Professional Doctorate Occupational Therapy at University of Essex

Programme overview

The Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy is a part-time specialist doctorate for people in, or aspiring to, senior professional appointments in practice, education or management in health or social care. Students prepare two extended essays chronicling their personal development and complete a 40,000-word research study that makes an original contribution to their area of practice.

Department: School of Health and Social Care | Duration: 5 to 6 years part-time (five years plus up to one year for completion) | Intake: October 2027; part-time | Study mode: part-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core taught modules include Literature Review and Critical Appraisal (15 credits) and Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation (15 credits), alongside Professional Portfolio modules (Professional Portfolio 1 is 30 credits and a 6,000-word portfolio) and the final research study.

Career pathways

Prepares senior practitioners, educators and managers for expert roles; the programme integrates professional expertise with academic rigour to contribute to health and social care provision.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Open to UK applicants only. Applicants must be registered with a UK regulatory body (where appropriate), be currently employed in management, practice or education or in a senior position in a health or social care organisation, and hold a Masters qualification or equivalent. Application requires two academic references, transcripts/certificates, a language certificate (if relevant), a 500-word personal statement and a 300-word description of clinical practice (clinical programmes) or managerial responsibilities (management programmes).

International applicants: GBP 12,413 a year. International fee; fees increase for each academic year of study Source

Intake: October 2027; part-time

Duration: 5 to 6 years part-time (five years plus up to one year for completion)

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