This site lists doctoral qualifications aimed at those working in nursing, engineering, psychology, law, social work, education and a growing number of other professions.
The DPhil in Literature and Arts considers applications from those who have already been awarded the MSt in Literature and Arts. Applications may also be considered from students with an interdisciplinary Master's degree in the humanities.
Students will often be building on research and skills developed during the MSt in Literature and Arts, and prospective students are recommended to look at the MSt course page as a progression pathway to this DPhil.
DPhil in Literature and Arts Oxford UniversityThe DPhil programme shares the same historical and interdisciplinary scope as the MSt. It is also an interdisciplinary programme which encompasses the disciplines of literature, art and architectural history, history, philosophy and theology. Compared to the MSt, however, students will be working independently towards their own deeply researched 100,000 word thesis, building on sustained independent research over a number of years, and focusing on one specific subject. The thesis can be completed in four to (a maximum) eight years. We encourage students to work towards completion in four to six years and the supervisors help to structure a realistic work schedule and timetable for completion.
The research students on this course carry out independent doctoral research on a subject linked to the British past, c.1450- c.1914. British history is interpreted in the broadest possible sense to include global and imperial connections. For instance, the formation of British culture through the stimuli of influences beyond Europe, from Chinese porcelain to commodities like sugar and tea. Research proposals are welcome across the period, from, for example, Tudor and Jacobean Art and Architecture to the changing place of women in early twentieth century Britain. We have a democratic view of cultural history in which all men's and women's lives play their part.
Students work in at least two of the disciplines and are supervised by academics with two different areas of specialism. The course enables students to make the most of the university's resources (e.g. its libraries, computer facilities, museums and historic monuments) Students are also likely to need to consult archives and other primary sources in different locations depending on their project. There is an attendance requirement for this course of thirty days per academic year, and students will be encouraged to fully participate in the Graduate School in the Department for Continuing Education and to take part in other seminars, workshops and training activities offered across the University.
The DPhil will be awarded on the basis of a thesis and an oral examination. Your thesis will be based on extensive original research and engagement with current scholarship. Students undertaking a part-time DPhil will normally study for four to six years from the time of admission. This compares with a full-time doctorate, which normally takes three to four years to complete.
To be eligible for the course students should:
For further course information visit the Department for Continuing Education website. www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/dphil-in-literature-and-arts
For fees and application process visit the Oxford University's Graduate Admissions website. https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-literature-and-arts?wssl=1
Local history has for more than twenty years formed one of the largest programmes within the Department for Continuing Education. The subject has proved an interesting, rewarding and accessible area of historical studies that has enabled many mature students to become directly involved in individual research. At undergraduate level the Department has, since 1980, offered a Diploma course and, in 1999, introduced a pioneering Internet-delivered Advanced Diploma.
The MSc and DPhil programmes have been a natural progression for the Department, drawing on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history, and profiting from close links with local, social and economic historians elsewhere in the University. The Department introduced a part-time, taught Master’s course in English Local History in 1993. In 1995 it inaugurated, on a pilot basis, a part-time doctoral programme in three subjects, one of which was local history. In 2001 the University judged the pilot scheme to have been successful and confirmed the programme. The MSc and DPhil programmes are overseen by the University’s Continuing Education Board, and admission is through the Department for Continuing Education. All postgraduate students on these courses are now members of the Department’s new Graduate School.
Supervision on the DPhil programme is provided by specialist tutors from the Department and elsewhere in Oxford, and further afield. An impression of interests represented in the Department’s teaching and research supervision can be seen in the Advanced Paper subjects offered as part of the Master’s course:
The part-time DPhil regulations require a minimum period of four years'part-time study (equivalent to two years' full-time). Typically, students take about six years to complete the DPhil. The MSc in English Local History is recommended as preparation for the DPhil* and students building on MSc work usually complete more quickly.
Research students may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the University. In addition, they will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, data collection and analysis, and writing.
For further course information visit the Department for Continuing Education website. www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/dphil-in-english-local-history
For fees and application process visit the Oxford University's Graduate Admissions website. www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-english-local-history?wssl=1
Architectural history has been taught within the Department for many years. The subject is defined broadly to include the built and designed landscape, and aspects of interior design. The programme is designed to enable students, including mature students, to undertake individual research. Past students have studied for the intrinsic interest of the subject as well as in connection with careers in heritage management and conservation.
The programme draws on considerable experience in providing advanced tuition in architectural history. It profits from the close links within the Department between the disciplines of architectural history, art history, design history, English local history and landscape archaeology. It also has links with other parts of the University, particularly the Faculty of History, the Department of the History of Art, and Kellogg College, amongst the Fellows of which is the concentration of architectural historians associated with the University.
Supervision on the DPhil programme is provided by specialist tutors from the Department and elsewhere in Oxford. In broad terms, supervision is possible in most areas of British architectural history (as defined above) from the middle ages to present, and some European topics. In terms of Great Britain, academic staff currently have particular research interests in ecclesiastical buildings; medieval castles, great houses and their landscapes; country houses; vernacular architecture; urban and institutional architecture, especially of London and Oxford, from 1660 to the present.
The part-time DPhil regulations require a period of five to eight years’part-time study (equivalent to three years' full-time). Research students may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the Department. In addition, they will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers both within the Department and elsewhere in the University. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, data collection (which may include fieldwork) and analysis, and writing.
