Children’s, Young People’s and Community’s Services (Part-time) (ProfDoc)
This Professional Doctorate (Prof Doc) is designed for those working in the Children and Young People’s Workforce who want to develop advanced research skills while continuing their careers. It is ideal for professionals in Youth Services, Social Care, Early Years Education, Families Services, Community Development, and related fields.
The course supports work-based learning, allowing students to apply academic research to real-world challenges. You will develop expertise in research in social care, critically evaluate policies, and explore ways to improve child welfare and protection. The programme also focuses on youth services and justice, including areas such as youth work, play work, childcare, and support for vulnerable young people.
This flexible learning programme is tailored for busy professionals, combining online and face-to-face learning to fit around work commitments. Students can choose to study in either Welsh or English, making it a fully bilingual study (Welsh/English) option.
The doctorate shares core modules with the Children’s, Young People’s and Community’s Services (MA), providing a broad and interdisciplinary approach. The course is designed for professionals across various sectors, including third sector organisations, civil servants, blue light services (police), health services, and youth justice.
Throughout the programme, you will engage in occupational research, using evidence-based methods to analyse and improve practice in your field. You will also learn to critique theory, challenging current ideas and shaping new approaches to community services and social care.
By completing this programme, you will gain a highly respected qualification that enhances career progression in leadership, policy development, and academic research. Whether you work in education, health, justice, or community settings, this doctorate provides the skills and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people.
Course details
- Blended (On-campus)
- Part-time
- English
- Welsh
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
This programme is designed to support professionals working with children and young people, combining work-based learning with advanced academic study. We emphasise critical thinking, occupational research, and real-world impact. The flexible learning structure allows students to apply their studies directly to their careers, developing leadership and research skills that drive positive change in social care, youth services, and community services.
In the first three years, you will develop skills in social research, policy analysis, and leadership. You will learn to critique theory, design research projects, and apply your findings to improve services for children and young people in areas such as youth services and child welfare.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits )
(30 credits )
(30 credits )
(30 credits )
The final three years focus on your 360-credit practice-based research thesis. You will conduct original research to address challenges in youth justice, social care, or community development, making a significant contribution to both practice and policy in your field.
Compulsory
(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 normal minimum entry requirement for applicants for the degree of Professional Doctorate is:
A 2:1 class honours degree
or
A Master’s degree, relevant to the proposed programme (awarded by a UK or other recognised University or higher education institution or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA)).
and
At least two years of recent and relevant work experience are desirable. Every application will be assessed on its own merits.
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.   
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.
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The programme uses a range of assessment types. In some modules, you will be assessed through portfolios, blog submissions, and a conference-style presentation. In others, assessment consists of a research proposal, completed ethics form and research report.
For all types of assessment, staff will provide feedback to allow you to develop your ideas and respond to constructive advice before the final submission.
The range of assessment types will develop your skills in academic writing, giving presentations in front of an audience, reflective practice, critical thinking and research design.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
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 may choose to purchase textbooks to support their studies. This is not required as texts are generally available in the library or online. Textbook costs range from £20 to £100.
There may be opportunities to attend research conference(s), where this may be appropriate for the student and related to their research interest. Costs range from £50–£500 depending on location and length of attendance.
There will be an option of a residential for the professional doctorate costing between £250 and £500.
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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 Scholarships and Bursaries section.
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Discussions and feedback from organisations active in the area of children’s and young people’s services has been used in the design of the course, and will continue to inform future developments in the programme’s aims and content.
The Professional Doctorate fills a gap in the provision of postgraduate research qualifications focused on childhood, youth and community services. As a graduate of the programme, you would thus have a distinct, sophisticated skillset that would set you apart from your peers. The advanced critical abilities and expertise gained from your studies would enhance your career progression opportunities and employability across various criteria.
Under the Entrepreneurship Competence Framework, you would achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Spotting opportunities
- Creativity
- Ethical and sustainable thinking
- Motivation and perseverance
- Taking the initiative
- Planning and management
- Coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk
- Learning through experience.