NEW RESEARCH: ‘Provision of professional doctorates in English HE institutions’

Some fascinating messages emerge from new research into professional doctorates by CRAC/Vitae and the University of Brighton, published by HEFCE including:

• Professional doctorate programmes are emerging in an ever-widening range of disciplines
• The rise in number of programmes may be out-stripping any increases in participation
• Viewed across all subjects, employers are funding participation less and more candidates are self-funded.          

Together, these trends could have significant implications for the delivery of professional doctoral programmes and the training within them, and how it might relate to other doctoral training. The report provides an overview of the current landscape of professional doctorates in England’s HEIs, trends in supply and demand and an understanding of institutional strategies for provision. It also confirms the positive impact for candidates in strong development of more reflective practice and evidence-based professionalism.