Shaping the future of doctoral learning
A research environment for working scholars — flexible doctoral programmes, world-class supervision, and industry-connected innovation.
Call for Papers Now Open
IDEAS 2026
International Doctoral Education Annual Symposium
24–26 November 2026 · Newcastle upon Tyne & Online
The Impact of Doctoral Education and Research on Innovation, Enterprise and Global Growth
Hosted by Brenkley Doctoral College · Connecting Doctoral Researchers · Inspiring Innovation · Creating Global Impact
Key Dates
Priority SubmissionSeptember 2026
Final SubmissionOctober 2026
Symposium24–26 Nov 2026
Our Story
Shaping the future of doctoral learning
2020
Founded with a single conviction: that the most important research questions are held by practitioners already working in the field.
40+
Doctoral candidates across business, education, health, and public service — all working professionals.
10+
Countries represented in our researcher community, spanning the UK, Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
97%
Candidate satisfaction — built on rigorous supervision, flexible delivery, and genuine academic community.
Brenkley Doctoral College was established to serve a generation of senior professionals who want to generate original knowledge from within their practice. We offer flexible doctoral programmes, world-class supervision, and a research environment built around the realities of professional life.
0+
PhDs
0+
Countries
0%
Satisfaction
0
Research Themes
What We Do
Three pillars define how Brenkley Doctoral College advances doctoral education.
Doctoral Programmes
Flexible pathways from Access to Doctorate through the Extended Advanced Diploma to PhD — designed for working researchers.
Learn more →
Research & Innovation
Twelve themed research groups producing industry-facing publications and commissioned case studies.
Learn more →
Events & Community
Our annual Symposium, supervisor workshops, and researcher seminars throughout the year.
Learn more →
Featured Programmes
Flexible doctoral and training pathways.
Main Qualification Online
Extended Advanced Diploma — Year 1 of the PhD
SCQF Level 11, 180 credits, equivalent to Year 1 of a PhD and delivered fully online, with an applied internship putting theory into practice. Articulates directly into PhD Year 2 at a partner university, or stands alone as a qualification.
Fees £10,000 for Year 1 Explore →
Doctoral UK Campus
UK Campus Based PhD — Years 2 to Completion
Year 1 (Extended Advanced Diploma) is fully online with us; you then articulate into PhD Year 2 at a partner university of your choice, moving to their UK campus through to graduation.
Year 1: £10,000 · Year 2 onward: set by university Explore →
Training Modular
Research Training Programme
Methodology, analytics, and scholarly-writing modules for researchers at any stage of their career.
£1,500 per Module Explore →
Training Modular
Supervisor Development Programme
Training and CPD for new and experienced doctoral supervisors.
Fees £1,200 Explore →
Latest News & Insights
Fresh thinking from our team.
Upcoming Events
Join us this year.
24–26 November 2026
Annual Doctoral Symposium 2026
Symposium · Online & Newcastle upon Tyne
Three days of keynotes, panels, and workshops for doctoral researchers.
11 January 2027
Supervisor Development Workshop
Workshop · Fully Online
Intensive one-day workshop for new doctoral supervisors.
25 January 2027
Research Methods Webinar Series
Webinar · Fully Online
Monthly webinars on qualitative and quantitative methods.
Meet the supervisors
Supervision is the single biggest determinant of a good doctorate.
SO
Prof. Stanley Oliver
Principal, Brenkley Doctoral College
mixed · 8 researchers
Read profile →
ZS
Dr. Zahra Salimi
Academic Lead for Research & Enterprise
mixed · 8 researchers
Read profile →
LB
Dr. Liz Blower
Academic Lead for Operations
qualitative · 8 researchers
Read profile →
AF
Adjunct Faculty
Experienced Supervisors
mixed · 20+ researchers
Read profile →
Apply
Begin your doctoral journey with a flexible pathway built for working researchers.
Start ApplicationPartner
Collaborate on research, consultancy, and supervisor training with the Brenkley Doctoral College network.
Explore Partnerships