Overview
We are not currently recruiting to this academic cycle. Recruitment will be available to students again in the next cycle 23/24.
Make a significant contribution
Our programme has been developed for practitioners who are pursuing professional careers as consultant nurses or therapists, clinical specialists, advanced practitioners, practice development professionals, social workers, senior managers and leaders of healthcare.
We offer you the opportunity to develop advanced research skills and to apply them to professional practice issues through independent research. You'll have opportunity to make a significant contribution to professional practice and to improve service delivery and performance within your employing organisation and across the wider professions.
The doctorate comprises of a taught component in your first and second year, and a doctoral research component in your third to fifth year. The research study will culminate in a doctoral thesis specific to a profession or in the general area of health and social care. It leads to one of the following awards:
- Doctorate in Health and Social Care
- Doctorate in Nursing
- Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
- Doctorate in Optometry
- Doctorate in Physiotherapy
- Doctorate in Radiography
- Doctorate in Midwifery
- Doctorate in Social Work
A professional doctorate is similar to a PhD in the sense that it allows you to carry out original research and contribute new knowledge. All doctoral graduates are considered experts in their field and can use the title ‘doctor’. The main difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate is that the research is rooted in the researcher’s professional practice.
For further information about the course and an informal discussion, please contact Dr. Adéle Stewart-Lord adele.stewart-lord@lsbu.ac.uk
Why a Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at LSBU?
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- A member of staff, expert in your chosen field, is directly responsible for guiding and supporting your research programme.
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- As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community. You will be making a unique contribution to theory and practice in your field.
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- The London Doctoral Academy at LSBU offers a package of skills development opportunities that Professional Doctorate students can use.
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- LSBU has well-established research links with partners across the health and social care sector.
| ModePart-time | Duration5 years | Start dateOctober | Application code4343 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides.
Walk or bicycle
The University is in easy walking distance of underground and leading overground stations. We are only 20 minutes away from the Thames. We encourage walking and cycling and have bicycle racks on campus. Please check the Transport for London cycling website for London cycling maps and route planners.
By bus
LSBU is very well connected, and a large number of buses travel to and connect in the Elephant and Castle area from across London.
By train or tube
The Bakerloo and Northern lines stop at Elephant & Castle underground station, which is right next to campus. The closest rail stations are Elephant & Castle, London Waterloo and London Bridge. To plan your train journey, visit the National Rail website.
By car
London South Bank University does not provide public parking space. There is a limited amount of parking in the area, so we strongly advise using public transport.
Do consider the Congestion Charge if you are driving through London to reach the campus. Find out if you'll be crossing the Congestion Charge zone to reach our Southwark Campus.
TfL journey planner
You can travel to Southwark Campus by using public transport, plan your journey using the Transport for London journey planner.
Entry Level Requirements
In order to be considered, applicants will be required to have the following qualifications:
- A recognised professional qualification which allows you to practise in one of the professions for which an award is specified: nursing, midwifery, social work, occupational therapy, optometry, physiotherapy, or radiography; or
- A health and social care profession which is recognised for registration with one of the health and social care professions councils in the UK [e.g. the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); the General Medical Council (GMC); the General Optical Council (GOC)] and
- A Masters degree in a relevant discipline and at least three full years full-time experience (or equivalent) in a relevant professional area or
- A first or 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline and evidence of ability to produce work at masters level and at least four years of full-time experience (or equivalent) in a relevant professional area
- Applicants are required to have some previous knowledge of research methods, such as a research methods module, completed as part of previous degree.
- Applicants must have sufficient command of the English language to complete the taught component, and to prepare and defend a thesis in English. If your first language is not English, you should produce evidence of competency in the English language equivalent to level 8 of the International Language Testing System (IELTS) with no element below 7.5.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you may need to apply to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for clearance from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) in order to study this course. ATAS certificate is a requirement for enrolment at the University, you will need one if you are an international student applying to study for a postgraduate qualification in the UK and it is now a requirement for every Visa application. Please note, an ATAS certificate is not needed for you to submit an application for a course at LSBU and to receive an offer.
You can find more information about whether you will require this via the FCO website and in our MyLSBU guide to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.
The process for obtaining an ATAS certificate can take some time so it is important that you check whether you need one as early as possible so that you can make your application for the certificate to obtain it in good time. Failure to produce a valid ATAS certificate could result in delays to receiving your CAS or we may be unable to enrol you at the University.
The CAH code for this course is CAH02-03-12.
Choose your country
Select country here:
United Kingdom
£5827.78
Tuition fees for home students
International
£10140.00
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees
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Part-time
part-time
Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £5827.78 International fee: £9388.89 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 1PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £4662.22 International fee: £7511.11 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 2PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 3
UK fee: £2892.00 International fee: £10140.00 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 3PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 4
UK fee: £2892.00 International fee: £10140.00 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 4PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 5
UK fee: £2892.00 International fee: £10140.00 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 5PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £2892.00 International fee: £10140.00 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: 6PS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00 Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (PT) - Year 6
UK fee: £1190.00 International fee: £1190.00 AOS/LSBU code: 4343 Session code: WUS00 Total course fee: UK: £26140.00 International: £68790.00
The fees for this course can be paid through CPD funding from your employer/Trust or can be self-funded.
Each 20 credit modules is priced at £630. Hence the costs for each year are usually:
- Year 1: £3150
- Year 2: £2520
- Year 3 and each subsequent year is: £2090
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
Home/EU applicants
| Mode Part-time | Duration 5 years | Start date October | Application code 4343 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Apply through the online CPPD prospectus.
Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.
Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).
Considering your application
Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.
There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Year 1
- Research principles
- Practical issues in data collection
- Qualitative data analysis
- Quantitative data analysis
Year 2
- Health and social care research contexts
- Research methodologies
- The doctoral research proposal and ethics
Year 3-5
- Completion of research thesis
Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
- Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
The Professional Doctorate programme has been developed for practitioners who are pursuing professional careers as consultant nurses or therapists, clinical specialists, advanced practitioners, practice development professionals, social workers, senior managers and leaders of healthcare.
Those exiting the course will have developed a range of advanced skills in evidence finding, critical appraisal, research design and conduct, and disseminating research.
The University has professional links with the following organisations:
Teaching and Assessment
In your first two years, taught modules take place at our Southwark campus in three day blocks of study, during October, November, February and March. The sessions are facilitated by senior academic staff from the School of Health and Social Care. You will receive tutorial and supervisory support whilst undertaking the programme. E-learning activities will complement the taught component and there are a variety of assessment methods.
In your third year, you will start your doctoral thesis, with a Director of Studies to supervise you. The School of Health and Social Care runs a monthly doctoral support programme where you can meet students at different points in their doctoral studies and benefit from peer support. There are also development sessions organised by the Central Research Office for LSBU’s research students, as well as a lively annual Summer School.
