Doctoral Foundation (Level 7, 30 credits)
Part-time
One semester
September 2025
In a nutshell
This module is a taster of doctoral work and full peer and academic support is offered in a safe environment. Help is also offered with research proposal writing.
You can take this course as a single module for continuing professional development or as part of the Professional Doctorate (Health and Social Care).
You will:
- explore critical thinking and appraisal
- gain academic experience at doctoral level
- explore and reflect on research methodologies
All about the course
This module will explore:
- Introduction of module: the politics of education, the importance of co-operation
- Theory and styles of learning
- Reflective practice
- Identifying strengths and learning needs
- Expectations at doctoral level; critical thinking; critical listening; critical appraisal; originality and creativity for example
- Introduction to the politics of research
- Introduction to research methodologies
- Participation and empowerment in research, reaching out to excluded groups
- Applying theory to practice
- Social divisions and ethics
- Reading and reviewing journal articles
- Presentation skills
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
What about after uni?
This module can be taken as stand-alone for the purposes of continuing professional development or as part of our Professional Doctorate. On completion of this module you will have the necessary critical thinking, listening and appraisal skills to go onto further study at doctoral level.
Career Links
We work with over 100 health and social care organisations so our links with industry are very strong. These relationships will be of direct benefit to you because our academic team work in practice in some of these organisations at a senior level so are able to keep you at the forefront of developments in the sector, which in turn help you provide a better service.
What you need to know
This module is suitable for a wide range of professionals including those in senior health or social care management, strategy, practice, specialist, consultant and educator roles.
Previous study and experience
An honours degree and/or Masters degree and relevant professional experience.
Accreditation of prior learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.