Programme Title

DChild Doctor of Childhood Studies

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Doctorate in Childhood Studies

Programme Code

SOC-DCH-CH

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100505

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Applicants will be required to attend an interview.

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Research

Length of Programme

6 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

540

Exit Awards available

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 8

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

Taught modules
Successful completion of each of the 8 taught modules module depends on attendance at all sessions for which a student is registered. Students will be assessed on each taught module by an assignment, (5000 words for each 30 CATS point module and 3,300 for each 20 CATS point module) to be submitted twelve weeks after the taught element of the module. At the six week stage students will be asked to submit a draft outline of their proposed assignment content (up to 1,000 words for a 5,000 word assignment and 500 words for a 3,300 word assignment). It is the module convenor’s responsibility to provide the student feedback on their draft.

Assignments deemed by the examiners to be unsatisfactory on first submission may be resubmitted on one further occasion. If an assignment does not satisfy the examiners on the second submission it is deemed a fail and no further submission is allowed. Extensions to submission dates for module assignments may be requested in writing from the course co-ordinator but cannot normally exceed 12 months from the date of the final teaching session for the module. After this point, the student will normally be deemed to have withdrawn from the module.

Students whose work is deemed unsatisfactory in the first submissions of two modules taken consecutively, will have their performance reviewed and may not be permitted to enrol on further modules until the outstanding modules are successfully completed. Failure to complete three modules successfully may result in a requirement for the candidate to withdraw from the course.

Research Dissertation
Students are also required to complete a research dissertation worth 300 D CATS points. Prior to commencing their dissertation they will be required to complete the compulsory research methods modules, to have developed a research proposal (the feasibility of which will be assessed by a transfer panel) and to have a satisfactory performance profile. A satisfactory performance profile is deemed to be the accumulation of at least 120 D-points in modules for which the student's assignments were deemed to be acceptable on first submission (i.e. not requiring resubmission) and that the 8 taught modules have been successfully completed.

Students whose profile is less than this will be advised about their suitability to undertake the doctoral dissertation study. Students may be required to withdraw from the doctoral programme at this point with the opportunity to take the award of a Master of Childhood Studies: MChild (Taught).

Students progressing to doctoral study are required to submit a dissertation of not more than 50,000 words. The topic of study and the appointment of a supervisor must, as noted above, be approved by a specially convened transfer panel. The thesis should represent a contribution to knowledge, showing evidence of originality, critical insight and the capacity to carry out independent research. Students may not submit a thesis for examination unless they have successfully completed all assignments for the taught units.

The notification of intention to submit, the format of the dissertation, the appointment of examiners, the examination of the thesis, the appeals procedures and all other processes involved will follow the University’s Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes. Successful examination of the dissertation will result in a Doctorate of Childhood Studies (DChild). Students whose dissertation is judged by the examiners to be of Master’s standard will be awarded a Masters of Childhood Studies: MChild (Research).

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain any barriers to access or progression for any protected group. The programme makes reasonable adjustments on receiving notification of a student with a disability.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Access, process, organise and synthesise information and ideas from different sources

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of information and ideas

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Critique ideas and information using a range of theoretical frameworks

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Make connections and articulate arguments, ideas or thoughts coherently, convincingly in written and oral work

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Evaluate arguments and evidence in order to make informed judgments

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Communicate arguments and thoughts effectively orally and in writing

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Access a range of resources (including electronic)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Work effectively in an inter-disciplinary context

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Plan, manage and carry out research proposals

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of historical and contemporary legal, policy and practice developments in relation to working with children and families

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Demonstrate critical awareness of the theoretical, political, economical, societal and cultural factors that that inform these developments

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Employ evidence based and interdisciplinary research skills in the broad field of work with children and families

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research methods used to explore research questions pertaining to children and their families

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Demonstrate awareness of and ability to implement a research process that adheres to appropriate ethical parameters

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate in-depth understanding of childhood studies theory and practice and a critical awareness of current issues in the field

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Raise critical questions about policy and practice developments in children’s’ services

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment

Demonstrate the development and application of advanced knowledge to the area of childhood studies

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Combination of taught sessions, group based discussions, group task based exercises and individualised learning via the on line discussion forum, assignment

Methods of Assessment

5,000 word assignment