Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence
The course is a unique part-time degree designed to enhance professional education and practice through rigorous research.
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Course overview
Postgraduate Open Evening
Discover your future prospects with postgraduate study at Buckingham.
14 May 2025
FIND OUT MOREAbout the Course
The Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence is a unique part-time degree designed to enhance professional education and practice through rigorous research into complex management issues. It is envisaged that students holding the Professional Doctorate will ultimately lead communities of practice in their specialist profession.
This programme is aimed at senior business professionals aiming to take their career to the next level.
The Professional Doctorate award is distinct from a PhD award in the following respects:
- The Professional Doctorate typically focuses on research ‘in’ rather than research ‘on’ organisations.
- The thesis produced at the end of the programme will make an original contribution to practice within the relevant professional area or areas.
- Considerable weight is given to the taught components of the programme.
Employers will benefit from supporting students on the programme developing and retaining key talent and building knowledge for competitive advantage.
Entry Requirements
- A master’s degree from a recognised institution comparable/ equivalent to a British level 7 degree.
- A minimum of 5 years management experience at a senior level with practical knowledge of business or public organisations.
- A draft research proposal must be submitted and all prospective students will be interviewed, either in person or remotely.
- If your first language is not English, you will also need an IELTS score of 7.5.
Applicants without a master’s degree may still be eligible based on their professional experience and qualifications.
Teaching & Assessment
Structure
Students will initially be registered for the degree of DProf. Their status will be probationary until all taught modules have been passed and the proposed research has been assessed as viable.
Each student will be assigned a supervisory team which will provide expert support throughout the taught and research components of the programme.
The first two years of the programme comprise taught modules that prepare students for doctoral level research in Operational Excellence. The taught modules are delivered through a series of three one-week workshops facilitated by internationally renowned researchers and practitioners during the first two years. The taught modules are followed by a doctoral research project of 2 plus years.
Modules
Each of the taught modules will be summatively assessed by an individual written assignment. Some modules also include a summatively assessed individual presentation. Throughout the taught and research components of the programme supervisors will provide extensive formative feedback on draft work thereby ensuring that work submitted for summative assessment meets required standards.
After Your Course
Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a Professional Doctorate in Operational Excellence (DProf).
Students who successfully complete all taught modules will be eligible to graduate with a step-off award of Master of Business Research (MBusRes) if doctoral level research is not pursued.
Graduates will acquire a widely-respected qualification that clearly demonstrates their intellectual capacity and their ability to innovate and problem-solve.
The programme will also provide global and local networking opportunities – ideas and research experiences will be debated with other students and with faculty.
Course Fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | First Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2025 Part-time (6 Years) | UK | £5,511 | £33,064 |
| INT | £9,645 | £57,868 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. Find out more information and check your eligibility.
Scholarships and bursaries
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.
Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:
UK Students
Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship
International Students
Royal Charter 40th Anniversary Scholarship
Accommodation
Due to the mode of study on this course you will not normally need a room in University accommodation during your degree.