Further course information www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/dphil-in-architectural-history and to apply visit the Oxford University's Graduate Admissions website www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-architectural-history?wssl=1
Oxford is a research-intensive university, and the subject of Archaeology is currently ranked as No.1 in the world by the QS World Rankings.
Archaeology has for more than forty years formed one of the leading subjects within this Department. It has proved a rewarding and accessible area of study that has enabled students to become directly involved in research. At undergraduate level the Department offers a part-time Certificate, a Diploma and Advanced Diploma, and at postgraduate level a taught MSc course in Applied Landscape Archaeology, and a part-time D.Phil by Research.
The part-time D.Phil by Research (full title: Doctor of Philosophy, equivalent to PhD) is assessed by a 80,000 word thesis, and was first offered in Archaeology in 2003. Students normally study for six years (twice the full-time length). It is assessed in exactly the same way as a full-time D.Phil, involving stages of transfer from probationary status to full D.Phil status, and confirmation of eligibility to submit your thesis, culminating in a viva-voce (oral) examination after submission, with one external and one internal examiner.
The award is an Oxford D.Phil which is the same qualification as the full-time version; the part-time programme is overseen by the University’s Continuing Education Board, and admission is online through the University Graduate Admissions Office. All candidates for graduate programmes must also apply for a college place (which is done in the same application) - see 'College affiliation' below.
Supervision is arranged to suit the D.Phil topic, although depending on your topic area, we cannot always guarantee to have appropriate supervision available. It normally involves one or more of the Department's own archaeologists. The Department also has strong links with the School of Archaeology which is responsible for full-time provision within the University; depending on topic, at our request members of the School's academic or research staff may be willing to offer supervision or co-supervision. In the first instance, please consult the D.Phil Programme Director on your proposed topic or chosen study area (see below).
Approved topics of research for the part-time DPhil normally relate to the Department's recognised strengths in landscape, British and professional archaeology. Occasionally other topic areas are approved, subject to an excellent application and supervision being available elsewhere within the university. All admissions and approvals of research topics are subject to the availability of appropriate supervision.
The Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence is a unique part-time degree designed to enhance professional education and practice through rigorous research into complex management issues. It is envisaged that students holding the Professional Doctorate will ultimately lead communities of practice in their specialist profession.
This programme is aimed at senior business professionals aiming to take their career to the next level.
The Professional Doctorate award is distinct from a PhD award in the following respects:
Employers will benefit from supporting students on the programme developing and retaining key talent and building knowledge for competitive advantage.
Students will initially be registered for the degree of DProf. Their status will be probationary until all taught modules have been passed and the proposed research has been assessed as viable.
Each student will be assigned a supervisory team which will provide expert support throughout the taught and research components of the programme.
The first two years of the programme comprise taught modules that prepare students for doctoral level research in Operational Excellence. The taught modules are delivered through a series of nine 2.5 day workshops facilitated by internationally renowned researchers and practitioners. The taught modules are followed by a doctoral research project of 2 plus years.
Each of the taught modules will be summatively assessed by an individual written assignment. Some modules also include a summatively assessed individual presentation. Throughout the taught and research components of the programme supervisors will provide extensive formative feedback on draft work thereby ensuring that work submitted for summative assessment meets required standards.
The Programme consists of 540 credits: 180 credits at level 7 and 360 credits at level 8. The level 7 taught modules are:
Module 1: Designing a Professional Doctoral Research Project (20 credits)
Module 2: Theory & Contemporary Thinking in Operational Excellence (40 credits)
Module 3: Engaging with a Relevant Body of Knowledge (60 credits)
Module 4: Methodological Frameworks Data Collection (60 credits)
Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence (DProf).
Students who successfully complete all taught modules will be eligible to graduate with a step-off award of Master of Business Research (MBusRes) if doctoral level research is not pursued.
Graduates will acquire a widely-respected qualification that clearly demonstrates their intellectual capacity and their ability to innovate and problem-solve.
The programme will also provide global and local networking opportunities – ideas and research experiences will be debated with other students and with faculty.
The Henley Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a part-time professional doctoral degree with an international scope and reputation, designed to enhance executive and professional practice through the application of sound theory and rigorous research into real and complex issues in business and management.
It enhances the capability to develop knowledge and theory, and their application. Key to this is a programme to develop personal, consultancy and research skills in the context of rigorous and relevant research.
If you’re a dentist who has a special interest in oral medicine or want to become a clinical academic, this course is for you. The Professional Doctorate in Oral Medicine provides you with an integrated three-year training programme, so you can gain high-level research expertise alongside your clinical training.
This DClinDent programme will expand your knowledge and skills in oral medicine and provide an excellent preparation for your career as a specialist in this field.
You’ll take a programme of seminars, lectures and tutorials, starting with an introductory course on the fundamentals of oral medicine and its related disciplines before going on to review the clinical and scientific scope of the subject and determine its evidence base.
You’ll then enter supervised clinical practice, conducting treatment planning and clinical procedures, including a number of complex treatments.
You’ll also complete a research project, where you’ll demonstrate the application of scientific method to a problem in oral medicine. This project will then form the basis of your dissertation. Over the duration of the programme, you’ll gain advanced research skills to professional doctorate level and develop sophisticated critical appraisal skills in relation to published literature.
In addition to your studies, you’ll also have a chance to interact with external specialists, through an extensive seminar series held within the Institute of Dentistry, the Blizard Institute and Queen Mary as a whole.
