The Professional Doctorate in Information Science (DInfSc) is a practitioner-focused doctoral degree. It has been designed for experienced professionals working in an information or knowledge management environment.

This programme an attractive option for those seeking to make an original contribution to professional practice. It prepares you to take the next step in your professional development and lead change and innovation in the LIS sector.

You will undertake a tailored study programme comprising a doctoral level dissertation of around 60000 words that makes an original contribution to professional practice. You will also study 60 credits of taught modules which you will select (with advice from your supervisor) to consolidate or extend your specialist subject knowledge. Taught subject modules can be studied online via campus moodle.

We are particularly interested in receiving proposals for doctoral study in the following areas:

• Cultural heritage (including digital cultural heritage and local studies)
• Digital Curation (including research data management; creative and cultural resources and business data)
• Information seeking behaviour
• Information and digital literacy
• Information and publishing law
• Information for Political Engagement (including social media and political participation)
• Information ethics
• Organisational Learning (including Communities of Practice and Workplace Democracy)
• Preservation of intellectual heritage
• Value and Impact of Public Libraries
• The development of new information professionals (including CPD and online learning spaces)

Normal entry requirements are an MSc (at merit or distinction level) and a first or upper second class honours degree of a University of the United Kingdom, or from an overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University. The DInfSc also requires candidates to have a minimum of three years experience in a professional level Information Science-related role. Applicants holding qualifications other than those above shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the proposed research programme.

Applicants will normally register for an MRes/DInfSc with transfer to DINnfSc dependent on satisfactory progress. However, applicants who already possess a Masters degree which includes a significant research component could be registered directly for a DInfSc, subject to a satisfactory research proposal, and clear evidence of research expertise.

Any applicant whose first language or language of previous University-level instruction is not English must normally demonstrate competence in English. This should be a score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Disclaimer

Course fees are reviewed periodically and so are subject to change for new applicants. All tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in your offer letter. You will also be liable to pay a graduation fee of £40 before receiving a University award.

All applications should be made via the University's application form for research students. Informal enquiries can be made Dr Elizabeth Tait

Completed application forms should be accompanied by:

• Two academic references
• A transcript or mark sheet for all graduate qualifications
• A research proposal (View the research proposal guidelines)
• For applicants whose first language or language of university education is not English -Certificate of English language competency score of IELTS 6.5 in each of the four test components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Students who can demonstrate successful completion of tertiary (university or college) studies in a country whose national language is English, may be exempted from this requirement

• Applying to become a research student