detail

Social Work (Integrated PhD)

Academic Year 2021/22

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

Social Work (Integrated PhD)

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

Doctor of Philosophy

Programme Code

SWK-PHD-IT

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100503

ATAS Clearance Required

Health Check Required

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Research

Length of Programme

Full Time - 4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

540

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution	Queen's University Belfast
School/Department	Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
Quality Code https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code Higher Education Credit Framework for England https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england	Level 8
Subject Benchmark Statements https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf	Education Studies (2015)
Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

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

Programme Specific Regulations

Year 1: Comprises 4 taught modules (30 CAT Points each) and a Mini Research Project worth 60 CAT points. These modules will be Doctoral level modules.
This will qualify students to transfer to the Research phase but also to exit the course at the 180 CAT point level which is in line with the FHEQ’s requirements for a Master’s degree.
Year 2: Will require the students to study specific skills training and avail of the training courses from the Graduate School. At the end of Year 2 the students will be required to Differentiate to assess whether the student can go on to study for the PhD or whether they should move to the MPhil pathway.
Year 3: Students will complete skills training, research and fieldwork, taking an Annual Progress Review, in line with PhD study.
Year 4: In this final year the student will complete data analysis and write up. The student will submit their Thesis and take a Viva Voce where they will exit with a PhD or an MPhil depending on Viva outcome.

Skills Training
Students ought to avail of doctoral training in general and from this regard will be treated in the same way as all other doctoral students in the School. Students should also avail of the Graduate School’s training opportunities. The School will also provide specific skills training workshops in response to the needs identified by students. This will be organised and disseminated on an annual basis in line with current School practice.

Progress Evaluation
Students must submit a project summary and research plan, approved by the supervisory team, for independent Initial Review by the Head of School or nominee, in the second year of Integrated PhD study. The independent reviewer shall determine the feasibility of the project and the research plan, outlining any required amendments, and taking account of the required timeframe for the degree.
In line with the Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes, students will be required to adhere to Annual Progress Review which will include but is not exclusive to differentiation in Year 2 (FTE). As outlined below a failure to demonstrate sufficient progress may lead to a student exiting the programme.

Stepping-off /Exit points
Students who do not meet doctoral benchmarks will be given the opportunity to avail of a recognisable Masters sooner rather than later. The Year 1 exit route will be an MRes provided students have completed all necessary credits successfully. This includes successful completion of assignments for all four taught modules and the Internal Pilot Research Project.
For those students who do not successfully complete one or more taught modules an opportunity for resubmission will be available as per study regulations for Postgraduate Taught programmes. As per regulation 5.4.15, students who have failed a module twice (one first sit and one re-sit in one academic year) must then meet with their supervisor and will not be permitted to repeat that module again. This will result in the student being withdrawn from the programme.
Following Differentiation in Year 2 the exit route will be determined as the requirement to submit a thesis for MPhil or continue on to PhD.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

The purpose of the Integrated PhD is to allow students to gain entry to a PhD programme through an additional year of structured support; create a sound basis for development of research skills, detailed comprehension of the demands of doctoral level study and work towards further development of their and feasible research proposals.

On successful completion of the programme students will have gained competence at doctoral level in the following:
• critical evaluation of relevant literature;
• ability to apply a range of research methods;
• skills in communicating research findings and identifying the practical implications of such findings for a range of professional groups. These competencies will be demonstrated through the successful completion of assignments and an Internal Pilot Research Project on a topic which will be in the student’s area of professional expertise and integral to their overall doctoral theses.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

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

Understand the doctoral research process by distinguishing prior learning experience/professional background from the academic rigour required at doctoral level

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules and Internal Pilot Research Project. Liaising with supervisory team.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s) and research project (15,000 words) as per module outline.

Understand how to write and think critically at doctoral level including understanding of sophisticated conceptual frameworks and research paradigms

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules and Internal Pilot Research Project. Students required to complete appropriate training courses through QUB Graduate School and the SSESW internal training programme.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s) and research project (15,000 words) as per module outline.
Attendance at appropriate training courses.

Apply a sophisticated search strategy incorporating a comprehensive and targeted critique of literature related to their research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD. To ensure a novel contribution to the knowledge base in their chosen area.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Understand research methods, analysis, interpretation and translation of research evidence and its application

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Apply critical responses to existing theoretical discourses, methodologies and practices, and suggest new concepts or approaches.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Demonstrate an ability to design and undertake substantial investigations to address areas of theory and/or practice autonomously.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Demonstrate the ability to identify advanced methodological approaches and critically evaluate their appropriateness.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Analyse and evaluate complex theory and practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

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

Sophisticated application of accrued knowledge throughout the taught modules to enhance understanding of policy, theoretical frameworks and practice developments relevant their area of expertise

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Application of understanding the paradigms of interdisciplinary research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Apply knowledge and understanding of evidence-informed practice and multi-disciplinary work in the student’s own professional field

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, mini research project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

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

Undertake sophisticated search strategies of relevant literature relevant for study at doctoral level

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, Internal Pilot Research Project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Write at doctoral level in subject specific areas and where applicable, apply such insights to their professional and/or research practice;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, mini research project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Use critically reflective practice and evidence-based approaches to examine and develop their professional and/ research activities;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, mini research project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

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

Demonstrate an ability to construct and represent their ideas in oral and written formats commensurate with the learning outcomes at doctoral level.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, mini research project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

Demonstrate an ability to communicate and apply complex theoretical perspectives

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of four core modules, mini research project and continued development throughout completion of PhD.

Methods of Assessment

Successful completion of module coursework (written assignment/s), research project (15,000 words) and PhD.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
Introduction to Doctoral Research: The research process	EDU8101	9	30	YES		2 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Principles of Research Design	EDU8103	9	30		YES	10 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Applied Data Analysis	EDU8104	9	30		YES	10 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Theories, frameworks and concepts	EDU8102	9	30	YES		10 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Mini Research Project	EDU8105	9	60	YES	YES	24 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Notes Full-Time 4 year study is Year 1 180 CATS points, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 normal PhD route. Total of 540 CATS points for programme.

detail

Social Work (Integrated PhD)

Academic Year 2021/22

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

REGULATION INFORMATION

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

MODULE INFORMATION

Notes