The programme includes:
You'll be taught through a combination of expert seminars, supervised clinical sessions, one-to-one tutorials, self-directed learning, case presentations and reading. You'll also be taught relevant laboratory methodology.
Your individual study time could be spent preparing for, or following up on, formal study sessions, reading, producing written work, completing projects and revising for examinations.
The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments.
You will be assigned an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.
This professional doctorate programme includes weekly teaching and clinical contact hours in addition to numerous hours of independent learning and research. Please contact the course convenor for information on the number of contact hours per week for this programme.
New postgraduate study and research facilities are available in the state of the art Blizard building, as well as the Institute of Dentistry, and include:
If you study with us, you will join a dynamic, successful school with a first-class reputation: the Institute is ranked first in the UK for dentistry in the 2019 Complete University Guide, and joint first for our research impact (REF 2014).
The Institute of Dentistry is a special place to undertake your postgraduate studies. We bring together a number of world-leading researchers in basic and clinical sciences who supervise research students in the fields of oral medicine, oral pathology, oral microbiology, oral epidemiology, oncology, dental biomaterials, dental biophysics, dental public health, dental education, periodontology, orthodontics, paediatric, prosthetic and conservative dentistry.
The Institute is based in Whitechapel and offers cutting-edge technology, a superb education and first-class research facilities.
The Institute of Dentistry is part of Queen Mary’s Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Queen Mary is part of the University of London and a member of the Russell Group.
The UCL Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) is a professional training course for Clinical Psychologists in the United Kingdom, and welcomes high-calibre candidates from the UK and abroad. The course provides a first-rate training in clinical psychology, leading to a doctoral qualification accredited by the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The DClinPsy programme offers a clinical training supervised by high calibre clinicians including those working in national centres of excellence. This is coupled with the opportunity to undertake research supervised by world-renowned academics who are research leaders in psychotherapy outcomes, psychoanalysis, attachment, psychopharmacology and cognitive behavioural therapy. Our aim is to train ‘thinking psychologists’ who can make significant national and international contributions to clinical psychology services and the development of clinical science.
Department: Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology
More information can be found on the department website: Clinical Psychology DClinPsy
There are six placement periods of six months each.
Many graduates on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology go on to become professional practitioners either in the NHS, local councils, charities, in private practice or other settings.
Employability:
Clinical psychology training courses are the primary route to becoming a qualified clinical psychologist in the UK. The UCL DClinPsy is the largest course of its kind in the UK and will give graduates the skills required to become a clinical psychologist working in national and international healthcare settings.
Networking:
The department has research collaborations with many institutions including the Anna Freud Centre and Yale Child Study Centre. We also invite speakers from external institutions and professionals working for health services to give lectures to our students.
This is a full time three year professional course, leading to a Doctoral qualification in clinical psychology. Graduates are qualified to work as Clinical Psychologists. There are four key strands around which course delivery is organised: (1) Academic Competence; (2) Clinical Competence; (3) Research Competence; (4) Personal Development. Programme delivery is through active learning workshops based on adult learning principles including experiential learning, skills practice and reflective practice.
This is a full time three year professional course, leading to a Doctoral qualification in clinical psychology. Graduates are qualified to work as Clinical Psychologists. The programme is designed around the Accreditation Guidelines of the Psychological Society of Ireland for postgraduate courses in Clinical Psychology. There are four key strands around which course delivery is organised: (1) Academic Competence; (2) Clinical Competence; (3) Research Competence; (4) Personal Development. The programme is primarily based on the principles of life-span developmental psychology as applied in the clinical setting. There is a strong emphasis on empirically based theoretical orientations including psycho-dynamic, cognitive and behavioural theories. Programme delivery is through active learning workshops based on adult learning principles including experiential learning, skills practice and reflective practice.
Clinical Psychologists to work in the Health Service, Voluntary Body Sector, The Prison Service and other related areas.
The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Sustainable Urban Development is a part-time programme that provides outstanding students an opportunity to pursue in-depth and rigorous research about the pressing challenges of urban sustainability and the processes of environmental, economic, and social development in urban environments around the world.
Students admitted to the programme are usually motivated to undertake detailed research in preparation for an academic career and other research-intensive occupations; to have a substantial impact on future policy-making processes; or to pursue and/or advance their professional career at organizations and institutions operating in the field of sustainable urban development. The course provides the student with support and an intellectual environment by leading scholars in the field to pursue independent research.
The DPhil programme welcomes applications from those with a Master’s in a related subject, as well as applications from those already awarded the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development from this University.
Supervision is available from a range of specialists across the University of Oxford.
The DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development is a research doctorate, which culminates in a substantive academic thesis of around 100,000 words. As such, successful applicants will have a very strong academic record, as well as showing great aptitude through their academic proposal, and a display of future potential. Although we are keen to attract individuals for whom there is a strong overlap between academic and career interests, DPhil candidates will be examined solely on the intellectual quality of the final thesis and performance in a viva voce. Intellectual drive, ambition and vision are therefore crucial attributes.
There is an expectation that candidates will read widely and in depth throughout their time on the programme, and show the ability to think about and critique current theoretical thinking in their chosen area of study. It is hoped that the final thesis might substantially advance theoretical thinking (in addition to broadening the empirical base) within a number of interdisciplinary areas.
This DPhil programme is taken over a minimum of four years (12 terms) and a maximum of eight years (24 terms). Students are required to attend a minimum of 30 days of university-based work each year for the duration of the studies, to be arranged with the agreement of the supervisor. As part of the minimum 30 days per year requirement, students are expected to take part in three termly Doctoral Weeks (see below).
