Examination of student experiences of an independent negotiated study approach to individual learning on a Professional Doctorate Programme

Increased demand and participation in Professional Doctorate programmes in recent years could reasonably be argued as evidence of a need for less traditional routes to academic learning. Partly in recognition of individualistic learning needs of Professional Doctoral students at a post-1992 institution, an Independent Negotiated Study (INS) module was developed as a component of the Professional Doctorate framework. The inclusion of this module within the programme architecture was also recognition of the opportunity to offer students a level of intellectual input to capture their individual professional experience and learning.