Doctor of Professional Practice in Health and Social Care
University of NorthamptonWaterside Campus, Northampton
Course overview
Advance your professional impact with a practice-focused doctorate designed for working professionals in health and social care. Study flexibly, research real-world challenges, and develop the leadership and research expertise to drive meaningful change. The Doctor of Professional Practice (DProfPrac) is designed for experienced professionals in health and social care who want to advance their careers, lead meaningful change and make a lasting impact.
This practice-focussed doctorate allows you to research real-world challenges that you face in your professional role, enabling you to generate knowledge that benefits service users, your organisation and profession. You will develop advanced research, critical thinking and leadership skills that support progression in senior, strategic or consultancy roles. The programme is offered on a part time basis, making it possible to balance doctoral study with professional and personal responsibilities.
You will be supported by academics with extensive research experience and join a community of practitioner-researchers who are committed to improving practice, policy and outcomes across health and social care. We also work with our amazing alumni and visiting scholars to ensure you receive high-quality practice-led insights that support your professional growth.
Key highlights
- Practice-focused doctorate researching real-world challenges from your own professional role
- Generate knowledge benefiting service users, your organisation and profession
- Develop advanced research, critical thinking and leadership skills
- Supervised by academics with extensive research experience
- Join a community of practitioner-researchers improving practice and policy
- Practice-led insights from alumni and visiting scholars
Entry requirements
- IELTS: 7 — 7.0 Minimum standard – IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.
Scholarships
Alumni PGCE Bursary Award
This will be a £500 cash payment that will not have to be repaid and does not affect the payment of a student’s maintenance loans.
Up to £500Chevening Scholarships
Sir John Lowther Scholarship
The Sir John Lowther Scholarship provides financial awards of up to £2,000 to a postgraduate student within the Arts.
Up to £1,000
Careers this course leads to
- Health and social care service director
- Strategic lead in health and social care
- Health and social care consultant
- Consultant practitioner
- Practitioner-researcher
- Senior lecturer in health and social care
Cost of study
UK/Home: £2,750 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Northampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to your place.