Professional doctorates are not new qualifications. They have been awarded since medieval times in professions such as law, medicine and theology, but until recently had been overshadowed by the pure research based PhD. With the increased interest in developing doctoral programmes linked to professional development, interest in professional doctorates has returned. The School of Health, Sports and Bioscience currently runs several well recognised and established, IBMS (Institute of Biomedical Science) accredited degree programmes in biomedical science. These BSc (Hons) and MSc programmes attract large numbers of students each year. The professional doctorate is an alternate pathway to a doctorate qualification for those in professional practice whom aspire to develop their practice to the highest level and have this recognised in an academic context.

The programme is flexible and offers working professionals the opportunity use research carried out at their place of work to improve their professional practice. Core modules are intended to help students plan and execute their own research project. The activities within the programme would also be of benefit to the practitioner’s workplace.

The programme is open to those candidates who hold an appropriate graduate qualification in Biomedical Science or closely related subject from a UK or equivalent university, however it is expected that most applicants will also be in possession of a post-graduate qualification (e.g. MSc in Biomedical Science). Completion of such a programme allows a candidate to apply for prior advance standing. In addition, the students MUST be currently employed in biomedical sciences and would be expected to have an appointment at band 7 or above. A letter of support is required from prospective student’s employer stating their support for the student and willingness to allow the investigative studies to take place in the work place.

Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning (at postgraduate level) that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures (submission of an evidence based portfolio to the School panel and subsequent recommendation to the appropriate School Assessment Board) however, this will not qualify for the award of a UEL Masters degree. This advanced standing is restricted to a maximum of 120 M level credits. No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it. The regulations allow prior credit for up to half of that in the programme.

At least two members of academic staff will review each submitted application before a decision is made. An interview will normally be required for admission onto the programme.

Where English is not the applicant’s first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English, or such qualifications as our University deems comparable, score of 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components, is required at entry. Such assessment of English language competence must normally have been undertaken no more than two years prior to application, though relevant and more recent study in a United Kingdome Higher Education Institute may be accepted as sufficient proof of ability.

Student learning is encouraged through participation in a wide variety of activities which can be carried out either at UEL or at your workplace. However students will also be encouraged to attend specialist lectures, seminars, workshops and external visits and to make full use of web-based learning. The university offers many facilities that could support the student and expertise in a range of biomedical disciplines. We would provide in-house training in cases where such needs were identified. Additionally, we actively promote post-graduate student involvement in our research seminar programme.

The skills and planning modules will be assessed through coursework designed to enhance scientific communication skills culminating in (the first year with) the production of a research proposal and reflective portfolio of professional practice. The research dissertation is assessed through thesis and oral examination.

The professional doctorate is aimed at practising professionals who wish to acquire the highest level of professional and academic achievement. Students have to be employed in Biomedical Science to take part in the programme as it is expected that the project will be carried out at the workplace.

The professional doctorate is a recognized step on the career path towards advanced practitioner grades in the NHS (see figure below, adapted from the IBMS website). The figure indicates where diplomas in expert and extended practice sit in the framework of the Institute of Biomedical Science’s professional qualifications and also shows how these qualifications link to University academic qualifications. The career path from basic grade Biomedical Scientist (with a certificate of competence), to Advanced Specialist is paralleled by increasingly higher academic qualifications. A professional doctorate will assist the individual to gain access to these higher grades.

Beyond the individual applicant, we include a module focussed upon critical analysis and reflective practice from which the student will be encouraged to review and where appropriate implement change, helping to bridge the gap from academic research to professional practice. 

The research project will be work based appropriate to the student’s biomedical science speciality. The length of the interim reports and final dissertation are given below. 

• A project proposal (3000-6000 words) prepared during the Research preparation and planning module, prior to undertaking investigative studies. This is presented to the Academic Board Research Degrees Review Sub-Committee (ABRC)
•  A 40000 word thesis (max 60000) that will be assessed by an oral examination. External and internal examiners with appropriate high level expertise in the subject will perform the assessment  

Registration of your research component can only take place following approval by the RDSC of the suitability of the candidate to undertake research, of the programme of research, of the supervision arrangements and of the research environment. These approvals require appropriate academic judgement to be brought to bear on the viability of each research proposal.  

Candidates for a Professional Doctorate must successfully complete all assessed elements from the taught part of the programme prior to gaining their award. 

Once you have started the research stage of the programme, progression will be formally reviewed annually by a Panel comprised of staff with appropriate academic and professional expertise that are independent of the candidate’s supervisory team. The School’s Research Degrees Sub-Committee and the Research Degrees Review Sub-Committee monitor the reports from these Panels. 

The examination of the research component of the Professional Doctorate has two stages: firstly the submission and preliminary assessment of the research; and secondly its defence by oral examination.

Biomedical scientists are found working in the NHS, in government or private laboratories and in industry. The research and specialist training you receive in the DBMS programme will help you in progress in your elected career pathway and gain academic standing.

The Graduate School is responsible for providing a focus to support of our postgraduate research students and for our institution’s research and scholarly strategy. 

The Graduate School is responsible for providing a focus to the support of our postgraduate research students and for our institution’s research and scholarly strategy. 

Professional Doctorate students will have at least two and not normally more than three supervisors, who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and professional experience.  One supervisor shall be the Director of Studies with responsibility to supervise the candidate on a regular and frequent basis. Furthermore, one member of the supervisory team will be a practicing specialist based at the workplace.

Students will be encouraged to present their research work at meetings such as the biannual IBMS meeting, annual meeting of Professional Doctorates, or any other national or international meeting considered appropriate. This will enhance the standing of the student and of their workplace.