The Professional Doctorate enables you to take a research-based approach to current issues within your profession. It aims to generate new knowledge and understanding that will contribute to enhancing policies and practices and tackling real problems in an industry, sector or organisational context.
Stage 1
The first stage is devoted to studying 120 credits worth of taught modules, which will provide an underpinning in research methods and researcher development plus profession-specific knowledge and skills. These include two mandatory research methods modules. In addition, you will study taught Masters-level modules selected from the University’s portfolio of SCQF level 11 modules to attain a further 60 SCQF credits. You will then complete the Research Degree Transfer Process.
Stage 2
Following successful completion of the Transfer Process, you will then continue for the remainder of the period of study, working with your supervisory team on the doctoral thesis. This is a 60,000-word thesis, at the same quality as that set for the traditional PhD thesis. The focus of this degree is on applied research, and thus the outcome must include practical recommendations.
Exit Awards
- PG Cert Researcher Development
- PG Diploma Professional Research Studies
- MRes Professional Research Studies
- Professional Doctorate
Learning Methods
Throughout the taught stage of the course, and depending on the choice of modules, the main mode of delivery will be lectures and interactive seminars, with appropriate support materials and discussion forums on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle.
The optional modules may be selected from Masters degree courses across the University that candidates have not already studied, which are relevant to their proposed research, and for which they meet the prerequisites or corequisites. For online students, the optional modules will naturally be limited to online modules.
In stage 2, students will meet with their supervisory teams on a regular basis to receive feedback and discuss ongoing progress.
Activity Summary
Activities and workload depend on the modules selected, figures should be used as an indicative guide only. Detailed information is available within each module's descriptor.
- Lectures, Seminars & Webinars - 5-10 students per group, 50 hours per module
- Project (Thesis) Supervision - one-to-one, 276 hours for the whole course
- Independent Study - up to 26 hours per week
How long is the Professional Doctorate course?
*The minimum period of study for the Professional Doctorate is 42 months; the recommended period is 60 months, and the maximum period of study is 72 months.
The minimum period of study for the Masters in Professional Research Studies is 21 months; the recommended period is 24 months, and the maximum period of study is 30 months.
Independent Study
You will be expected to take ownership of your study and development as a researcher. This will require that you study independently throughout the course. We expect that you will spend approximately 50 hours per module for the taught aspect and approximately 26 hours per week for the research component.
Staff Delivering on This Course
The academics who are members of your supervisory team will be responsible for guiding you through your doctoral journey. They will be the first point of contact for all academic issues and will be responsible for agreeing an individual schedule of work with you; providing guidance on the selection of the taught elements of the programme; preparing you for the transfer viva; and meeting with you throughout the process to support your progress.
Academic staff at RGU participate in innovative research in their areas of specialism. They also have experiences which straddle professional practice and academia.
Assessment
Assessments depend on the modules selected, figures should be used as an indicative guide only. Detailed information is available within each module's descriptor. Typically students are assessed each stage:
Stage 1
- 2 written assignments, including essay
- 2 reports
- 1 oral assessment
Stage 2
- 1 oral assessment
- 1 thesis of 60,000 words
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Job Prospects
The Professional Doctorate is concerned with researching real issues within a student’s profession via the critical review and systematic application of appropriate theories and research. The Professional Doctorate course also aims to support considerable personal development so that the student can achieve a greater level of effectiveness as a professional or manager.
The aim of the course is to generate new knowledge and understanding that will contribute to enhancing the policies and practice of the student's profession/sector. It offers a much more flexible and structured programme of study than the traditional PhD route. The goal is to generate solution-oriented outcomes that are immediately relevant to the student's professional communities and work environment, and which will also offer a valuable research route for some organisations and employers.
Opportunities for post-doctoral research and further continuing professional development can be discussed with supervisory teams.
Entry Requirements
What is required for a Professional Doctorate?
Academic Qualifications
- Normal entry requirements are a Masters degree or first or upper second class honours degree in the relevant subject discipline from a UK or overseas University, or degree equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of Robert Gordon University.
- In addition to satisfying one of the academic requirements, you must also satisfy all of the Experience, Language and Writing Skills requirements.
Experience and Writing Skills
- A minimum of three years relevant professional experience within the applicant's sector;
- Applicants must evidence that they are currently in a position to (or aspiring) to influence change at organisational, industry or national level; and;
- Good writing skills as exhibited by a research proposal (2,000 words maximum) setting out clearly the research problem (what), justification for the research (why) and the proposed research methodology (how). Guidance on writing this outline can be obtained from the Graduate School.
If unsure whether you meet any of the requirements, please contact the Graduate School for clarification.
Application review
The course leader shall have discretion to review all applications not meeting entry requirements, and to make the final decision on suitability of each candidate for admission in line with the University’s general admission requirements.
English Language Requirements
All international students for whom English is not their first language, must provide evidence of linguistic ability at a minimum of IELTS 6.5 (in each component) or accepted equivalent.
In order to undertake a research degree, it is essential that you can read and interpret academic journal articles, communicate effectively and write at a doctoral level.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2024-2025
Academic course fees depend on your choice of taught modules.
Example Fees
Social Science focused study
- UK & EU Students - £3,286 per year over 5 years
- International Students - £7,615 per year over 5 years
Science focused study
- UK & EU Students - £3,445 per year over 5 years
- International Students - £8,164 per year over 5 years
Additional Costs
- Cost associated with travelling for related research
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Alumni Discount
Robert Gordon University is delighted to offer a 20% loyalty discount on course fees for all alumni who have graduated from RGU.
Student Funding
Postgraduate students will normally make their own arrangements for payment of fees. However, there are a limited number of SAAS funded places on certain postgraduate courses.
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Employer funding
If you are studying a subject that will be directly beneficial to your current employer, it may be worth discussing with them the possibility of full or part sponsorship.
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our team and we'll do our best to help.