Engineering - Professional Doctorate (DEng) Programme content

Key Information:  

• Complete part-time over four years  

• Blended delivery – online lectures and at least 1 on-campus day per semester  

• Complete a Qualifier module to identify research topic before starting DEng 

• Modules taught during spring, summer and autumn semesters  

• Participate in a ‘Community of Practice’. Interact and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities around the academic content. 

• Submit dissertation at the end of the final semester and participate in the Viva Voce process to defend your work. 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Part-time considerations:  

• Designed for working professionals  

• Evening or recorded lectures  

• Timetable provided after registration 

Year 1  

Spring Semester 

• Engineering Doctorate Qualifier module (PP8001) introduces students to the requirements of a Professional Doctorate. Participants will identify a problem that is significant to their industry or profession to propose an appropriate approach to solving this problem. This problem definition will form the basis of a submission to the Professional Doctorate in Engineering Academic Board. 

• You must pass this Qualifier Module to gain access to the Doctoral programme. 

Summer Semester  

During this semester, you’ll attend a residential week of face-to-face classes on campus at the end of May as part of the Generic and Transferable Skills Summer School. Following this, you’ll complete your summer modules online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Brightspace. 

• Research Networking: Developing an Academic Profile (CM8003) introduces students to the theory and practice of networking. 

• Digital/Data Research Management (CS8013) covers a range of Digital based systems including data management, digital ethics, conferences, seminars and presentations. 

• Research Integrity (ES8002) allows students to appreciate the requirement for research integrity and the scope of research integrity. 

• Research Ethics (LA8013) examines the ethical complexities which arise in conducting research involving human participants. 

• Planning Research and Publication (TL8003) helps researchers to successfully plan and manage their research process. 

• Developing Ideas and Arguments: Writing into Academic Communities (TL8013) encourages writers to examine how they use writing to identify and develop their ideas in responding to the ideas of others.

Year 2 

Autumn Semester  

• Research Methods for Professional Practice 1 (CS8012) enables students to describe the context in which research takes place and understand the types of research associated with a professional doctorate. 

• Research Dissertation 1 (PT8012) first of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• Data Strategies and Analysis Techniques for Research 1 (PT8002) introduces the fundamentals of data collection and analysis strategies to support research methodologies. 

• Data Strategies and Analysis Techniques for Research 2 (PT8022) enables students to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the role of scientific method in research activities. 

• Research Methods for Professional Practice 2 (PT8014) enables students to demonstrate how best to choose and refine their research approach to suit the organisation context. 

Summer Semester 

• Research Dissertation 2 (PT8013) second of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• Summer Report 1 (PT8003) focuses on the Literature Review Chapter of the Thesis. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 3 

Autumn Semester 

• Research Dissertation 3 (PT8023) third of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• Research Impact & Dissemination (CS8007) enables students to Identify aspects of their work that can contribute to their area of research and develop a draft presentation of worthwhile findings. 

• Research Dissertation 4 (PT8024) fourth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Summer Semester  

• Research Dissertation 5 (PT8053) fifth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• Summer Report 2 (PT8043) focuses on the Methodology chapter and an update of the Literature Review chapter. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 4 

Autumn Semester 

• Research Dissertation 6 (PT8005) sixth of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Spring Semester 

• Research Conference/Workshop (CS8009) enables students to present their research at reputable conferences or workshops relevant to their field. The experience offers peer review, exposure to diverse research perspectives, and engagement with academic, industry, and regulatory communities. 

• Research Dissertation 7 (PT8016) seventh of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

Summer Semester 

• Research Dissertation 8 (PT8073) eight of ten modules that enables students to engage in independent but supervised research and work towards a summer report. 

• Summer Report 3 (PT8063) focuses on showing students are following a suitable trajectory to complete their research. Students are required to be on campus at the end of May each year to present their research updates. 

Year 5 

Autumn Semester 

• Research Dissertation 9 (PT8007) supports students working towards their final Thesis Submission and Viva Voce. 

Spring Semester 

• Research Dissertation 10 (PT8008) supports students to complete their doctorate level dissertation. 

Summer Semester 

• Exam Board Graduation 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules