The Doctor of Social Science programme provides an alternative route to a doctorate for students who wish to develop their careers in the rapidly changing world of professional policymaking.
The programme combines coursework and a dissertation, offering a more broadly-based curriculum and a more structured learning environment than the more research-dominated traditional PhD.
The programme aims to:
The programme can be studied full- or part-time.
For full-time students the study period is comparable with that of a PhD programme: a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years.
Students studying the programme part-time have considerable flexibility in the rate at which they progress. Progress will often depend upon personal circumstances and the timetable for coursework units. We would encourage part-time students to take at least three units a year, but some students progress at a slower pace. The maximum part-time study period is eight years.
The programme is open to students with a good undergraduate degree, preferably in a social science.
Since its launch in 2002 the DSocSci programme has recruited students from across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the United States. The students have a mix of backgrounds, ages, and extent and type of professional experience across a range of public and voluntary service. This diverse student group enriches the learning environment.
One in five students studies the programme full time. The majority of students therefore study the programme part time: many combine study with demanding work schedules. Flexible delivery is a key attraction of the programme for these students.
Many existing DSocSci students already possess a Masters degree and are attracted to the idea of pursuing a higher degree in a structured learning environment, rather than the more open-ended PhD route.
‘I consider myself fortunate to have taken the Doctorate of Social Sciences research curriculum at the University of Bristol. The modules gave me the opportunity for further learning and were both challenging and thought provoking. I would like to thank all the lecturers and support staff involved for providing a rewarding course that has expanded so much on my professional work experience and contributed towards this research.’ (Acknowledgement in her thesis).
I have been a management consultant for health and social care since 1996. Prior to this my background was primarily management in social services and later in the voluntary sector. The opportunities that DSocSci opened up were profound. Although a relevant first degree and social work training provided a sound basis for social and health policy issues, the ideas, research, in depth knowledge of experts in a variety of fields, both internal and invited, expanded my knowledge and led to the desire to follow up research in certain areas. I was privileged as part of the course to attend lectures by national/international figures who have made significant contributions to health and social care reforms, such as the late Professor Peter Townsend.
Each taught and research module contributed to my work in some way. I was able to make work presentations more interesting by providing a broader context. The programme continuity was good, delivery was excellent, flexibility of learning fitted in with work, although I did elect to take a break to complete my thesis.
Doing the Doctorate of Social Science programme was stimulating, stretching and very motivating. The flexible structure of the doctorate accommodates students who juggle study with full-time jobs and family commitments. The programme gives a first-rate grounding in qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as international and comparative policy studies. World-class teaching, excellent support and advice for individual research, numerous opportunities for networking with leading international scholars – the School for Policy Studies is a great place to do a research degree.
Being in employment as well as studying for the DSocSci has been a positive experience. The modular approach assisted me to start studying at a higher level as well as preparing me for the research phase. I have been able to use my own experiences and interests in assignments to compliment work and study. Staff at SPS are easy to approach, friendly and helpful.
When I was looking for a doctoral course I had strong reservations about how I might have the time to complete it and work full time. The DSocSci route seemed the perfect option as it is modular and part-time and I could choose the taught study time around my other commitments. Since starting the DSocSci I have not looked back. I have found the staff very supportive, and encouraging to ensure a high standard in my academic work. Bristol University is a great place to study and I would recommend this course to anyone who is thinking of studying at this level. I am just about to begin my research and for me this is very exciting!
The School for Policy Studies is an active and supportive department. Its research centres are engaged in interesting and relevant work in various fields of social policy. Within the School, the DSocSci program allows for a high degree of independence and flexibility, such as the opportunity to focus on topics of interest within some of the coursework. At the same time, the program also applies rigorous standards and offers close supervision if desired. I've found the facilities, resources and infrastructure to be very good, and the common offices for postgraduate research students facilitate the exchange of ideas, mutual support and the opportunity to obtain invaluable help and advice from other current postgraduate research students.
Flexibility is important. Many of the units delivered as part of this programme do not follow traditional timetables of conventional academic study. The coursework for most units is based on concentrated blocks of teaching, often over three days. All the mandatory units are delivered on this basis. In order to open up a range of electives a greater diversity of timetabling is presented. Many of the units are delivered in concentrated blocks, but students have the option to choose units that are delivered on a more conventional weekly basis.
The full programme entails studying the equivalent of 12 standard coursework units1. and then successfully completing a dissertation with a guideline length of 45,000 words.
Students who already hold an approved Masters degree can receive credit of up to 4.5 units and so have to complete 7.5 units and their dissertation.
Each standard coursework unit typically has three components:
Submission of the assignment takes place three months after the teaching has been completed.
A standard coursework unit is typically assessed through essays or assignments of approximately 4,000 words.
The dissertation will be judged against the same criteria as a PhD, in terms of its contribution to knowledge in an academic field, and will be examined in writing and orally. However, a DSocSci dissertation will typically have a narrower focus than a PhD thesis.
1. One unit equals 20 credit points. See Education Support Unit website for more about credit points