How to Apply: Research Study

We advise prospective students to contact the relevant School or Faculty in their subject area for an informal discussion about their research proposal before submitting a formal application. This would determine whether there is a staff member who would be available and have the capacity to supervise your research.

Complete the application form below or email: RegistryPGR@uwtsd.ac.uk.

Postgraduate Research Application Form

All application forms must be accompanied by the relevant documents, including references, passport and qualification certificates, to ensure that it can be processed in time for the requested registration date. There may be a delay in the application process if not all the documents have been included.

There are 3 intakes each year for research applicants and your application should be made to the Postgraduate Research Office prior to the relevant closing date. We advise all applicants to contact the School or Faculty prior to making an application to discuss their research proposal and ensure that there is relevant academic expertise for your subject area.

• Start Date: 01 October - Apply before 01 August
• Start Date: 01 February - Apply before 01 November
• Start Date: 01 June - Apply before 01 April

• The DBA Programme on our London campus is currently offered as a full-time programme. This is a popular Programme with limited places and so your application should be made as early as possible to the Postgraduate Research Office if you wish to apply for a particular start date.
• The DBA Programme on our Swansea Campus is offered as a part-time programme. Please note the Part-time option is not open to International students.

If you are an International student applying to live in the UK during your candidature, please email International.registry@uwtsd.ac.uk as soon as possible to discuss your application.

If English is not your first language, the university will require evidence that you have the required English to complete a research degree and your application will not be processed until this has been received.

Please visit our English Language Entry Requirements section to find out more. 

An application made to the University by an International applicant will need to meet both the academic requirements of the University and the UKVI Student visa requirements. Applicants will only be considered if they fulfil both the academic and immigration criteria.

Academic Criteria

1. An applicant must have a Master's degree or an upper second class honours degree in a qualification relevant to the doctoral programme
2. An applicant who is applying for the Professional Doctorates must have the appropriate work experience (for example, for the DBA this would be a minimum of 3 years of managerial experience relevant to the area of research).
3. If an applicant is applying for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), the current employment should be relevant to the area of research.
4. An applicant who is currently on a HE programme must have received the award before an offer can be made for a research programme.

Immigration Criteria (for applications made from within the UK)

1. An applicant's current visa must not expire within one month either prior to or after the start date of the programme.
2. An applicant who is reaching the end of their current PSW visa will not be considered for admission.
3. An applicant who has a complicated immigration history within the UK will not be considered.
4. An applicant who has recently enrolled, or been enrolled, with a college or university that has had its Student sponsor licence suspended or revoked will not be considered for admission.

The Doctorate in Professional Practice (DProf) integrates part-time doctoral level study with continuing professional practice. It is a part-time programme for those in employment and is an ideal way of studying at doctoral level whilst maintaining professional commitments. The programme is open to practitioners who have at least five years’ experience in a significant professional role, who possess an upper second class degree and ideally a master’s degree or equivalent in addition.

Programme Components

Part 1 (duration approx. 2 years, part-time):

This is the taught part of the programme, and is delivered via residential workshops (typically 3 four-day workshops per annum, held at the Lampeter campus), supported by blended learning.

Part 1 comprises two compulsory 30 credit Level 7 modules:

• 'Approaches to Research and Academic Communication'
• 'Review of Professional Learning'

Further optional modules allow for a more detailed study of qualitative and quantitative aspects of research methodology, along with further aspects of professional learning. However, candidates with extensive research methods training may apply for advanced standing, and this could shorten the overall period of study, and reduce costs.

Part 2 (duration approx. 4 years, part-time):

The is the key, research-focused part of the programme, and academic support is based on monthly supervisory contact, either in person, or by phone or online communication methods.

This comprises two compulsory Level 8 modules:

• 'Advanced Practitioner Research Proposal' (30 credits)
• 'Work-based research project' (330 credits; 60,000 words)

To date, each new DProf group has commenced the programme in February/ March, and residential workshops are generally held in early March, early June, mid-October. Please contact us for details of the next intake point.

Fees

Fees for the degree will depend on a number of Advanced Standing credits that can be accepted. The fees will be discussed with applicants individually.

How to Apply

1.   Discuss your application and project ideas with the Wales Institute of Work-Based Learning
2.   Go to the online application form and select your preferred course. 

If you are an International student applying to live in the UK during your candidature please contact the International Office as soon as possible to discuss your application.

If English or Welsh is not your first language, the university will require evidence that you have the required English or Welsh to complete a research degree and your application will not be processed until this has been received. You will need to provide either an IELTS certificate (or equivalent) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 (with 6.5 in both reading and writing) or to show evidence that you have completed a Master's degree taught in the medium of English or Welsh.

Contact us

For further information relating to the programme please contact the Programme Director at the Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research:

Dr Christine Davies
Email: Christine.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Telephone +44 (0)1267 225148

The details above are available as a PDF file to download:

Doctorate in Professional Practice

This doctorate focuses on issues associated with equality, equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. Such issues can, of course be explored within a wide variety of contexts including, for example, education, work/employment, social and family context and the wider community. We welcome expressions of interest and would be happy to discuss your ideas prior to submission of your application.