Students admitted to this degree conduct their own research under the guidance of a University supervisor, who will advise on all aspects of training, development and academic progress. Students must be prepared to work independently a good deal, and will need considerable personal motivation. Students are required to have a good general knowledge of the field within which research falls and of the methods appropriate to the study of this field. Throughout the period of study, students are part of a thriving international graduate community of peers engaged with sustainable urban development, including students in our MSc in Sustainable Urban Development.
Students are admitted initially as a Probationary Research Student (PRS), in line with University regulations on doctorates. During the probationary period, students develop and begin work on the thesis topic. They will develop research skills through a range of training and skills development offered during the termly Doctoral Week, as well as via the Department’s Graduate School and other units across the University.
The termly Doctoral Week brings together students from all cohorts on the programme to discuss relevant topics in sustainable urban development, as well as to develop research skills and engage it additional research training and development.
Students must apply for a Transfer of Status from PRS to DPhil status between the 6th and the 8th terms after admission (each academic year at Oxford has three terms). This involves the submission of a piece of written work that is examined by two assessors (neither of whom will be supervisors). This process is to ensure that the student’s work is of potential DPhil quality and that the methodology of the research is appropriate and feasible. Upon successful completion of the Transfer of Status, students usually undertake a period of fieldwork over one to two years.
Students will also be required to apply for a Confirmation of Status as DPhil sometime between the 12th and 18th terms after admission. This will also involve the submission of a piece of written work that is assessed by two assessors (neither of whom are supervisors). The Confirmation assessment is different to the Transfer assessment as the assessors will be focusing on how the research is progressing, the quality of the draft thesis chapters, and on the plan for completion. The assessors will be looking to ensure that the student is making the appropriate amount of progress in the development of the thesis, so that thesis submission will be achieved within the time limit.
Award of the DPhil is dependent upon completion of a 100,000-word doctoral thesis within an area of Sustainable Urban Development to the satisfaction of two examiners (neither of whom are supervisors) and defending that thesis in a more formal viva voce with the two examiners.
This course is not open to International students.
Do you want to learn the theory and application of clinical hypnotherapy? This course will help you gain theoretical and practical knowledge of hypnosis and related techniques. You will improve and enhance your consultation skills and widen your approaches to common mental health problems.
This programme can be studied part-time at a variety of levels and is run in partnership with the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH).
You will learn through lead lectures, group discussion, practical demonstrations and guided student-to- student practice.
You will be taught by experienced practising clinicians and academics from medicine, dentistry, psychology and nursing who are accredited by BSCAH.
The course will include four two-day attendance over a 10 month period at City South Campus where full access to library, student support and simulation facilities will be available.
You will study part time, tutorial support and supervision is available throughout the course and Moodle online resources supplement the face to face teaching.
Students enrolling on the course will have full access to the student support and our library and resources.
This course will involve group work. You will be invited to work in pairs/threes/ small groups to practice techniques that have been demonstrated. Supervision and advice will be to hand for help and guidance.
You will be invited to discuss cases with the class. These can be from your professional or personal experiences. All cases will be dealt with confidentially. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss any work related problems you may have with implementation of your new skills with the other students/staff.
Past students have reported favourably on the feedback from their fellow clinicians when dealing with professional or personal matters.
After graduating from this course, you will have the opportunity to and achieve professional accreditation with BSCAH.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge learning facilities.
This course will give you enhanced communication skills with patients and clients.
You will also be able to support patients with relaxation and stress reduction strategies.
Previous students who have successfully integrated Clinical Hypnosis into their practice include:
They have gone on to educate their respective teams about the benefits of communication techniques within clinical practice.
If you’re seeking a new challenge in your professional and personal development, our Doctorate in Health and Social Care could be for you. Designed to support experienced professionals, our Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) enables committed professionals to study flexibly to achieve a doctorate.
This innovative, part-time programme is designed to support original research that will have an impact on health and social care practice or policy. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own practice-based research in a structured and supportive environment.
You’ll undertake four years of part-time study, in two stages:
Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
This comprises the ‘taught’ component of the programme, which will equip you with the skills and knowledge to support your engagement with the research and the practice field in which your project is located. This phase will involve you studying online modules on topics including:
· the context of health and social care research
· literature review
· ethics
· the principles of research design
· methods of data collection and analysis.
Stage 1 is assessed through the submission of formative and summative assignments that focus on developing your literature review, refining your research questions and your proposal for research.
Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
Students who successfully complete Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2 – the ‘research’ component of the programme. During this time, you’ll carry out your study and work towards completing your thesis. The research stage has a structured schedule of submission of assignments which will pace you through ‘work in progress’ pieces and provide regular opportunities for feedback on your progress.
Throughout both stages you’ll be supported through online seminar discussions and annual residential weekends at the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes. You’ll be allocated two supervisors – your main one in year 1 and a co-supervisor in year 2.
Our next intake to the DHSC is October 2020 – the formal application period will open on the 1st November 2019 and close on the 31st January 2020. We welcome research proposals that fall into one of the following areas of study.
You’ll need to send your completed application form and research proposal to – [email protected]. The application form and research proposal template can be found on our website and contains more information on what you need to include with your application.
