Departmental programme(s)

As a research student in the Department, you'll be joining a community of academics working to deliver high quality, impact-focused research that informs health and healthcare policy and influences practice.

Please see the research degree programmes webpage for more information.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 

A full-time PhD programme should be completed by the end of your normal period of  enrolment, typically three years (some programmes have a four-year normal period of enrolment). Research projects should, at the outset, be designed to be capable of completion (including submission of the thesis) within that time, and the timetable for the conduct of research should reflect this. (Full-time three-year PhD programmes have an  additional year for the submission of the thesis referred to as the continuation period but postgraduate researchers should not embark on a PhD programme expecting to avail themselves of this). 

The PhD thesis should make an original contribution to knowledge, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship of the chosen topic to its general field of learning. As part of your final assessment, you will undergo an oral examination which will give you the opportunity to explain and justify your research to experts in your field. 

The aim of the PhD in Health Sciences is to train students in the theory and practice of health services research to a standard that establishes them as potential leading researchers and capable of making an original contribution to the evidence base for health and healthcare. 

The Department recognises the broad range of health services research through quantitative, evaluative, experimental and qualitative approaches. The common aim of the programme is to promote high quality and rigorous research. We expect graduates to display critical understanding of a range of methodological and disciplinary perspectives within their final thesis.

Please refer to the programme learning outcomes and descriptor of award for PhD and EngD for a full overview of the award expectations.

Word Count: Candidates should expect to submit a thesis of 70,000-100,000 words (including references but excluding appendices)