Overview
This course is for advanced health or social care practitioners with postgraduate qualifications, who want to take an innovative lead in their speciality through original, published research.
The Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DProfHSC) provides an opportunity for health and social care practitioners to plan and undertake doctoral research with the aim of developing an area of their professional practice and making an original contribution to existing knowledge in their field.
The DProfHSC is undertaken in two stages. During Stage 1 students undertake three 30 credit Level 7 modules, including:
- Advanced Professional Practice
- Critically Reviewing the Evidence
- Advanced Research Methods
The modules undertaken in Stage 1 help students to prepare for the research they will go on to undertake in Stage 2.
Throughout both stages of the programme students will be supported by advisors and supervisors who have broad areas of interest and expertise, including nursing, midwifery, social work, social care, acute care, emergency care, primary and community care, public health, child health and much more.
Students are also encouraged to actively engage with the Faculty's and the University's research training and exciting research activities, including conferences, seminar programmes, invited speakers and much more.
Supervision and support
We can support and supervise doctoral students in most areas of health and social care. Please contact us to discuss this further.
Where you'll research
Your faculty
The Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care is the largest in ARU, with over 7,000 students. Our Faculty is teeming with expertise and primed to meet the demand for creating health professionals, teachers, doctors, scientists and educators for the three districts we serve: Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough.
We have been training undergraduates for professional roles for over 25 years, with a reputation for quality, dedication and ambition balanced with student satisfaction.
We know that to give our students the very best experiential learning, prior to getting into the workplace, simulation is second to none, for safe, realistic, learning environments. We have invested heavily in purpose built simulated wards, science labs and skills space, to support our students through their learning.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK & EU students, 2019/20 (Part-time, per year)
£2,164
International students, 2019/20 (part-time, per year)
£6,550
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/ exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2019/20 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,000
- £2,000
- £4,000
- £8,000
Writing up fees 2019-20
Part time: £1,000
Full time: £1,800
Funding
For advice on funding, scholarships and PhD studentship opportunities, please visit our finance pages for postgraduate students and researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
Anglia Ruskin's academic excellence was recognised in 2014, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Twelve areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on economies, societies, the environment and culture in all corners of the globe.
Careers
You’ll receive comprehensive postgraduate training and develop transferrable skills that will equip you for your research project and wider career.
These skills include research planning, use of research methods and techniques, development of theoretical concepts, research analysis, conference presentation, academic writing and publishing.
We’ll encourage you to publish articles during your research project and present your findings at conferences, including those we hold here at the University.
Many of our research graduates enhance their careers by using their findings to recommend new policies or pilot new practice, locally or nationally.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities, please email our Programme Director, Dr Leslie Gelling (leslie.gelling@anglia.ac.uk) or our Programme Administrator (mina.thompson@anglia.ac.uk).
Entry requirements
Main
For entry into the Professional Doctorate, applicants are normally expected to hold a Masters degree and be working in or able to access a professional practice setting in which to carry out their research. Exceptions are considered on an individual basis, where applicants can demonstrate evidence of postgraduate study or publications suitable to prepare them for doctoral level study.
If English is not your first language, you’ll also need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
