Doctor of Professional Studies in Health and Social Care DProf

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If you’re a registered professional working within health and social services, and thinking of studying for a doctorate, then join us at one of our online Doctorate Information Events.

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Course Summary

This course is designed to support graduate professionals working across diverse health and social care sectors to conduct doctoral research in this complex and evolving arena.

Research into health and social care is of major importance in the current social and economic climate. This increases the demand for practitioners who are able to effectively lead, innovate and evaluate service provision with a limited resource allocation. This course is designed to enable the personal and professional development of individuals working within these areas.

Health and social care research continues to be at the vanguard of social, economic and political debates.

This course is designed and delivered by a team of academics who are research active and committed to the ongoing development of health and social care policy, practice and service delivery. You will therefore be joining a community where debate and critical thought are both welcomed and fostered.

You will be encouraged to reflect upon current practice, explore new ways of thinking, explore new or different theoretical perspectives, and offer new insights into the chosen field of study.

 

What You'll Study

Research methodologies, social theory, philosophy, cultural practices and policy form the major themes around which the modules and teaching is structured. The self-selected doctoral thesis will require you to apply the knowledge and skills that you have gained during the taught components of the course.

Modules

The module will enable students to develop awareness of the way research is shaped by worldview, and is approached by a critical exposure to the key elements of social science: empiricism, positivism, critical theory, constructivism, post-modernism, ethnography and hermeneutics. The module provides the broad conceptual framework within which students will develop research ideas. It is therefore primarily concerned with issues of truth, knowledge, methodology and validity. The intention is that by the end of the module students will be able to both defend and critique their own perspective with some confidence, as they begin to apply it to the research questions they are developing.

  

The aims of this module are: to enable students to justify their research approach and potential study designs, and demonstrate appropriate research skills that are congruent with their chosen methodology. Therefore, the module will:

  1. Equip students to justify and develop a study design that is congruent with their research question and chosen paradigm.
  2. Enable students to evaluate research from a variety of methodologies.

The module content further develops links between methodology theory and research study design in health and social care, looking at the practical implications of methodology for research methods, including:

  1. Implications of methodology theory for study design – application of different methodologies to research, including experimental and quasi-experimental approaches; grounded theory; phenomenology; ethnography; narrative inquiry; discourse analysis; case study. Assessments of validity or trustworthiness in research studies.
  2. Data tool development and data collection skills: questionnaire development and use; interview schedule development and interviewing skills.
  3. Data analysis skills: statistical analysis; qualitative analysis; development of databases to facilitate analysis. Role of reflexivity in data analysis and discussion.
  4. Large-scale, multi-site research including randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies and cohort studies.
  5. Desk-top research: meta-analysis; systematic literature reviews.

The aims of this module are:

  1. To enable students to analyse professional practice using different theoretical frameworks.
  2. To inform students in their work as key professionals and agents of change in the context of health and social care.

The module content will be made up of a number of strands of sociological enquiry, relating to both macro and micro approaches: the primary focus is on the relationship between the individual and society. 

  1. Sociological theory, to include examination of symbolic interactionist, feminist, Marxist, functionalist and post-modernist perspectives as means of understanding the shape and delivery of contemporary professional practice.
  2. Theorising health and social care policy, to involve deconstruction of contemporary policy initiatives to establish the emergence of a particular discourse, and the subsequent implications for the types of service delivered in practice.
  3. Examination of the changing role of health and social care professions in contemporary society e.g. deskilling; proletarianisation; deprofessionalisation.
  4. Contextualise the contemporary role of health and social care professions in relation to policy changes.

  

Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care

Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Hazel Chapman

Senior Lecturer
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Dr Andrew Mitchell

Associate Professor of Mental Health
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Dr Adam Keen

Senior Lecturer
Dr Adam Keen

How you'll Learn

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Teaching is through seminars

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Assessment is through coursework and a thesis

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This course is designed around in-person study

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There may be some online learning activities

The first stage of the course comprises five taught modules that are delivered flexibly (predominately classroom based), to fit in with the busy schedules of working professionals. You will study these modules as a member of a group in which collaborative support for learning will be encouraged, and we aim to furnish you with the critical skills to enable you to conduct research at doctoral level.

There are a range of assessments, including poster presentations, oral presentations, and written work culminating in the production of a thesis.

The five taught modules comprise a total of 2,400 notional hours’ learning time, of which 120 hours are direct contact. Each 40-credit module has 20 hours’ contact time, and each 60-credit module has 30 hours’ contact time. The independent thesis module has a notional learning time of 3,000 hours.

Beyond the Classroom

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society offers a wide range of doctoral events that students are expected to engage with, including doctoral seminars delivered by current students about their research, writing workshops, masterclasses by internal and external experienced researchers, journal club, Faculty and University research conferences.

Entry Requirements

2:1 honours degree

Applicants must have:

  • A relevant honours degree (usually minimum of 2:1)
  • A relevant Master’s degree
  • A minimum of two years’ experience in their chosen field

 

We are unable to consider International applicants for this programme.

 

Where you'll Study Wheeler, Chester

City centre location

Located within the lively city centre of Chester and overlooking the River Dee, Wheeler is home to most courses within Nursing and Midwifery, Health and Social Care, and Law.

Health and Social Care simulation suite

Our simulation suite emulates diverse healthcare spaces, ranging from a patient’s home and community clinic settings to acute care settings, including a Triage Assessment Area, Maternity Delivery Suite, Children’s Ward, and a General Ward.

Students working in the Nursing simulation suite

On-site library

Our on-site library has a variety of study spaces and IT facilities, in addition to book collections for Health and Medicine, Law and Policing. There is a comprehensive collection of online books, journals and databases available for students to access from home and campus.

Social spaces

Wheeler’s café and coffee shop serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, and delicious meals. Meanwhile, the student common room provides a social, group work, and discussion space for students.

Fees and Funding

£2,503per year (2025/26)

The tuition fees for home students studying the Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) in Health and Social Care in 2025/26 are £2,503 per year.

£7,542per year (2025/26)

The tuition fees for International students studying this part-time course in 2025/26 are £7,542 per year.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Generally, all the students who apply or who are currently undertaking this programme are employed within the health and social care arena.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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