Course overview

The Professional Doctorate in Laws offers a route to a doctoral degree, and thereby the title of 'Doctor', but it is different to the traditional PhD. You will be required to research in your respective area of professional practice.

A key characteristic of our DProf is that it recognises the workplace as both the field for, and the beneficiary of, high-quality research. You should seek to integrate and diffuse your doctoral studies within your practice. In recognition of this our DProf has a shorter minimum completion time of 3 years (part-time), compared with our PhD (which is typically 4 years part-time).

Such a close relationship to your chosen field of investigation requires an appropriate balance between objectivity and subjectivity.

Our DProf differs from a PhD in that it:

• may be interventionist in its relationship to the topic being investigated
• uses an applied, problem-focused, or action-based approach
• invites you to become involved in implementing change in your organisation
• recognises the importance of advisers at your place of work
• enhances your development through the use and dissemination of your research findings.

Assessment

This programme is completed over two stages:

Stage 1 (15-36 months) comprises training and the preparation of three papers (total 20,000 words).

Stage 2 (21-36 months) comprises an original research project, supported by workshops and culminating in an examined dissertation (maximum 60,000 words).

Facilities

This programme has a range of excellent facilities, including a state-of-the-art courtroom for staging debates and elements of the criminal justice process. You will also have access to our outstanding library resources, as well as access to the Cambridge University Library and other local archives.

Funding

Aside from self-funding or funding by your employer, charities and trusts (competitively sought after, as are Research Council Awards), or career, graduate, and professional study loans may be available. Useful links include the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) for information on educational trusts, or www.direct.gov.uk for bank loans at competitive rates, or visit your local high street bank.

Course convenor

Professor Rob Home

Useful links

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Career development and training

We are committed to offering training and career development opportunities for all research students. Candidates are encouraged to give papers at graduate conferences within Anglia Ruskin and at other universities.

Candidates seeking direct entry to our DProf will normally:

• hold a Masters degree in an appropriate area awarded by a UK university or an overseas degree of equivalent standard, provided the degree includes training in research and the execution of a research project or dissertation
• have appropriate professional experience.

Candidates without a Masters degree may be admitted onto an intermediate award. Subject to satisfactory performance candidates will be transferred onto our DProf. To be admitted onto an intermediate award candidates must:

• have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate area awarded by a UK university or an overseas degree of equivalent standard
• have appropriate research and professional experience.

For candidates whose first language is not English, a minimum IELTS score of 7 or equivalent is required with a minimum score of 6.5 achieved in each of the four language skills.