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See how our research is focused on creating change.

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HomeCentre for Professional and Economic DevelopmentResearch

The Centre for Professional & Economic Development (CPED) is one of the largest pioneers using ‘learning through work’ approaches, and enjoys a strong reputation amongst professionals, employers and the government bodies who fund and review higher education quality. Our approach to research is focused on creating change in the real world of the professionals around the globe that join us.

Key benefits of our research approach for learners:

Key benefits of our research approach for employers:
  • Research is tailored to specific needs, interests and professional aspirations
  • Achieve and accelerate recognition and career progression - with minimal disruption
  • Get credit for significant workplace learning.
  • Deepen strategic impact and return of research investment
  • A pinnacle form of recognition and reward
  • Motivate and retain well qualified senior talent resources.

At CPED, there are three main research routes:

Doctoral Studies

The Centre for Professional & Economic Development is the home of the innovative Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). Both are designed to enable high-performing professionals to stimulate organisational development and contribute to wider debates in their field.

Our doctoral participants become active members of our research community. Members of this community are true practitioner-researchers who aim to develop strategic practice and contribute to wider debates associated with the contemporary issues impacting in their field.

MA/MSc degree through one major research project

This innovative Master's allows you to negotiate the focus of your research or investigation, and focuses on a real workplace issue and/or development that is pressing or in need attention. This Master's involves a variety of elements:

  • Self Review & Negotiation of Learning (20 credits) – to negotiate the focus of your degree
  • Up to 80 credits (4 modules) from:
    • Accreditation of prior learning/research (certificated or uncertificated)
    • Workshop, online or work based project modules to build expertise
  • Designing Practitioner Research (20 credits) – to build expertise in research design
  • Work-based research project/investigation (60 credits).

MA/MSc degree through two major research or development stages

This innovative Master's allows you to focus on two real workplace issues or areas for development, or two stages of development. This might include, for example, one stage of problem investigation (project 1) and then implementation (project 2). This Master's involves a variety of elements:

  • Self Review & Negotiation of Learning (20 credits) – to negotiate the focus of your degree.
  • Designing Practitioner Research (20 credits) – to build expertise in research design.
  • A workshop, online or work based project module to build expertise (or accreditation of previous research learning).
  • Work-based research project/investigation 1 (60 credits).
  • Work-based research project/investigation 2 (60 credits).

The major benefit from this structure is the continued rigourous investigation of an area beyond initial investigation, through to implementation - including specialist academic advice and guidance at both stages.