Professional Doctorate in Social and Public Policy, SPPD

We encourage interested applicants to contact us to discuss their areas of interest and qualifications before making a formal application.   

Candidates interested in applying to study the SPPD should hold:  

• Significant level of organisational experience, usually at least 3 years in a senior role.
• An undergraduate degree with a minimum classification of upper second (2:1) or equivalent. We would also be willing to consider those with other backgrounds and work experience in the sector, in place of the undergraduate degree entry requirement.
• A Masters’ degree in a related discipline or equivalent professional qualification.

Applications must be accompanied with a CV and proposal identifying a professional issue or problem that may form the basis of their future research.

Applicants will be invited to an interview with the programme leadership team.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 7 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

Reference Requirement

As standard, two references are required before we can progress applications to the College/School research programme Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Applications received without two references attached are placed on hold, pending receipt of the outstanding reference(s). Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference(s) may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee(s) to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference(s) or alternatively, hold submission of application until references are sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference(s) after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee(s), requesting a reference(s) on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form.

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk.

Our professional doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice gives you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience.

Our exceptional academic support includes:

• Supervision from our world class faculty with a breadth of professional and academic knowledge;
• State-of-the-art facilities;
• An environment in which you can develop and enhance transferable skills such as problem solving, independent thinking, project management, and critical thinking;
• The availability of structured training, interdisciplinary seminars, dedicated research facilities and software;
• A student community, drawn from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, bringing a wide range of research interests and personal and professional backgrounds – enhancing the learning experiences of the whole student community.

On entry to the programme you will be assigned a supervisor who will work with you throughout and provide academic advice and support through the key stages of your development. 

Find out more about our academic faculty by visiting our staff profiles.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Note: The 2025/2026 UK fee is indicative pending confirmation from UKRI.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

APPLICATION PROCESS STEPS AND ADVICE FOR APPLYING

Identifying a relevant research topic

Applicants are encouraged to explore the research expertise of the School to ensure a good fit between PhD proposals and potential supervisors. You are more than welcome to arrange a meeting with relevant staff in your field to discuss your proposal before submitting it.

Preparing your research proposals

After you have identified a relevant research topic please prepare a detailed research proposal to include with your application. Guidance on writing a research proposal is also available.

How to Apply

After you have completed preparing an appropriate research proposal, please apply for a place on our PhD programme online here. 

Please note that it is advisable that you contact us before submitting your application. This will ensure we can identify appropriate supervisors, and where necessary work with you to refine your proposal. If you would like to do this, email: solpgr@swansea.ac.uk

Applicants can expect to be interviewed following their application to discuss their topic of research and ensure they demonstrate the necessary level of commitment to their studies and training.

If you're an international student, find out more about applying for this course here.

Suggested Application Timings

In order to allow sufficient time for consideration of your application by an academic, for potential offer conditions to be met and travel / relocation, we recommend that applications are made before the dates outlined below. Please note that applications can still be submitted outside of the suggested dates below but there is the potential that your application/potential offer may need to be moved to the next appropriate intake window.

October Enrolment

UK Applicants – 15th August

EU/International applicants – 15th July

January Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th November

EU/International applicants – 15th October

April Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th February

EU/International applicants – 15th January

July Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th May

EU/International applicants – 15th April

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Programme Aims

The programme aims to equip professionals with the tools to systematically acquire and comprehend extensive knowledge in their field, deliver a critical stance towards professional practice, analyse specific issues using a deep understanding of relevant social science research, produce high-quality work for peer review and publication, and make a substantial contribution to the field through research-based thesis.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises key elements:

• Entry and confirmation of candidature
• Taught methodology
• Main body of research
• Thesis and viva voce

The programme consists of two phases: a taught phase, comprising five taught modules, and a research phase, during which students will produce a doctoral thesis.

The taught modules are skills based and are carefully structured to enhance your abilities to undertake independent research.

The taught modules take place on campus at Swansea University, and you will normally take two modules each year. First year modules include: The Philosophy and Ethics of Social Science Research and Understanding and Presenting Research Literature. Second year modules include: Applied Doctoral Research Methodologies and Methods and The Presentation and Analysis of Data. Module 5 of year three is Preparation for Thesis.

