PhD (by Dissertation) - Health, Psychology & Social Care (Research)

Course overview

This is the conventional route to gaining a PhD, where you are expected to create an original research proposal.

An advisory team supports you during your PhD study, providing regular feedback on your work and your progress.

Your research concludes with a thesis of approximately 80,000 words in length, which will be examined. You’ll be questioned on aspects of this work and you’ll have the opportunity to respond constructively in a viva voce exam.

Recent thesis topics include: triaging respiratory emergencies; the role of rehabilitation in improving short and long term outcomes for survivors of critical illness and dementia and cancer care.

Our research expertise across health and social care includes communication disability, developments in learning, teaching and professional practice, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Features and benefits

• You’ll create an original research proposal based on your work experience or interests.

• You can complete this route on a full-time (three years) or part-time (six years) basis, to fit with your work commitments.

• You’ll typically have a supervisory team, which includes a Director of Studies and either one or two additional supervisors.

• Research in our Faculty brings together internationally recognised and multidisciplinary researchers in six established Research Groups: Mental Health; Social and Cognitive Ageing; Global Perspectives, Marginalisation and Thriving Communities; Stress, Health and Performance; Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Communication Disability.

Typical units of study may include:
YEAR 1
Health and Social Care Policy
Some Psychology
Evidence-based Practice
A Critical Look at Research Methods
Change Management
Leadership and Communication
Projects, Proposals and Practice
Development