Doctor of Professional Practice in Health and Social Care at University of Northampton

Programme overview

This course offers senior managers and advanced practitioners the opportunity to develop their academic and research skills. Advance your professional impact with a practice-focused doctorate designed for working professionals in health and social care.

What you will study

We are passionate about delivering this programme, which we have designed for experienced clinicians and practitioners in health and social care. During your first two years with us, you will study seven modules which offer a sound grounding in research theory, methods and application. Modules include Project Design and Ethics, Evaluation and Audit in Practice, Developing Research Leadership, Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis (Health, Education & Society), Advanced Qualitative Methods (Health, Education & Society), The Research Proposal (Health, Education and Society), Principles of Research (Health, Education and Society), Thesis Module (Health, Education & Society).

Career pathways

The Doctor of Professional Practice is designed for professionals who wish to extend their influence within their current field and progress into roles with greater responsibility and strategic impact. The programme supports the development of advanced expertise that can be applied directly to professional practice, organisational leadership and service improvement.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally meet the following criteria: Be able to demonstrate that you have achieved 180 credits at Level 7 (through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning). This will normally be in the form of a Masters degree in a cognate subject, completed within the 10 years prior to enrolment. Applicants holding a Masters degree completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment will need to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Programme Leader, updating of their knowledge and skills at the equivalent of Level 7 during the past 10 years. A minimum of 3 years relevant work-experience at an appropriate level (e.g., demonstration of leadership, autonomy or advanced practice). Due to the work-based nature of the award students should currently be employed in a suitable workplace environment to support learning and assessment on the programme. English language: Minimum standard – IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.

Domestic applicants: GBP 2,750 a year (2026/27). Part-time per year with registration ordinarily five years Source

Intake: April

Duration: 5 years part time

Apply through the official page: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/research-degrees/

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