FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 8 (Doctoral) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Please Note

After successful completition of the four taught modules, candidates progress to the research component to undertake a 35-45,000 word thesis.

Course Aims

To enable experienced professionals in social work and closely related professions successfully to undertake doctoral level enquiry and research on problems of direct relevance to their own professional interests and institutional concerns.
To support participants in the systematic acquisition of knowledge and the development of understanding of issues central to their academic discipline and area of professional practice.
To facilitate students in creating and interpreting new knowledge and understanding in their professional field, through advanced scholarship and individual research, to peer review standard, extending the forefront of the discipline and professional practice.
To enhance participants' understanding of the nature and conduct of research and evaluation in professional and organisational contexts, and the use of research within organisations.
To enable students to develop and enhance their abilities to conceptualise, design and implement a research project, and to make informed judgements on complex issues, as appropriate to the problem explored, the area of professional practice, and the academic discipline.
To develop further candidates' transferable skills in working effectively, both autonomously and as members of a group, with complexity and uncertainty in professional and equivalent environments.

Course Learning Outcomes

Candidates successfully completing the doctorate will demonstrate:
The ability to design, conceptualise, conduct, analyse and report on an original research investigation into an area relevant to their professional discipline, at doctoral level and to peer review standard.
The ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research investigation, its claims to knowledge and its relevance for professional practice.
The ability to make an original contribution to professional knowledge and understanding in their field.

A. Knowledge and Understanding

Successful students will demonstrate:
In-depth knowledge, systematic understanding and assimilation of a substantial body of relevant research literature, and the ability to appraise it critically.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant theory, and the ability to draw upon it to conceptualise research problems, interpret their findings and draw inferences for practice.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the legal, policy, organisational and wider contexts of the professional field, and the ability to locate their work critically within these contexts
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of research methodologies and methods, and the ability to provide a critical justification for the approach taken.
The ability to analyse ethical dilemmas in their research, to manage these effectively in research practice, and work pro-actively with others to formulate solutions.

B. Intellectual Skills

Successful students will demonstrate the following cognitive and intellectual skills :
The ability to analyse complex material and issues, and to manage complexity, uncertainty and contradictions in their area of knowledge, research and professional practice.
The capacity to synthesise wide-ranging material, ideas and research approaches, to contribute to the development of research and professional practice.
The capacity to reflect critically on research findings and to evaluate their quality and relevance for professional practice.
The ability to reflect critically on the development of their own understanding and use of research methods and methodologies.
The ability to act independently in planning, implementing and completing a research investigation, with advanced scholarship and originality.

C. Practical Skills

Successful students will demonstrate:
The capacity to apply research skills, in complex and specialised contexts, and with appropriate reflexivity.
The ability to work autonomously, with professionalism and initiative, and to manage uncertainty and complexity.
Technical expertise, and the ability to use it effectively, with precision and flexibility.

D. Transferable Skills

NB. The nature of the intake of the degree programme, senior and mid career professionals, makes it highly likely that these skills will have been mastered by candidates prior to entry and demonstrated in their professional contexts.)

Successful students will demonstrate:
The ability to use a full range of learning resources.
Effective, competent and independent management of information and research tasks.
The ability to act as an autonomous, independent and self-critical learner, managing their own work, taking responsibility for their own learning and offering guidance and support for the learning of others
The ability to act independently in solving problems arising in research, and to make use of professional guidance.
The willingness and ability to self-evaluate, to reflect critically on their own and others' functioning in order to improve practice
The ability to communicate complex material clearly and effectively to specialists and non-specialists.