional doctoral degrees please contact the relevant academic school .

What happens if I don't complete the course?

• What are the fees? The fees are shown on our course pages .

Our Graduate School

You will become a member of the dedicated UWL Graduate School, as well as the school in which you are being supervised.

That means you will get university-wide support and the opportunity to meet and develop your research alongside doctorate students from other disciplines.

Find out more

• Research Centres and Groups Find out about our multi-disciplinary areas of expertise, research, and teaching.

Research Centres and Groups

• Research impact Learn how our research has helped communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Research impact

• The Graduate School If you are interested in studying for a PhD or Professional Doctorate, the Graduate School is here to support your research.

Research areas