Overview
Clinical Doctorates are in demand by employers in the healthcare field. They transform experienced practitioners into leaders who shape healthcare through research and innovation.
You'll focus on improving patient care, whilst retaining a clinical focus. The course is tailored to the needs of UK and international nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
Gain advanced expertise in research
On our Clinical Doctorates degree you'll:
- learn how to carry out research that contributes to evidence-based practice;
- develop the skills and knowledge to use qualitative and quantitative data;
- understand the relationship between research and policy.
Career advancement and professional growth
You'll graduate from Stirling as a leading expert in your area of focus. You’ll be able to:
- bring immediate benefit to your workplace through your new knowledge and skills;
- open doors to senior roles and leadership opportunities within healthcare, research, and policy;
- develop personal skills such as communication, project management, leadership, confidence and time management.
Practical experience and industry connections
This Clinical Doctorates course focuses on work-based learning. You’ll benefit from placements, collaborations, and networking with professionals. Keynote contributions are also made by UK and international academics.
Our focus on practical experience ensures that you graduate ready to make an immediate impact in the workplace.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
Our Clinical Doctorate course aims to develop you as a clinically focussed senior Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health Professional and put you at the cutting edge of clinical research and practice in your field. Working autonomously, you’ll be able to design and execute research that deals with problems and issues in practice, as well as applying integrated approaches to the evaluation of new and complex ideas and information.
The course is designed to help you:
- tackle complex ideas and challenge established modes of thinking
- develop research and scholarship skills harnessed imaginatively to the field of clinical practice
- prepare to be at the cutting edge of clinical and research practice for your area of expertise
- become familiar with leading-edge research and enhance your ability to redesign the clinical environment and understanding of the research process
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
Our research is world-class and is recognised for its quality and innovation. Highlights from the most Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) analysis include:
- 100% of our research environment, 80% of our research impact and 83% of our overall research in Allied Health Professions and Nursing is classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
This course is closely affiliated with the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit – a highly regarded research body whose expertise feeds into our Clinical Doctorate course.
The Institute of Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) conducts research in three key areas: the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions based on social marketing principles; the impact of public policy on health and social welfare and the impact of commercial marketing on the health and behaviour of individuals and of society more generally.
Staff from across the Faculty, NMAHP-RU and ISMH are committed to sharing their expertise with you every step of the way as you study for your Clinical Doctorate.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- Candidates should normally hold a Masters degree and/or a good Honours degree or equivalent from a university or college recognised by the University of Stirling.
- UK candidates should hold an appropriate nursing, midwifery or allied health professional qualification and registration.
- International candidates should hold an appropriate nursing, midwifery or allied health professional qualification and be able to provide evidence of the governance of their professional standards and professional registration (where it exists).
- Candidates should normally have at least five years post-registration/qualification experience.
- Selection follows consideration of written application and statement.
Clinical Doctorates are suitable for a variety of health professionals including:
- nurses
- midwives
- dieticians
- occupational therapists
- physiotherapists
- paramedics
- speech and language therapists
- podiatrists
- sport psychologists
- genetic counsellors
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The course consists of three taught modules, an expert practice module and an empirical thesis. Taught components are clustered into two three-day sessions over the first three semesters, with each taught module studied over one semester.
Modules
Teaching
Throughout your studies, you can expect easy access to staff through regular face-to-face contact, video conferencing, email and phone. You’ll benefit from tutorial time in preparation for each assignment, and detailed feedback afterward. Our online learning environment, Canvas, is also available to you via the University portal, and each taught module is supported by a bespoke set of web pages where information, teaching materials and learning resources are uploaded by the module coordinator. Keynote contributions are also made to the Clinical Doctorate course by UK and international academics.
You can study this course full-time over three years or, more commonly, over four to eight years on a part-time basis. The period of study will also vary depending on whether you study for a Doctorate, Masters Degree or Postgraduate Diploma:
|
Full-time |
Doctorate |
4-6 years |
|
Masters |
2-3 years |
|
|
Diploma |
1-2 years |
|
|
Part-time |
Doctorate |
4-8 years |
|
Masters |
3-6 years |
|
|
Diploma |
1.5-4 years |
Assessment
The main method of assessment for each module is coursework, with one practice-based examination. You’ll have to successfully complete all taught modules before progressing to the research stage of the course.
Classroom hours
Each module consists of two three-day blocks and six weeks of independent study.
Course director
Key staff
The core Doctorate team includes:
Far-reaching clinical academic expertise feeds into the course and into student supervision. Keynote contributions are made to the clinical doctorate programme by UK and International academics.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
International (including EU) students |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £19,000 | £38,000 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £6,333 | £12,667 |
| Part-time annual fee (charged years 1-4) | £4,750 | £9,500 |
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
International (including EU) students |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full course fee | £19,400 | £38,800 |
| Full-time annual fee (charged years 1-3) | £6,467 | £12,933 |
| Part-time annual fee (charged years 1-4) | £4,850 | £9,700 |
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
This fee is charged as an annual course fee. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Doctoral loans
If you're domiciled in England or Wales you may be eligible to apply for a doctoral loan from your regional body:
- English students can apply for a loan of up to £30,301 from Student Finance England.
- Welsh students can apply for a loan of up to £29,130 from Student Finance Wales.
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
A Professional Doctorate can lead to various career paths, including:
- advanced clinical practice
- clinical academia
- research roles
- leadership positions
The course is practice-focused and designed to prepare you for leadership roles in the healthcare sector.
You’ll have the highest level of academic qualification available within your specialism. You will become a recognised, highly employable clinical academic expert.
Enhance your expertise in your field of healthcare and sharpen transferrable skills in areas such as:
- leadership
- analytical thinking
- research
- communication and teamwork
- decision making
NHS salaries
NHS salaries for health professionals with clinical doctorates typically fall within the Band 8b to 8d pay scale. This ranges from £57,349 to £88,167.
Nurse Consultant, Modern Matron, or Senior Midwife roles require clinical expertise and leadership. Specific salary levels within these bands depend on experience and responsibilities. (Source: NHS April 2025)
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