Doctorate of Clinical Practice

The DClinPrac is open to experienced practitioners involved in clinical practice or health and social care who aim to work or are working in leadership and advanced roles. It is relevant for practitioners in the UK and Europe in the speciality of health, allied health and social care. The distance learning and peer support, together with the modular structure, provide an innovative doctoral programme.

The programme consists of six core interdisciplinary modules which are provided in an integrated framework over the first two years of the programme. The third and fourth years focus on a major original research project. Assessment combines a portfolio of evidence including an academic paper and a viva voce examination on the submitted thesis.

The core modules are:

Introduction to Doctoral Studies

The aim of this induction module is to introduce you to the University and to assist with the development of your core competencies for research. These competencies form the basis upon which you will advance your skills to compile a research proposal and begin a logbook of research experience. Using these acquired skills will enable you to create and interpret new knowledge thus making a significant and original contribution to practice and research.

Communities of Practice

This module examines professional knowledge and expertise and how practitioners develop understanding of professional craft knowledge. A range of philosophical and theoretical backgrounds of research and healthcare practice are explored. The module is delivered through the University’s virtual learning platform, in addition to face-to-face contact.

Policy, Politics and Power

The focus of this module is the political, global and strategic understanding of the development and delivery of health and social care within a European context. Professional and political drivers for modernising health and social care are analysed. The module is delivered through the University’s virtual learning platform, in addition to face-to-face contact.

Advanced Research Methods

Significantly, this module provides research training that underpins and supports expert practitioners and managers to develop advanced research skills. Critical understanding of a range of theoretical, methodological and conceptual issues involved in health, allied health and social care research are examined. The aim of this module is to enhance capability to design, undertake and implement high-quality research in multidisciplinary professional fields.

Leadership in Healthcare Organisations

The purpose of this module is to critically review your assumptions about leadership and management. Reflecting on your organisation’s leadership practices through exploration and analysis of key leadership and management practices will develop awareness and competency. There is an emphasis on challenging and debating contemporary theory and practice.

Service Evaluation: Change, Risk and Development

The objective of this module is to advance skills for evaluating different aspects of service delivery. It will increase understanding of the methods used for evaluations, the importance of employing health economic concepts within evaluation and how to minimise the risks associated with strategic service development.

Applicants will normally have completed at least three years’ post-qualification experience in health, allied health or social care. They should be practitioners or managers involved in clinical practice or practice development, with evidence of research expertise at Masters level (or evidenced equivalent experience). 

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 7.0

Fees

Funding

As well as an annual competition with a studentship prize, we also have a number of academic scholarships. These and other scholarships are advertised as and when they become available on the Faculty Graduate School website.All postgraduate researchers are eligible for the University’s Postgraduate Student of the Year award.