The Programme aims to develop research-based practice in professionals working within the Information Security area. As a result of the rapid growth in both the availability of global information structures (e.g. internet) and the number of users, information security professionals are facing major challenges to provide services that are accessible and yet safe. Keeping business channels flexible and easy to use whilst guarding against the e-criminal is the on-going project.

The IT and Internet Law module provides a background to governance of the technology and the humans who use it whilst Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems provides a response platform for situations where potentially a crime has been committed.

The Professional Doctorate in Information Security believes research is fundamental to maintaining this balance between access and safety. Applied Research Tools and Techniques provides a basis to develop in the student a sophisticated toolset of research techniques. This is augmented in Research Methods for Technologists with highly specialised approaches.

There are three modules tailored to link the student’s workplace with their research-based learning: Work-based Planning, Work-based Practice and Project Portfolio.

The Research Conference module is designed to encourage more reflective, innovative ways of presenting research findings and responding to feedback.

The Research Thesis, lasting over 3 years, connects the research, student work experience and the challenges faced by modern technological infrastructures.

The Programme is currently unique in offering a professional doctoral qualification in the expanding but still relatively modern area of information security. Most of the Programme is based on negotiated learning, where students construct research-based learning around their interests and life experience. Three of the modules are purely workplace-focussed and will require tutors visiting the student and their employer.  

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All students admitted to the Programme must have at least recent 5 years in a senior position within the information security area and on entry be employed in the same discipline. All applications will be reviewed by at least two members of academic staff who will make a decision on whether to interview or not. Interviews, where the final decision will be made, will also be conducted by at least two academic staff.

The Professional Doctorate complies with regulations controlled by UEL Graduate School. In accordance with Points 2.1 thru 2.6 of Part 9 of the Research degrees regulations, the Programme has the following regulations:

The normal entry requirement for the degree of PhD via MPhil registration or Professional Doctorate is a first or upper second class Honours degree of a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution, or a qualification which is regarded by Research Degrees Subcommittee as equivalent to such (e.g. a verifiable overseas qualification).

Applications from candidates holding qualifications and/or experience other than those set out in 2.1 & 2.2 will be considered by Research Degrees Subcommittee on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

In considering applicants our University will look for evidence of a candidate's ability and background knowledge in relation to the proposed field of study.  Professional experience or publications, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment will be taken into consideration.  Research Degrees Subcommittee may require an applicant to pass an externally assessed qualifying examination at final year Honours degree level, arranged by our University, before admission is approved.

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 for Professional Doctorate students. 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 Kingdom Higher Education Institution may be accepted as sufficient proof of ability.

The Programme is offered in part-time mode only lasting six years. Each year consists of three trimesters; eight covering the taught modules and a capstone Research Thesis constitutes the other ten.

A variety of learning methods are used including: one module of Distance Learning; three modules of largely work-based supervision; a Block mode module; two research modules offering lab sessions as well as specialised guest lectures; a conference based module; and a supervised thesis. In addition a highly interactive website will support student learning.

Seven of the taught Programme modules are assessed coursework or presentation. Only one has an exam. The Research Thesis is examined by oral examination by either one internal and one external or two external examiners.

All assessed components are to be submitted to turnitin.com and controlled accordingly by the module leader who will report to the Programme Leader and the relevant Board where excessive copying or plagiarism occurs.

As stated above only one of the modules involves an examination. All other components across the Programme are in part through negotiated learning where students have input to the focus of their coursework. Of course students are actively encouraged to negotiate learning centred on their workplace issues. In addition during the three work-based modules it is compulsory to use work-based material.

All taught modules involve assessment equivalent to 5000 M or D level words. All D level modules are largely research based and to a certain but lesser extent so are the M level ones. The Research Thesis is equivalent to 50000 D level words and must be of a potentially publishable and professional standard.

Registration of the research component can only take place following a recommendation from the relevant School Research Degrees Sub-Committee to the university Research Degrees Subcommittee 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 of their programme before award of the degree can be made.
During the Programme’s research stage, a Panel reviews the student’s progress annually. This Panel is comprised of staff with appropriate academic and professional expertise; all must be independent of the candidate’s supervisory team.  The School Research Degrees Sub-Committee and the University Research Degrees Subcommittee 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.

This is an extremely flexible programme that facilitates the professional and academic learning of information security students at different stages of their careers. It offers a range of post-qualifying and academic awards –including the Professional Doctorate in Information Security. This is the only professional doctorates in the UK and unique, in that it provides a practice based programme, emphasising learning from experience, leading to various intermediate qualifications and, ultimately, the professional doctorate.

The target group are those, employed in the Information Security area, seeking to enhance the research dimension of their work via a qualification that is tailored to their professional needs. At least in part due to a result of their involvement in the Professional Doctorate, students regularly find enhanced employment status in the Information Security area. All students are employed in the area when they join the programme and remain so after, often having furthered their career position.

At the commencement of the programme students are given an explicit overview of the total programme teaching and learning activities, assignments, organisation, structure and progression. An annually updated Programme Handbook helps guide the student through the Programme.

The Programmer Leader along with both the Research Methods leader and the Work-Based Learning leaders deal with the students day-to-day academic issues. In addition supervisor and personal tutors provide academic and personal support throughout the Programme.

The University Counselling, Disability, Dyslexia and Student Support Services provide more specialist help.

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. During the Research Thesis supervisors meet their students, either physically or virtually, at least once a month. Documentary evidence of these meetings are kept as part of the student’s record.

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