Doctorate in Professional Practice (Part-time) (DProf)
The Doctorate in Professional Practice (DProf) is a research degree designed for experienced professionals who want to develop their expertise, improve their practice and lead change within their field. It is ideal for those who wish to carry out meaningful research without stepping away from their careers. The programme blends academic rigour with real-world relevance, focusing on work-based research that makes a genuine impact in professional settings.
This part-time degree allows you to investigate issues that are directly connected to your day-to-day work. Whether you’re working in education, health, business, the public sector or the creative industries, the DProf supports you to question, explore and improve the practices and systems that matter most in your profession. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on your professional development, apply research methods in practical contexts, and create original insights that can inform future practice.
What sets this programme apart is its flexible, supportive structure. Part 1 focuses on reviewing your professional learning and building your research skills through taught modules delivered in a collaborative, small group setting. This creates a shared learning environment where ideas and experiences are exchanged across a range of professions. Part 2 centres on a major work-based research project, culminating in a 60,000-word thesis. This allows you to investigate a significant issue in your field and produce a piece of research that has real-world application.
Our DProf is equivalent in academic standing to a PhD, but with a clear focus on practical, applied research rather than theoretical exploration. It is not typically a route into academic careers but is instead designed for professionals who want to make a difference in their industries and communities.
This programme offers the opportunity to step back, reflect and lead professional innovation through thoughtful, sustained research.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
You will deepen your understanding of professional practice through critical reflection, research and applied inquiry. In Part 1, you will explore your own learning and build essential research skills. In Part 2, you will carry out a substantial work-based research project, producing a doctoral thesis that contributes original, practice-focused knowledge to your field.
Part 1 (180 credits; duration approximately 2 years, part-time) involves the study of six level 7 modules. This reviews your existing professional learning, provides research skills and prepares you for Part 2 research.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
(120 credits)
Part 2 of the programme (360 credits; duration approx. 3-4 years, part-time) focuses on a major work-based research project leading to the production of a 60,000-word thesis.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(360 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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The programme is open to practitioners who have at least five years’ experience of a significant professional role, and who possess an upper second class degree, and ideally a master’s degree or equivalent in addition.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Each module has its own assessment element involving a mix of presentation, portfolio, and written reports or essay. At the end of Part 2, it is expected that candidates will have produced a 60,000-word thesis based on their research project which should contribute both to individuals’ professional practice and the strategic development of their organisations. Once the thesis has been examined and approved, candidates will have achieved 540 credits and the DProf qualification, along with the title of ‘Dr’.
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Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Students are expected to attend a residential workshop once a year in West Wales for part one of the programme and will be expected to pay their own travel costs.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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All DProf candidates are in employment. The programme is often undertaken because it constitutes a major form of continuous professional development, and enhances career progression.