Study for a higher degree by research in our Research Centre which undertakes world-class, multidisciplinary applied health and social care research that has real-world impact. 
Develop specialist research knowledge and skills
Complete an independent research programme
Acquire high-level transferable skills that will equip you for your future career

You’ll be based in the Applied Health and Social Care Research Centre. The impact of our research is recognised as internationally excellent in the recent Research Excellence Framework 2021. The research methods training and specialist research skills will equip you to undertake real-world applied research. You’ll receive supervision from a team of active researchers working within one of our research groups and will benefit from joining our vibrant Postgraduate research community.

You’ll be part of an active research community in the Applied Health and Social Care Research Centre (AHSRC), the Health Research Institute and the wider university. Our Research Centre vision is to deliver world leading applied research which impacts individuals, communities, populations and the health and social care workforce. We conduct applied health and social care research that addresses complex challenges and leads to improvements in people’s health and wellbeing through enhancements in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, care and service user experience. Our Centre researchers have extensive experience in patient, public and service user involvement, and in the co-design of research. In parallel, our research informs the development of the health and social care workforce, ensuring their roles are appropriate for the demands of an evolving health and social care sector. Much of our research is conducted in partnership with health and social care providers and industry, involving multidisciplinary collaborations across the university and with external national and international academic partners.

Your research will be closely aligned with one of the research groupings within the AHSRC. These are:

• Maternal, child and family health and social care
• Ageing and long term conditions
• Technology, data and digital innovations
• Health and social care organisation and workforce

There are multiple opportunities for you to be involved in a wide range of academic activities including teaching and knowledge exchange over the course of your programme, enabling you to further expand and enhance your knowledge and skills acquisition.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

As a postgraduate research student, you’ll follow an independent programme of study under the supervision of a team of leading academics with extensive experience of undertaking high quality research and academic scholarship.  Supervision principally takes places through regular meetings, either face to face or using remote communication, between doctoral researchers and their supervisory teams. Our policies and support structures ensure that supervision is of the highest quality.

 

You’ll have access to a wide range of training opportunities to help you work towards your research degree. This includes:

• A programme of university wide doctoral training sessions.  
• A programme of workshops and research support sessions delivered by the Health Research Institute postgraduate research team.
• Specialist research training and skills development relevant to your research project.
• A range of research seminar series provided within the Health Research Institute, Research Centres and across the university.
• Peer discussions and support as part of a postgraduate research community.
• Multiple opportunities to present your work at local, national and international conferences.
• Financial support to attend academic conferences, networking opportunities and training events.

Research degrees are a vital qualification for most academic and research careers. The research training and the high-level transferable skills you’ll acquire are highly desirable across all sectors and will be a valuable asset whatever your career.

 

Our postgraduate research programmes have prepared previous students for careers in

• health and social care education
• healthcare research
• clinical and professional leadership
• engagement in strategic organisations

All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).

All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.

Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.