This course is flexible and recognises your career commitments and the needs of your employer. It allows you to devise a personal programme to suit your needs, while pursuing your research interests. With this programme, you can combine taught courses on public policy, public management and research methods with carrying out a substantial piece of independent, doctoral-level research. This programme provides critical reflection on public sector reforms, including evidence-based policy and practice. It supports creating greater capacity within the UK public and voluntary sectors to conduct, commission and evaluate research as a contribution to the achievement of public goals. Professional doctorates are doctoral-level qualifications, equivalent to traditional PhDs. They are rigorous programmes of advanced applied study and research, specifically designed to meet the needs of practising professionals. They provide a framework for the integration of professional expertise and scholarly inquiry to explore specific areas of interest. Recent graduates have pursued careers in a diverse range of fields across the public and private sector, including housing, research, marketing, support work, human resources and journalism.