Professional Doctorate DProf

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Study the links between the academic and professional business world with this research-based course and learn to use your studies to create solutions and change in your workplace. Come up with practical ideas to major issues through studying the role academic theory has in the business world.

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Overview

A Professional Doctorate is the same academic level as a PhD (Level 8) and is meant for experienced professionals who want to find practical solutions to business problems and add value to their career.

We know real-world problems happen in fast-paced, complex organisations, which is why this course use theories from lots of disciplines to find the most effective solutions for you. It also uses self-reflection and a practical research approach to help you make a real impact on your profession.

Why us?

University of the Year for Social Inclusion (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
A doctorate is one of the most internationally transferable qualifications
The first 18 months of the programme has a taught element and is designed to prepare you for working and thinking at a doctoral level

We're ranked 2nd in the UK for students’ overall satisfaction with their research degree programme according to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2018
We overlook Canary Wharf, Europe’s most important financial centre
The remainder of the programme, which can last up to six years, is research only based on where you will work with a supervisory team of academic staff (research phase)

Course structure

After you completed all five modules, you'll study independently on a research topic of your choosing, with the help of your academic supervisors. In the research phase, you can attend option study days on a range of topics aimed at helping you with your studies.

At the end of your degree, you'll write either an 80,000-word report with a portfolio of supporting evidence or a thesis - you'll decide which with your Director of Studies. Plus you'll defend your work in the viva voce examination.

Modules: 1 to 6 months

Framing Professional Identity (30 credits)
Practice-based Research (30 credits)

7 to 12 months:

Planning and Contextualisation (60 credits)

13 to 18 months:

Critical Debate in Professional Practice (30 credits)
Practice-based Research 2 (30 credits)

19 to 72 months - research phase

Professional Doctorate Thesis (360 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

To study this course you need:

A first or upper second class UK honours degree or
An equivalent qualification.

You must meet the minimum English language requirements to join the course, including:

IELTS overall score of 6.5
IELTS score of 6.0 in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking (or equivalent)

Professional Doctorate research proposal

You need to write a two to three page proposal that outlines the:

Aims of your doctoral project
Project's relevance to your workplace and profession
Proposed methodology and techniques for analysis
Outline of a potential research plan

Personal statement

You need to write your personal statement (included in the application form) addressing the following:

Your professional experience and standing
The recognition by your peers as a leading professional in your field
The level at which you are operating within your organisation or profession and the extent to which you can provide significant influence or drive substantial change
The opportunity that you have to make a significant contribution to professional practice and/or how you exhibit your powers of creativity and innovation

Additional documents

You also need to provide the following:

Research proposal
Qualification certificates
IELTS certificates, if applicable
Two references, one of which must be academic

Without all of the above documents, we will not be able to make you an offer on this programme.

Fees and finance

2022/23 fees

The annual, full-time, fee for this course is:

£3,980 if you are from the UK (including EU students with settled or pre-settled status resident in the UK)
£7,750 if you are an EU or international student.

From August 2021, EU students who are resident in the EU or elsewhere outside the UK will be charged international fees. Find out more information on how Brexit will impact EU, EAA and Swiss citizens studying in the UK.

For more information on fees and funding, visit our Scholarships pages.

Please note: Fees may be subject to change in the next academic year.

Find out more about paying tuition fees, methods of payment, or read about the scholarships and discounts that might be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

The point of a professional doctorate is to do research that will help your career. Through multi-disciplinary study, you'll get the tools to come up with practical solutions to real-world business problems.

You'll bring value to your company as the research is based on key issues in the organisation, which will make you a highly valued employee and in a good position to apply for promotions.

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Contact

Contact Student Recruitment for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland in London:

020 7531 7333

admissions-london@sunderland.ac.uk.

Page last updated: 01 June 2023

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

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