Doctor of Coaching and Mentoring

The course is designed as a three or five-year, part-time programme.

During the first two stages of the course you will focus on the taught level seven and eight components of the curriculum. This normally takes three years to complete. You will then move on to the third stage, the thesis, which usually takes a further two years to complete.

Stage One (Graduate entry stage) - six level 7 modules (20 credits each) plus a 60 credit Research project module (same as MA Coaching and Mentoring)

Stage Two - three level 8 modules (20 credits each) plus one non-credit bearing level 8 modules which must be passed

Stage Three (Direct entry) - research project registration and ethical approval with structured thesis workshops guiding students towards completion. At the draft submission stage students will have the opportunity to engage in a mock viva.

The direct entry version of the course can be completed in three years, with level seven exemptions, for existing masters qualifications. At this entry point you complete the level eight taught modules before moving onto the thesis research stage.

If you chose the on-campus mode of study for the MA stage (Graduate entry), you’ll learn at the Headington campus. Your learning will combine whole-day intensive sessions, and online and independent learning. On-campus sessions are on intermittent Saturdays, supported by regular online seminars. 

If you choose to do the course via distance learning, you’ll learn via interactive and high-quality online resources. At the MA stage (Graduate entry) the distance learning mode of study includes live online seminars on Fridays. At the DCM stage (Admission with credit) you’ll participate in live online seminars on Fridays and each semester there will be a block of sessions that you can join synchronously. 

Your learning will be visual, written and verbal - with equal emphasis on written and visual work. Each module builds upon the last, helping you meaningfully deepen your practice. You’ll be closely supported by your tutors as you build your research skills and deepen your academic abilities.

You will be assessed on a variety of coursework assignments and a thesis at both Stage 1 and stage 3. Progress to stage 2 depends upon a satisfactory merit profile and merit thesis at level 7.

To progress to the third stage of the course, you must successfully complete assignments based on methodological taught modules at level 8. The final doctoral thesis (60,000 words) is examined by traditional viva voce (oral examination) by an internal, and at least one, external examiner.