Visit our website for more information on the application process and to download relevant forms: http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/professional-doctorates_process
If you’re seeking a new challenge in your professional and personal development, our Doctorate in Education could be for you. Designed to support experienced professionals, our Doctorate in Education (EdD) enables committed professionals to study flexibly to achieve a doctorate.
This innovative, part-time programme is designed to support original research that will have an impact on education practice or policy. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own practice-based research in a structured and supportive environment.
You’ll undertake four years of part-time study, in two stages:
Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
This comprises the ‘taught’ component of the programme, which will equip you with the skills and knowledge to support your engagement with the research and the practice field in which your project is located. This phase will involve you studying online modules on topics including:
· the context of education research
· literature review
· ethics
· the principles of research design
· methods of data collection and analysis.
Stage 1 is assessed through the submission of formative and summative assignments that focus on developing your literature review, refining your research questions and your proposal for research.
Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
Students who successfully complete Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2 – the ‘research’ component of the programme. During this time, you’ll carry out your study and work towards completing your thesis. The research stage has a structured schedule of submission of assignments which will pace you through ‘work in progress’ pieces and provide regular opportunities for feedback on your progress.
Throughout both stages you’ll be supported through online seminar discussions and annual residential weekends at the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes. You’ll be allocated two supervisors – your main one in year 1 and a co-supervisor in year 2.
Our next intake to the EdD is October 2020 – the formal application period will open on the 1st November 2019 and close on the 31st January 2020. We welcome research proposals that fall into one of the following areas of study.
· Child and youth studies
· Curriculum, equity and assessment
· Educational leadership, management and development
· Technology enhanced learning
· Language and literacy
You’ll need to send your completed application form and research proposal to – [email protected]. The application form and research proposal template can be found on our website and contains more information on what you need to include with your application.
Visit our website for more information on the application process and to download relevant forms: http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/research-degrees/how-to-apply/professional-doctorates_process
The Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice develops current and aspiring criminal justice professionals to operate confidently at a strategic level, providing skills to drive evidence-based change and improve criminal justice performance. You’ll develop a critical awareness of topics at the forefront of criminal justice and the contexts and theories that influence practice in these areas.
The bespoke qualification can be tailored to professional requirements, thereby increasing the potential for personal development and career progression. Online resources also provide the flexibility to study when and where it suits you, within a guided and structured framework. The course is taught by lecturers with frontline experience in criminal justice organisations and those who are research active in this area.
Extensive resources are available to support your studies (ie SPSS) provided by LIS- library and IT staff.
LIS provide access to a huge range of electronic resources - e-journals and databases, eBooks, images and texts. As this course is exclusively online, the programme will make extensive use of Blackboard (eLearn), which promotes access to a variety of resources and materials designed to meet the learning needs of distance learning students.
The course team is led by Professor Stuart Kirby, Ph.D., C.Psychol. Stuart served within Lancashire Police between 1977 – 2007 in a variety of uniform and detective roles retiring as Detective Chief Superintendent, Specialist Crime and Operations Division. Since then he has worked at Lancaster University and latterly at The University of Central Lancashire. His Ph.D. was on the subject of Child Sex Offenders and he has conducted research and published widely in the area of policing, crime reduction, and serious and organised crime. He has also designed and presented Criminal Justice lectures and programmes to academic audiences and Criminal Justice Agencies in the UK and internationally (Europe, UAE, India, North America, Australia).
The Professional Doctorate course is delivered by a diverse range of experienced research/practitioner active staff from within the School of Forensic and Applied Sciences and other schools. You can access information (e.g. about staff research interest and publications) via staff profiles (available through the appropriate School web pages). In addition specialist staff such as those from the University Learning Information Service may contribute to modules where their particular expertise will enhance your learning experience.
Established professional links with Lancashire Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies, regionally, nationally and internationally. Mixed skill set within Prof Doc students provides a great networking experience.
The Professional Doctorate course is delivered by a diverse range of experienced research/practitioner active staff from within the School of Forensic and Applied Sciences and other schools. In addition specialist staff such as those from the University Learning Information Service may contribute to modules where their particular expertise will enhance your learning experience.
Offering an equivalent to PhD level, the DProf Computing provides an opportunity for those working in the software or IT industry to complete a programme of study that will lead to a doctorate qualification. The course aims to develop and enhance your understanding of professional practice through academic research. On completion of the course you will have achieved a high degree of personal development and produced an original piece of work that contributes to professional knowledge in the software or IT workplace. Members of the course team have extensive experience of doing industry-based research, with a focus on Agile approaches and User Experience Design.
The two-stage structure means practitioners can progressively develop their research in practice part-time culminating in doctoral research. Stage 1 consists of existing Masters modules that prepare students for the Stage 2 work that comprises original research:
Stage 1 is module-based, involving learning and reflection designed for practicing professionals. This study helps you to develop knowledge of relevant theory and skills in practitioner inquiry and research alongside a professional understanding of your field.
Stage 2 is research-based, and involves you undertaking empirical research into a topic related to practice culminating in writing a doctoral thesis. Alongside this you take one module that supports professional reflective practice.
The learning environment is designed to be flexible to suit the needs of students who are also employed in the workplace.
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate with the same status as a PhD. It is the highest qualification available in business and management, designed for senior professionals who wish to advance their careers by developing their academic research and critical thinking skills.
The Northampton DBA is a part-time programme that typically runs over four years. The first two years are structured around facilitated modules that provide the foundations for the research project, the main element of the DBA. This research project needs to make a significant contribution to professional practice by developing existing theories and knowledge.
