Programme — Year 1 of the PhD
Extended Advanced Diploma
SCQF Level 11 — 180 Credits — Includes Applied Internship — £4,800 per year
The Extended Advanced Diploma is Year 1 of the Brenkley Doctoral College PhD — a substantive, credit-rated qualification for professionals who want to conduct supervised original research and put theory into practice through a structured internship. Credit-rated at SCQF Level 11 (180 credits), it is a recognised and respected standalone qualification, and also the foundation year for progression to a full doctorate with one of our partner universities.
Part-time, flexible scheduling
180 credits within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Applied placement putting research theory into professional practice
Total £7,200–£9,600 depending on duration
About the Extended Advanced Diploma
Research and Practice at the Highest Pre-Doctoral Level
The Extended Advanced Diploma is a research degree, not a taught postgraduate qualification. It requires you to design and conduct an original research project, submit a substantial thesis (typically 40,000–60,000 words), pass an oral examination, and complete a supervised internship applying your research theory to a live professional context. It is a meaningful intellectual achievement and a recognised academic qualification.
Credit-rated at SCQF Level 11 (180 credits) — the level and credit weight of the first year of a Scottish doctoral degree — it enables recognition and potential credit transfer within the UK higher education system.
Successful completion is recognised as Year 1 of the Brenkley Doctoral College PhD, with the option to progress to Years 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities, or to a DBA or EdD.
Who Should Apply
Is the Extended Advanced Diploma Right for You?
You want to conduct rigorous original research but are not ready to commit to three or more years of doctoral study.
You want a recognised research qualification, backed by real-world applied experience, to advance your professional or academic career without a full doctorate.
You are testing whether doctoral-level research is for you, with the option to progress to a full doctorate at a partner university if you wish.
You have a specific, bounded research question that can be addressed in 18–24 months of part-time study, and want to put your findings into practice through an internship.
Programme Structure
18–24 Months to the Extended Advanced Diploma
Stage 1 (Months 1–9)
- Introduction to Research Methods module
- Literature review development
- Research design and ethics approval
- Research proposal submission and approval
- Supervision meetings (minimum 6 in first nine months)
Stage 2 (Months 10–18/24)
- Data collection and analysis
- Thesis writing with supervisor feedback
- Progress review at month 12
- Thesis submission (40,000–60,000 words)
- Oral examination (viva voce)
Applied Internship
- Structured placement in a professional or organisational setting
- Direct application of your research theory and findings to practice
- Supervised and assessed alongside your thesis work
- Internship outcomes report contributes to final credit award
- Award of the Extended Advanced Diploma (SCQF 11, 180 credits)
The Internship
Two Ways Into Your Internship
The internship is what turns Year 1 from a research exercise into applied practice. Most of our learners are already in professional roles, so we built the internship around two routes into a placement — whichever fits your circumstances.
Route 1 — Learner-Sourced
Bring Your Own Organisation
If you are already employed, you can propose your own workplace as your internship host. Your research is applied directly to a live challenge or project within your organisation, with your employer's agreement and our supervision framework in place.
Route 2 — Organisation-Sourced
Matched Through Our Employer Network
Organisations apply directly to Brenkley Doctoral College in one of two ways: to register an existing employee onto Year 1 of the PhD with an internship built around their role, or to bring forward a specific project that needs a researcher, which we match with a suitable learner. See Partnership Enquiries to register interest.
Either way, the same assurance applies: every placement runs under a structured learning contract, dual supervision (academic and workplace), agreed deliverables, and the legal and ethical safeguards (NDA, IP, data protection) set out in our internship agreements.
Progression
Your Choice of Partner University for Years 2 and 3
The Extended Advanced Diploma stands on its own as a completed qualification. If you wish to continue to a full PhD, you choose which partner university you progress to for Years 2 and 3 — the research and thesis phases of the doctorate — rather than being assigned one.
Choice of Institution
Brenkley Doctoral College maintains progression arrangements with a network of partner universities. You select the institution that best fits your research area, career goals, and circumstances.
Subject to Admission
Progression is via each university's own articulation process. Your Extended Advanced Diploma and Year 1 credits support your application, but acceptance is confirmed by the partner university's admissions process, not guaranteed automatically.
No Obligation to Progress
There is no requirement to continue. Many learners complete the Extended Advanced Diploma as a standalone qualification and career milestone in its own right.
Entry Requirements
What We Look For
Academic
Bachelor's degree at 2:1 or above, or equivalent. A postgraduate qualification is not required, though applicants with a Master's degree are welcome. Strong professional portfolios are considered alongside academic qualifications.
Professional
Relevant professional experience is valued but not strictly required at the level demanded by our doctoral programmes. The Extended Advanced Diploma is appropriate for earlier-career professionals as well as senior practitioners, and your internship placement can draw on your existing sector or a new one.
Research Statement
A short research statement of 500–800 words outlining your proposed research area, its significance, and your initial thoughts on methodology. This is discussed and developed at interview.
Start with Year 1 of the PhD
The Extended Advanced Diploma is a meaningful first step into research and practice. Apply today and begin the process of becoming a research-active professional — with a real qualification and an internship to show for it, whether or not you continue to the full doctorate.