UK SBS Professional Doctorates: research to understand demand for and the characteristics of the range of professional doctorates in English higher education

HEFCE invites tenders to undertake a study to understand the demand for and characteristics of the range of professional doctorates in English higher education. The commissioned research will involve qualitative research with stakeholder representatives as well as samples from three interlinked interest groups: HEIs, students and employers. Researchers will also work with HEFCE to collect and evaluate quantitative data on professional doctorates, to better understand the profile of this diverse group of students at the national level. The primary output will be a written report to HEFCE, though we will work closely with the project team throughout and will require regular updates on progress and findings. Results will feed into the Council's wider, cross-cutting theme on postgraduate funding and will inform our work on vocational and technical skills in HE, and beyond, including providing evidence for the 2015 Spending Review.