The DBA provides the opportunity for you to cultivate the skills needed to find better solutions for intractable problems and develop new paradigms for the increasingly complex, turbulent and interconnected business environment. It does this by:
Through undertaking rigorous research into a meaningful and complex issue within your own organisation, you will make a direct contribution to your executive or professional practice.
In this way, the Northampton DBA will enable you to differentiate yourself, not just in terms of having the qualification, but also in the way you work and think.
Please visit the application support page for further information.
Please see the DBA Module Progression Download for further information about module content.
Principles of Research
This module provides you with an opportunity to explore the principles of research which underpin investigations in a variety of applied settings. You will critically examine the various ontological and epistemological approaches to knowledge within your discipline and develop a critical awareness of the ethical dilemmas.
Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis
This module will develop your skills in quantitative data analysis to an advanced level. You will have the opportunity to develop operational familiarity with a wide range of data management and analytic techniques which are commonly in use in professional
research. You will explore how these techniques may be applied in practice by interrogating established research data sets. By the end of the module, you will be conversant with a broad range of tools which may be considered for use in your doctoral thesis.
Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis
In recent years, the application of qualitative approaches to both research and evaluation within the professional arena has been steadily gathering momentum. Some would argue that such techniques can help bridge the gap between scientific evidence and professional work-based practice by enabling researchers to gather ‘richer’ descriptive data which provides valuable insights into the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of a range of stakeholders. By the end of the module, you will be conversant with a broad range of tools and techniques associated with qualitative methodological approaches, and their philosophical underpinnings, which will then be considered for use in the doctoral thesis.
Developing Leadership in Business Research
This module focuses on the translation of research into practice through the review of research culture, research opportunities, and investigation of issues associated with the leadership and management of research. You will examine potential barriers to the development of a research-based work environment in business including those at organizational, strategic, inter- and intrapersonal levels. You will explore mechanisms for overcoming such hurdles and develop innovative research leadership strategies appropriate for your own working environments across blended interests of public, private, third or community sectors within a corporate citizenship paradigm.
Reflecting on Business Practice
This module provides you with the opportunity to acquire appropriate evidence and to critically reflect upon existing practice and your own experiences within a professional context. You are required to identify an appropriate topic aligned to your professional area and explore the appropriateness of current practice by designing, carrying out and analysing an appropriate audit or evaluation with a clear reference to the contextual research literature. This may include examination of an issue related to business management or organisational related training or education. You should reflect on your findings and make evidence-based recommendations for the improvement of practice environments across blended areas of public, private, third and community sectors within a corporate citizenship paradigm.
The Research Proposal
This module draws together the knowledge and skills provided in the preceding modules so that you can define an original work-based research project with clear aims and research philosophical underpinning. You will be expected to develop this into a robust research proposal that covers methodology, data collection methods and ethical considerations as well as clear aims and objectives.
Professional Research Project
The thesis element of a professional doctorate programme provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate high-level research skills in a written thesis and defend it at an oral examination.
You can study an MRes or an MPhil research postgraduate degree which you can then either continue to PhD or apply your specialist expertise to a number of industry areas. The Department of Sociology offers you a wide range of possible research options. The team at Aberdeen specialist in very diverse areas of sociology such as:
The discipline attracts international academics with wide ranging lecturing and research portfolios worldwide and it attracts an equally diverse student cohort. Research is conducted at the New Europe Centre. This centre researches Europe in terms of behaviour, values, people and policy. There is a seminar series in the discipline area and there are also seminars and events in the wider School and University which you are welcome to attend.
Research centres include the New Europe Centre, and Centre for Global Security and Governance. Staff research interests include political economy and biosocial theory, the changing nature of religion, religion and sexual deviance, gender, ethnic identity, nationalisms, racism, societal change, peace and conflict studies, civil war, quality of life and community wellbeing and more.
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You can study an MPhil in Real Estate which you can either continue to PhD or apply your expertise and specialist skills to the sector. The Real Estate discipline is part of the Business School and it is organised in the Centre for Real Estate Research. Real Estate research is integrated across five distinct themes in the Business School which are:
Research in the Business School was ranked at 88% ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impacts on society, organisations and the economy (REF 2014). Research in the Business School is conducted within Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance, The Centre for Real Estate Research, Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory and The Centre for European Labour Market Research.
The Business School is ranked as a top three UK university for impact in Business and Management Studies (Times Higher Education REF 2014) The School offers many programmes which are relevant to the 20 FTSE 100 companies located in Aberdeen to allow students to quickly deliver innovation and business management in the workplace. There are over 83500 alumni across 192 countries in top positions. Students have access to Bloomberg Terminal software and the Virtual Finance Lab. The Business School is a member of the Business Education Alliance.
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Researchers use behavioural and neuroimaging techniques to understand the relationship between perception and environment among clinical and healthy individuals. Research is grouped around three themes which are:
The School offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Psychology degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society. Within these themes there are specialist groups who conduct research, funded by research councils, governments and charitable groups. Psychology has been taught at The University of Aberdeen since 1896 when the Anderson Lectureship in Comparative Psychology was founded. The lectureship resulted from a bequest from Reverend William Anderson to then continue research.
