Key Information

Full-time

12 months

School

School of Health and Social Care

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

View

Course Code

HEAPPORP

PhD Practice Portfolio in Health and Social Care

This programme provides a route for experienced health and social care practitioners, educators, and policy makers to achieve a Doctoral level qualification based on the contribution that they have made to their field of practice.

Key Information

Full-time

12 months

School

School of Health and Social Care

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Validated

Fees

View

Course Code

HEAPPORP

Teaching and Learning During COVID-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic has meant that at Lincoln we are making changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience here at Lincoln.

From autumn 2020 our aim is to provide an on-campus learning experience. Our intention is that teaching will be delivered through a mixture of face-to-face and online sessions. There will be social activities in place for students - all in line with appropriate social distancing and fully adhering to any changes in government guidance as our students' safety is our primary concern.

We want to ensure that your Lincoln experience is as positive, exciting and enjoyable as possible as you embark on the next phase of your life. COVID-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the Lincoln experience. It has challenged us to find innovative new approaches to supporting students' learning and social interactions. These learning experiences, which blend digital and face-to-face, will be vital in helping to prepare our students for a 21st Century workplace.

Of course at Lincoln, personal tutoring is key to our delivery, providing every student with a dedicated tutor to support them throughout their time here at the University. Smaller class sizes mean our academic staff can engage with each student as an individual, and work with them to enhance their strengths. In this environment we hope that students have more opportunities for discussion and engagement and get to know each other better.

Course learning outcomes are vital to prepare you for your future and we aim to utilise this mix of face-to-face and online teaching to deliver these. Students benefit from and enjoy fieldtrips and placements and, whilst it is currently hard to predict the availability of these, we are working hard and with partners and will aspire to offer these wherever possible - obviously in compliance with whatever government guidance is in place at the time.

We are utilising a range of different digital tools for teaching including our dedicated online managed learning environment. All lectures for larger groups will be delivered online using interactive software and a range of different formats. We aim to make every contact count and seminars and small group sessions will maximise face-to-face interaction. Practicals, workshops, studio sessions and performance-based sessions are planned to be delivered face-to-face, in a socially distanced way with appropriate PPE.

The University of Lincoln is a top 20 TEF Gold University and we have won awards for our approach to teaching and learning, our partnerships and industry links, and the opportunities these provide for our students. Our aim is that our online and socially distanced delivery during this COVID-19 pandemic is engaging and that students can interact with their tutors and each other and contribute to our academic community.

As and when restrictions start to lift, we aim to deliver an increasing amount of face-to-face teaching and external engagements, depending on each course. Safety will continue to be our primary focus and we will respond to any changing circumstances as they arise to ensure our community is supported. More information about the specific approaches for each course will be shared when teaching starts.

Of course as you start a new academic year it will be challenging but we will be working with you every step of the way. For all our students new and established, we look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community this Autumn. If you have any questions please visit our FAQs or contact us on 01522 886644.

Dr Zahid Asghar - Academic Contact

Dr Zahid Asghar - Academic Contact

School Staff List Make an Enquiry

Welcome to PhD Practice Portfolio in Health and Social Care

The PhD by Practice Portfolio provides a route for experienced health and social care practitioners, educators, and policy makers to achieve a Doctoral level qualification based on the contribution that they have made to their field of practice.

This programme requires participants to bring together their existing work through the production of a portfolio and written commentary which demonstrates the original and significant contribution that they have made to their field of practice. This can, but does not have to, include a substantial research component.

How You Study

As this is a research degree there is no formal taught content on the programme. Students will work with a carefully selected supervision team who will provide support in writing the commentary to accompany the portfolio. Students will be expected to meet with their supervisors at least 12 times during the 12 month registration period (roughly once a month), while also studying independently throughout. Students will need to be self-motivated and able to use their initiative in order to generate the work required for successful completion. Candidates are expected to produce a draft of their commentary by the half way point of registration.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs. For research programmes this includes research fees and research support fees.

Find out More

How you are assessed

This programme is assessed by the submission of a portfolio of selected work, a 15,000 word commentary, and normally an oral examination (viva voce).

Portfolio

The works selected for the portfolio should be focused and coherent. They may include papers, chapters, books, policy documents, educational programmes, service transformation projects, and reports to name some example. All of the work chosen should be publicly available. The works selected should normally have been undertaken during a minimum period of three years and need to have contemporary relevance. The volume of work needs to be comparable with that expected from a three-year full time PhD.

15,000 Word Commentary

The commentary needs to set out the proposed basis for the award by placing the work in its wider context. The commentary shall be up to 15,000 words in length and constitute a critical review including;

  • An abstract of the portfolio as a whole including the key theme(s)
  • A summary of each of the materials submitted including the aims and objectives of the work
  • An overview of interrelationship between the materials and how they sit within the broader discipline area and existing literature
  • A critical reflection of the techniques used to conduct the work
  • A critical discussion of the impact of the projects in practice
  • A critical review of the original contribution the work makes to the field of practice
  • Conclusions and recommendations for future work.

The commentary should achieve a depth of scholarship comparable to that required for the award of PhD by thesis.

Oral Examination

An oral examination will normally take place within four months of submission of the portfolio and commentary. Candidates will be examined by two external examiners and one internal examiner, and the process will be overseen by an independent viva chair. Following the examination and recommendation made by the examination team it may be necessary to undertake some amendments to the portfolio and/or commentary in order to satisfy the criteria for the award.

Fees and Scholarships

Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future, and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

There are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Entry Requirements 2020-21

  • A minimum upper second class honours degree in a related subject or registered professional qualification.
  • Must be currently practising in a health, social work, or social care environment, or School/Faculty in a higher education institution.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

Research Areas, Projects and Topics

We are open to discussion about research ideas in all areas of health and social care practice and/or education, and will endeavour to support prospective students wherever we can reasonably do so in terms of supervision capacity and expertise.

Below are some of the areas where members of the team have particular expertise and would be happy to take on new students:

  • Health Economics
  • Healthcare Workforce Planning and Development
  • Trauma, Critical, and Emergency Care
  • Pre-hospital Care
  • Mental Health
  • Addiction
  • Hospital Acquired Infections
  • Health Inequalities
  • Teaching and Learning in Health and Social Care
  • Nurse Education
  • Inter-professional Education and Multi-agency Working
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Service evaluation, Transformation, and Quality Improvement


For further information about the work of our academic staff, please visit our School of Health and Social Care staff profiles.

How to Apply

The application process for the PhD by Practice Portfolio Health and Social care differs to the process for applying for other research degrees. In addition to the completed online application form, we will require two documents (no more than 3,000 words in total):

  • A list of the collection of materials that would be included in the body of work. Applicants will need to explain why each selection has been made, and how the materials together demonstrate an original contribution to their field.
  • A proposal for the 15,000 word commentary outlining where the work will sit within existing knowledge, the body of literature to be reviewed, the techniques used to generate the work and the impact of the work on practice.

Discover More

Research at Lincoln

Our research themes cover a unique set of areas, reflecting our role as a civic university and our aspirations to become thought leaders.

Studentships

There are opportunites to get involved in exciting research projects by applying for a studentship.
Supporting your Research

Support is available across the University, offering a friendly, creative, and academically challenging research environment.
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.
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