Health - PhD
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.
The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in health or social care.
- Level Postgraduate Research
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time/Distance Learning
- Award PhD
- Start date September 2026, February 2027, May 2027
- Fees View course fees
- Subjects
- Location City South
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in health or social care.
- A PhD programme includes allocation to a bespoke supervisory team to advise and guide each student through all aspects of their study. In addition, each student has access to a wide range of learning opportunities within the Graduate School and the University as a whole.
- Our research degrees are not taught courses. Each student's research degree programme is personalised to match their interests to the research priorities, staff expertise and research facilities available.
- You will have access to dedicated research facilities and will be encouraged to publish in collaboration with your supervisors and to take part in research conferences.
HowÌýisÌýthisÌýcourse taught?
Our research degrees are not taught courses. Each student's research degree programme is personalised to match their interests to the research priorities, staff expertise and research facilities available.
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Please contact Doctoral Research College team on:ÌýResearch.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk
Open Day
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 21 November 2026
Course in Depth
__HowÌýisÌýthisÌýcourse taught?
Our research degrees are not taught courses. Each student's research degree programme is personalised to match their interests to the research priorities, staff expertise and research facilities available.
Who will teach me?
Our experienced academics, many of whom are engaged in internationally recognised research, will provide you with supervision as you pursue the award of a PhD degree.
Research Interests
Research InterestsÌý
Research in health-related practice in our Faculty is led by the Centre for Social Care, Health and Related Research (C-SCHaRR).
There are four designated clusters within the C-SCHaRR centre representing cross-cutting research themes of relevance for more than one area of professional practice:
- Knowledge2CareÌý–concerned with knowledge mobilisation, co-creation, patient and public involvement and engagement, implementation science (all DHealth students benefit from insights from this cluster, as its researchers lead on the Critical Perspectives 2 module)
- Family, Gender & HealthÌý–gender and health; children and young people’s health; family and health experiences
- Person-Centred AgeingÌý-research to support and improve quality of life for older people and those with dementia; work with and on all settings including community, hospital, care homes, prisons.
- The Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births CentreÌý– a partnership with the Multiple Births Foundation (MBF) which carries out research on all aspects of multiple births.
Here are some examples of current or recent work that has significance for health practice, undertaken by researchers in C-SCHaRR:Ìý
- MR imaging to predict neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infantsÌý(Prof Merryl Harvey)
- Communicating endometriosis: health professionals’ experiencesÌý(Dr Annalise Weckesser)
- Eczema mindlinesÌý(Prof Fiona Cowdell)
- Enhancing dementia care and support in prison populationsÌý(Prof Joanne Rybacka-Brooke)
- Investigating burnout in nursing-home nursesÌý(Catharine Jenkins)
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £5,238 in 2026/27
- Part Time
- 4-7 years
- £2,619 in 2026/27
Award: PhD
Starting: Feb 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £5,238 in 2026/27
- Part Time
- 4-7 years
- £2,619 in 2026/27
Award: PhD
Starting: May 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £5,238 in 2026/27
- Part Time
- 4-7 years
- £2,619 in 2026/27
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £15,420 in 2026/27
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 years
- £9,640 in 2026/27
Award: PhD
Starting: Feb 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £15,420 in 2026/27
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 years
- £9,640 in 2026/27
Award: PhD
Starting: May 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 years
- £15,420 in 2026/27
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 years
- £9,640 in 2026/27
If you’re unable to use our online application form for any reason, please get in touch.
You must complete a research proposal and upload this as part of your application. Please note that we will not be able to process your application without having received your research proposal.
Entry Requirements
Applications for research degrees are assessed on the following criteria:
- that the proposed research seems likely to satisfy the academic requirements of a research degree;
- that the proposed research is feasible in practical terms;
- that you seem likely to be able to cope with the academic demands of a research degree;
- that the Faculty is able to provide the appropriate supervisory expertise and resources
- PhD applicants will normally be expected to hold a Master's degree in a relevant area
Once assessed, you will be either invited to a formal enrolment interview or asked to revise your application and resubmit it.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
Doctoral level qualifications are increasingly recognised in clinical and health related career pathways. If you are a practitioner, you might move into a research –focused role in your practice setting, including managing research programmes; lead on mobilising knowledge into practice; or build on your experience to promote improvements in practice. Many of our PhD Health graduates have secured jobs in Higher Education, in research and/or teaching-focused roles.
Facilities & Staff
Our PGR Hubs are designed to be a base for you throughout your postgraduate degree. These spaces are designed to support you to research, study, collaborate and network, as well as grab a well-earned cup of tea whenever you need!
Our PGR Hub at City South Campus has been recently refurbished to provide optimised facilities for PGR students. It is located in room SCT237 in the Seacole Building, where you’ll find:
- Bookable PGR hot desks: 22 networked workstations, allowing you to connect your laptop, two desktop PCs and two accessible/standing desks
- Kitchenette area with fridge and microwave, and teabags, coffee and sugar available to the PGR community courtesy of the Research Office
- PGR social and collaboration space
- Day-use lockers
- Meeting rooms with movable acoustic screens
- Two 2-4 person acoustically secure meeting pods.
Our staff
Dr Kate Thomson
Associate Professor
Dr Kate Thomson is Director of Postgraduate Research Degrees for Health and leads on all aspects of recruitment, oversight and student experience for PhD (Health). She is also a member of the Public Health & Therapies department. Kate completed her postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham with a PhD on learning disability...
More about Kate