DrPH

Structure

Taught component

The taught component consists of two compulsory modules. In “Understanding Leadership, Management and Organisations” students explore a range of issues and theories relating to management, leadership and organisations and consider the application of these theories both to public health organisations and their own management practice. “Evidence Based Public Health Policy” focuses on key skills required for improving and shaping policy and practice, involving accessing, understanding, developing, disseminating and facilitating the use of the evidence base for better public health outcomes. 
The modules are taught in London between late September and December. They are delivered through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and small group work. Students are expected to learn through both directed and self-directed study. Modules are assessed through individual written assignments.

Students are not required to take any other modules but may, throughout the remainder of the programme, choose to study some MSc Modules to cover particular skills relevant to their research. This enables students to tailor the programme to their individual backgrounds and needs.

Research Study I: Organisational and Policy Analysis (OPA) project

The OPA project involves research that provides DrPH students with the opportunity to observe and analyse 
the workings of a public health organisation in its policy environment and to gain a better understanding of how to develop effective public health organisations and policy. The project usually involves 3-6 months fieldwork within a host organisation of the student’s choice. The host organisation can be any public, non-profit or private institution that is engaged in public health practice or has a public health mandate.

The OPA project is assessed on the basis of a written report not exceeding 15,000 words examined by viva normally with the research thesis (see below). Progression to the OPA project component is subject to successful completion of the two compulsory core modules. The OPA project report is normally submitted for formative assessment before commencing the thesis element of the programme.

Research Study II: Thesis project

As for a PhD, the purpose of the DrPH thesis project is 
to enable students to develop as competent independent researchers. By the end of their studies students should
be able to plan effectively and undertake independent research and will have developed key transferable skills. As with a PhD, the thesis topic can be from any public health-related discipline or subject area agreed with the student’s supervisor and the research must be original and make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the chosen subject.

Unlike PhD students who are registered for an MPhil until they have successfully upgraded, DrPH candidates are admitted directly to the Doctoral Programme; this means that the approval of the research plans are assessed at the DrPH Review, rather than at an ‘upgrading’. Whilst the DrPH research thesis must meet doctoral level standards, due to the time allocated for this component (typically about 18 months), the DrPH thesis is necessarily shorter in length and more limited in scope than a PhD thesis.

The DrPH thesis has a 60,000 word limit, excluding references and appendices. It includes a 1,500 word integrating statement summarising the student’s learning over the three components of the degree and highlighting links between the components.

Programme duration

The period of study for full-time DrPH students is a minimum of three years and a maximum of four years (or four and eight years respectively under part-time or split-study mode). Students are required to be in the School during the first term for the taught programme elements and normally spend time in the School during the preparation of their OPA project. Following completion of the OPA project, students are also expected to spend time in the School preparing and presenting their research project plans to a DrPH Review Committee. Over the programme of their degree DrPH students are expected to spend at least 9 months full-time in London.

As the timetable of compulsory modules is fixed, all DrPH students need to commence the programme at the start of the UK academic year in September. Compulsory modules are London-based but in all other areas the programme aims to be flexible to meet students’ needs while at the same time adhering to excellence in learning and research.

Part-time study

The School requires students who apply for part-time study to be available to study for at least two days per week. Where applicable, a letter from your employer is required to confirm that at least two days per week will be permitted for work on your degree.

A split study option is also available whereby students complete the taught component in full-time mode before reverting to part-time mode at the mid-way point of their first year.