After successful completion of five modules, you will then move on to the research stage for years 4 to 6, during which you will undertake original research, to be presented and defended during a viva voce examination, as with other doctoral programmes.

Assessment

Students are assessed in a variety of ways, through the taught modules and the preparation of a doctoral thesis.

Knowledge and understanding are assessed through a variety of assessment methods which include assignments, presentations, formal reports, and projects.

The programme offers students a hybrid approach to studying:

• In Person Teaching Methods – including lectures, workshops, group work, practice-based learning and case study discussions/examples.
• Independent Study Methods – including the use of reflective journals, pre-recorded material, and online collaboration methods and reading lists to conduct autonomous learning.
• Students also have opportunities to request detailed written feedback reports from tutors, which enables continuous learning growth and research development.
• It is recognised that where learners are returning to education post experience, assessment support may be required. Assessments in the DCrim have been designed with this in mind and factors in a high level of student input; students will choose the focus of study in all assessments, which are of individual interest, and build on their current background of professional knowledge and be supported in developing their own research interests.

Learning and Development

The programme aims to create an enhanced and fully integrated student experience by developing a sense of community around the degree.

Teaching in the formal taught sessions will be interactive, including small and large group discussions, supported by appropriate digital technology to ensure participation of value. Learning will also be supported by ongoing communication and support from Module Co-ordinators via Canvas and the monthly online meetings.

Throughout the taught modules, students will be encouraged to relate content to their own contexts, leading to practice engaged research. Furthermore, teaching and learning within each module will be constructed based on their individual needs, academics will include their own professional experience and research interests to support the focus of their content. This diversity in the materials alongside the teaching and the concomitant learning will take a variety of forms.

During the time between the teaching weeks, much of the learning will be self-directed but students will also be in monthly contact with the Programme Director and have online access to discussions with Module Co-ordinators. All modules will be supported by individual (Online, Virtual Learning Environment) Canvas sites, allowing both students and staff to add content.

Swansea University also offers a comprehensive researcher development programme for postgraduate researchers, aimed to develop the skills, knowledge, and attributes to excel in research and future careers.

Students will have opportunities to attend relevant events as part of the School’s Research seminar series and will be encouraged to engage with all the support available for research students.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

• Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge of the organisational and/or professional context through critical evaluation of relevant literature at the forefront of their field.
• Create, interpret, analyse, and develop new knowledge that extends the discipline and adds value to the organisational and/or professional context through original research or other advanced scholarship.
• Disseminate new knowledge gained through original research or other advanced scholarship clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner using a variety of appropriate media.
• Apply research skills, critically, and subject theory to the practice of research.
• Critically reflect in relation to the work completed to provide new or refined insights into the organisation and/or professional practice.

Intellectual

• Show critical understanding of relevant literature within their organisational and/or professional context.
• Show a critical understanding of the application of research to practice.
• Conceptualise, design, and implement an applied project for the generation of new knowledge within the organisational and/or professional context, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
• Critically analyse the methodological, theoretical, and ethical dimensions of research and show a critical awareness of potential limitations and constraints.
• Apply sound ethical principles to research, with due regard for the integrity of persons and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.

Practical

• Select appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies to enable them to conduct research leading to the generation of original knowledge in relation to their professional practice.
• Conduct in-depth and effective searches of relevant literature, research and other sources and critically evaluate the results.
• Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively with a multi-disciplinary cohort of students to gain and share insights with others.
• Contribute to the development of professional practice by the dissemination of their understanding through a variety of formats.
• Manage complex research tasks independently, and deal with problematic situations as they arise.
• Exercise professional standards in research and research integrity, including ethical, legal, and health and safety aspects.

Transferable Skills

• Exercise personal responsibility within a largely autonomous project.
• Respond appropriately within complex and unpredictable situations, taking into consideration ethical, professional, and legal responsibilities of their professional and research contexts.
• Demonstrate a reflective, thoughtful, and flexible approach to their research, professional development, and application to their own area of practice.
• Provide authoritative solutions when presented with complex practical or ethical problems within a professional context.
• Manage change effectively, prioritise time, resources and workloads and respond to changing professional demands to complete projects within a specified time frame.