In addition to the three themes, the Applied Psychology and Human Factors Group researches human factors, clinical psychology and pedagogical research in a multidisciplinary environment and via groups in other School such as Aberdeen Neuroscience network. There are numerous facilities to support research and these include:
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You can study an MRes by research or an MPhil by research which you can then continue to PhD or apply your knowledge within industry. We investigate some of the world’s most challenging problems across state, regional and international issues and we work across disciplines. Research is grouped into four key themes which include:
Successful postgraduates work in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, MOD, foreign governments, military services, research consultancies, international business and banking, parliamentary research, marketing, lobbying and academic careers. You study in the Department of Politics and International Relations within The School of Social Science. Research supervisors focus on political problems facing democracy, disputes, power-sharing, multi ethnic states, the European Union, and interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinary research focuses more on topics such as energy policy, environmental policy, health policy, identify politics, gender and ethnicity and international politics.
The MPhil is a research degree is taken over 24 months on a full-time basis or 48 months on a part time basis. The MRes in Social Research is a one-year degree which combines specialist and generic training to allow you to either apply your knowledge in third and public sector policy work or continue on to a PhD. The Department of Politics and International Relations offer a wide range of seminars and events which you are welcome to attend.
The School of Social Sciences offer a wide range of research across sociology, anthropology and politics and international relations. Research centres include the New Europe Centre and the Centre for Global Security and Governance.
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The MSc by research degree covers a wide range of areas which range from Astronomy and Engineering to Complex Systems and Mathematical Modelling. The research is interdisciplinary with links to engineering, chemistry, biological sciences, orthopaedics, biology, biomedical sciences, medical sciences and geology.
Research includes:
The Department of Physics has produced world innovating Physicists such as James Clerk Maxwell who invented the first colour photograph in 1861. Research within the Department allows you to gain ‘hands on’ knowledge and research which is action orientated, and experimental across theoretical areas. Research covers general relativity, solid-state physics, dynamical systems and chaos.
Graduates go on to careers in meteorology, medical physics, environmental monitoring, astronomy, particle physics, geophysics, materials science, invention, design, teaching and financial modelling. The Department of Physics is cross disciplinary in nature. Research takes place within the Department and Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Bio.
You are welcome to attend events and seminars in the Department of Physics, The School of Natural and Computing Science and the wider University whilst you study.
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If you want to study an MSc by research within nutrition and health related areas this programme will enable you to take full advantage of this and the wide ranging research areas open to you. You study at the world renowned Rowett Institute. The Institute has had a major positive impact on human nutrition and animal health for over 100 years. It offers four main research themes which are:
The Institute offers state of the art facilities which include a human nutrition unit, core facilities, metabolite, DNA and protein analysis and suites of modern purpose designed research laboratories. The Rowett Institute concentrated on diseases of malnutrition before the Second World War and after the war it identified many micronutrients and their importance in the diet. Today it focuses on the increasing problems of human diet and wellbeing.
The Institute provides knowledge exchange across industry and its research directly influences policy, the food industry and new innovations to better understand public health impacts from different sources of nutrition. There is a lively range of seminars and events at the Rowett Institute and the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition and across the wider University.
The Rowett Institute offers facilities to support research across genomics, proteomics, mass spectrometry, chemistry, liquid and gas chromatography, and gas isotope radio mass spectrometry.
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You can study both an MMus or MPhil by research within the Department of Music. Music at Aberdeen offers you a flourishing research environment in composition, instrumental, electroacoustic, historical, computational and sonic arts and sound studies. Research staff regularly perform on BBC radio and television and their work is performed across the world. Postgraduates can study an MMus by research in musicology, composition, performance, sonic arts, or vocal music.
Research groups are interdisciplinary, and they include:
The Department has 10 academic members of staff with over 30 visiting instrumental teachers. There are regular seminars and musical events in the Department of Music. The Department provides a lively range of concerts which are held in Kings College Chapel, the Blue Lamp and other venues across the campus and citywide covering many genres of music. There is a postgraduate reading group which is run by postgraduate students for postgraduate students to discuss musical topics and there is a composer’s forum.
Areas of research interests include:
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You can research for either an MREs or an MPhil in Management. You can design your research and draw from research experiences which are cross disciplinary due to the nature of management cutting across disciplines. You may then decide to continue to study a PhD or you may apply your skills and knowledge to a wide range of industry needs. The Business School provides research across economics, general practice, public health, and health economics. We won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2018 for continuous research over the past 40 years which has had a significant impact on behaviour, surgery and health improvements in the UK and beyond by combining economics and health research.
Research is interdisciplinary, and it includes research groups in:
Our Department focus on a number of key management issues which include change, innovation, entrepreneurship, work and family, future of work, health care management, operations management and consumer marketing.
There are five distinct themes in the Business School which include:
We offer a great range of facilities which includes the Thomson Reuters Data scope and DataStream database amongst others. Our graduates are in high demand within financial industries globally. Management research and analytical skills are highly applicable to a wide range of disciplines and sectors including multinational industries and new innovations. Many of our research students apply their knowledge to become specialists and they return to senior positions in their own country.
The Business School has been ranked third in the UK for impact in Business and Management Studies (Times Higher Education REF 2014 GPA scores). Our postgraduate taught degrees often carry professional accreditations from CIM, ACCA, CIMA and other internationally recognised professional bodies and this allows our students to gain a head start in business.
We offer an active range of research centres which cut across many industries. These include:
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Based on the School of Language, Literature, Film and Visual Culture you can study by research for either an MLitt or a MPhil. Both research programmes draw upon a rich cultural history which includes Romanticism, literature, society and history from medieval times to the current day in Germany and Austria. After English, German is the most widely used language in Europe and staff are native speakers from Germany and Austria. The undergraduate degree allows complete beginners to study at undergraduate level and there are a number of joint degrees available at this level.
