Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence at University of Buckingham - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

The University of Buckingham is:

  • We are proudly independent and not-for-profit, and offer courses in Allied Health, Business, Computing, Education, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Psychology and Security and Intelligence. We are one of the few universities in the UK that offer September and January start dates for almost all of our courses.
  • Based in Buckingham on a riverside campus, we are only 20 minutes’ from Milton Keynes central station and a short drive from Bicester, Aylesbury, Banbury and Northampton. There is free parking on-site and we are within easy reach of London and Oxford.
  • Our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies, including by dedicated personal tutors.
  • As pioneers of the two-year degree, we offer a condensed version of the traditional three-year degree, meaning you can gain a full honours degree and complete your studies a whole year earlier. Alternatively, you can complete both your undergraduate and master’s degree with us in just three years: saving you time and money.
The Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence is a unique part-time degree designed to enhance professional education and practice through rigorous research into complex management issues. It is envisaged that students holding the Professional Doctorate will ultimately lead communities of practice in their specialist profession.This programme is aimed at senior business professionals aiming to take their career to the next level. The Professional Doctorate award is distinct from a PhD award in the following respects:
  • The Professional Doctorate typically focuses on research ‘in’ rather than research ‘on’ organisations.
  • The thesis produced at the end of the programme will make an original contribution to practice within the relevant professional area or areas.
  • Considerable weight is given to the taught components of the programme.
  • Employers will benefit from supporting students on the programme developing and retaining key talent and building knowledge for competitive advantage.

Modules

Each of the taught modules will be summatively assessed by an individual written assignment. Some modules also include a summatively assessed individual presentation. Throughout the taught and research components of the programme supervisors will provide extensive formative feedback on draft work thereby ensuring that work submitted for summative assessment meets required standards.

Assessment method

The first two years of the programme comprise taught modules that prepare students for doctoral level research in Operational Excellence. The taught modules are delivered through a series of nine 2.5 day workshops facilitated by internationally renowned researchers and practitioners. The taught modules are followed by a doctoral research project of 2 plus years. Students will initially be registered for the degree of DProf. Their status will be probationary until all taught modules have been passed and the proposed research has been assessed as viable. Each student will be assigned a supervisory team which will provide expert support throughout the taught and research components of the programme.


Entry requirements

A master’s degree from a recognised institution comparable/ equivalent to a British level 7 degree. In addition, you must have a minimum of 5 years management experience at a senior level with practical knowledge of business or public organisations. A draft research proposal must be submitted and all prospective students will be interviewed, either in person or remotely. If your first language is not English, you will also need an IELTS score of 7.5. Applicants without a master’s degree may still be eligible based on their professional experience and qualifications.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £33064 Whole course
Northern Ireland £33064 Whole course
Scotland £33064 Whole course
Wales £33064 Whole course
Channel Islands £33064 Whole course
EU £57868 Whole course
International £57868 Whole course
Republic of Ireland £57868 Whole course

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence at University of Buckingham - UCAS