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Doctor of Public Policy at University of Nottingham - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Professional doctorates are doctoral-level qualifications, equivalent to traditional PhDs. They are rigorous programmes of advanced applied study and research, specifically designed to meet the needs of practising professionals. They provide a framework for the integration of professional expertise and scholarly inquiry to explore specific areas of interest. This course provides comprehensive analysis on public sector reforms, including evidence-based policy and practice. It supports creating greater capacity within the public and voluntary sectors to conduct, commission and evaluate research as a contribution to the achievement of public goals. You will be assigned two supervisors who will support and guide you throughout the course. The flexible nature of the course allows you to study while also meeting your career commitments and the needs of your employer. For example, if your employer requires regular feedback, we will build this into the course for you. You can also tailor the course to suit your needs and research interests by choosing modules that align with your thesis. The School of Sociology and Social Policy undertakes cutting-edge local, national, international and cross-national research through its research staff that work across the disciplines of sociology, social and public policy, criminology, cultural studies and social work. By combining and synthesising these disciplines around common interests and issues, we produce theoretically innovative and empirically robust knowledge that is valued by the academic community, policymakers, professionals and service providers.

Modules

In your first year, you will study 120 credits of taught modules; this will be over years one and two for part-time students. Exemption from these modules is subject to approval, providing that you hold the required skills and knowledge covered in the modules at an equivalent level, because of prior training or experience.

Assessment method

The remaining period of study (years two and three for full-time students, years three to six for part-time students) will be spent writing a 60-80,000-word thesis. This should offer an original application of knowledge in the area of public policy and should demonstrate an ability to integrate rigorous academic analysis with practical relevance and application. To facilitate the link with professional practice and your workplace, the thesis may cover up to three discrete but inter-related projects. Where the thesis covers more than one topic, the minimum number of words for each topic is 20,000. You will also need to present a viva voce examination on your thesis.


Entry requirements

2:1 (or international equivalent) in any discipline and two years of work experience in a related field; IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element).


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For fee information, see www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees
Doctor of Public Policy at University of Nottingham - UCAS