The German Drama Group offers you an opportunity to meet German students who are studying in Aberdeen. This improves and widens your language skills whilst putting on a drama production. Graduates go on to various careers which include business, public sector, EU administration, teaching and academia and more.
Research interests include:
You study in The School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture where you can attend seminars and events across the School and the wider university. The School is one of the largest schools in the arts and social sciences and it offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Research Centres include:
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If you want to study a specific area of geology the School of Geosciences offers an MSc by research degree. The Department researches subsurface earth science across time and it offers an excellent range of facilities to support this learning which includes CL, EPMA< FI, SEM/EDAX, GC and GC-MS equipment and well equipped seismic and petrophysics laboratories.
The MSc by research offers you the opportunity to undertake a research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. There are no formal lectures or seminars and your research is not formally examined until you submit your thesis. The thesis needs to show originality and critical analysis of existing knowledge in the field your research. You are welcome to attend the events and research seminars across the School of Geosciences and the wider University whilst you study.
There are various careers open to geologists and these include environmental and technical work in environment and engineering consultancies across the world, continuation to academia, public and private sector business and other organisations which require specialist skills in geology.
Research across the School of Geosciences and the Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology concentrates on geological evolution of sedimentary basins due to their ability to capture significant amounts of historical geological data to anlayse climate, tectonic evolution, lithosphere, fossil fuels, water resources and economic minerals. Research is undertaken by two research groups which include:
The Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology draws from significant work with the energy sector and it draws from consultancy work with research partners located across the oil and gas industry in the city. The University of Aberdeen has been training and educating geologists for more than 120 years and it is currently ranked '6th in the UK for Geology.' The department attracts international academics and research staff and students come from all over the world. Undergraduate degrees are fully accredited by the Geological Society of London and the department offers wide ranging professional development courses such as Turnstone and exploHUB.
The research team are all active in key professional organisations such as The American Association of Petroleum Geologists and Aberdeen Geological Society. There is an extensive network of former students and friends who are members of the Aberdeen Geological Alumni.
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If you want to take a research postgraduate degree in Geography we offer an MRes and an MSc by research. We draw from interdisciplinary research across social, environmental, geosciences and sustainability challenges from rapid environmental change on contemporary surface processes. There are several career directions you can take with either an MSc by research or MREs in Geography which include working in the public sector, environmental consultancy, continuing in academia, working within third sector organisations and more. You can also continue your research to gain a PhD.
Research themes include:
There are several centres of excellence in geography and environmental discipline areas which include:
The Department of Geography and Environment sits within the School of Geosciences. Research is carried out across multiple environmental areas and it is often interdisciplinary in nature. Human Geography focuses on two main themes of Transport and Mobility and Digital Economy and Rural Change. The Department of Geography and Environment offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate level degrees. There are a wide range of events and seminars which you are encouraged to attend within the Department of Geography, The School of Geosciences and the wider University.
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The French MLitt allows you to research French at postgraduate level and either continue your studies on to a PhD or apply your knowledge across a wide variety of industries internationally. You draw from an incredible history and culture from medieval times to the present day. This programme is based on the School of Language, Literature, Film and Visual Culture. You benefit from international academics with impressive research portfolios and cross disciplinary links within literature, philosophy, film, history of art. As a fluent French speaker, you will have a range of career opportunities available to you after graduating in areas such as publishing, tourism, academia, politics, and much more.
There are two centres in the School of Language, Literature, Film and Visual Culture which are:
Wider research centres in the School of Language, Literature, Film and Visual Culture include:
There is a seminar series for linguistic research which you are welcome to attend along with other events in the School and across the wider university.
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A Finance research degree allows you the opportunity to specialise in a specific area of interest to yourself or your employer. You can continue to study for a PhD or you can apply your knowledge across financial industry areas. Previous graduates have gone on to positions in lecturing and research, public and private sector accounting and management, fund management, stockbroking, investment analysis, banking and financial services. You study with a wide range of international supervisors all offering significant research and consultancy knowledge which has been internationally recognised. Staff regularly visit universities around the world and the Department hosts visiting academics.
The Finance Group are active in the following research areas:
The Economics Group focus on the following themes:
Economics research cuts across numerous disciplines and distinct research themes in the Business School. Find out more about research themes and centres in the Business School Founded in 1495 the University and the Business School is internationally recognised for research and the Business School is ranked in the top three in the UK for impact (REF 2014 GPA)
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If you would like a more flexible research postgraduate degree, the MPhil or MLitt will allow you to choose your research interests and either study towards an PhD or apply your learning within a variety of industries. The postgraduate research programme allows you to contextualise approaches to literature. Research centres include:
You are supervised by internationally recognised research and academic staff from the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture. The English Department was founded in 1894. There are around 20 staff and every period of literature is taught from medieval to contemporary literature. There are specialists in English, Scottish, Irish and American literature and many students take joint degrees with Film and Visual Culture. The Department has worked on major projects such as Cambridge Edition works of Jane Austin and Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels of Sir Walter Scott.
Literature includes the work of Shakespeare, Spenser, Milton, James, Eliot and the Bronte’s. The School is home to the Walter Scott Research Centre, The WORD Centre for Creative Writing and a Centre for the Novel. There is also an interdisciplinary centre for Early Modern Studies.
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