School of Public Health Studies

PhD Postgraduate research in Health

PhD Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

At the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW), we offer expert supervision for PhD research across areas such as special needs and inclusion, leadership and management, professional development, and early years education.

At the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW), we offer expert supervision for PhD research across areas such as special needs and inclusion, leadership and management, professional development, and early years education.

Award
PhD
Start date(s)
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: Walsall Campus,University: City Campus
School
School of Public Health Studies
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

We offer supervision for PhD research in a range of health areas. The team has experience of full time, part time, mature professionals and overseas students.

The Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW) supports the research ambitions of over 240 doctoral students across Education, Health, Social Work and Social Care, Sport and Psychology. Our research community is diverse and dynamic. We work with local, regional and international students from across the world on a very diverse range of research fields.

What's unique about this course?

  • Expert Supervision in Diverse Areas
    Supervision is available across a wide range of fields, including special needs and inclusion, leadership and management, professional development, teaching and learning, and early years education.

  • Experienced and Inclusive Support
    The program caters to full-time, part-time, mature professionals, and international students, offering tailored guidance to suit varied needs.

  • Dynamic and Diverse Research Community
    Hosted by the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW), the program supports over 240 doctoral students, creating a vibrant, collaborative environment for knowledge sharing.

  • Interdisciplinary Opportunities
    With research spanning Education, Health, Social Work, Sport, and Psychology, students can engage in innovative interdisciplinary studies.

  • Global Reach
    The program welcomes local, regional, and international students, fostering a global perspective in research and collaboration.

  • Comprehensive Research Infrastructure
    Access to a supportive research environment, including seminars, workshops, and resources, to enhance the doctoral experience.

  • Flexible Study Options
    Designed to accommodate diverse lifestyles, the program offers both full-time and part-time study paths, ensuring accessibility for all candidates.

What happens on the course?

Many of our research supervisors have internationally recognised expertise in a range of research methodologies and frequently work across subject areas so, for example, research supervision can take place around the intersections of Education and Health and Sport and Psychology. We support students with a vibrant seminar and workshop calendar of events and sits within a and broader university research.

Director of Doctoral Studies and Research Fellowships 

Hilary looking at camera with hands under chin

“Since I took up the position of Head of Doctoral Studies my role has been to build an overarching and vibrant research community that unites and provides a supportive environment and a sense of belonging within the Faculty for all our PhD, Professional Doctorate and MPhil students from all disciplines and at all stages in their research journey.

I am a nurse by background and throughout my career I have never lost my passion for finding opportunities to make a difference to people’s lives.  I have extensive experience in primary care research, consultation, and evaluation of practice and my research proficiency lies in qualitative research methods and design, particularly the use of discourse analysis in uncovering the narrative understanding of general practice and how it happens. My research interests however are wide ranging and interlinked with a focus on empowerment, ‘voice’ and the well-being of individuals.”

Research interests:

  • Research in primary care
  • Research in women’s health
  • Research in general practice

Hilary Paniagua, Director of Doctoral Studies and Research Fellowships

Award Leader of the Professional Doctorate in Health

David smiling at camera

David Matheson is a highly experienced researcher and educator in healthcare and medical education with proven experience in course development, leadership as well as academic supervision and external examining at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. David was Deputy Lead and then Acting Lead for the Caring for Lifelong Health Research Centre. To date, he has over 50 peer-reviewed academic publications in education, healthcare and medical education and 14 successful doctoral completions. He is currently supervising 16 doctoral students and is the Postgraduate Research Tutor for all doctoral students researching health-related topics in the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, managing the admissions process for PhD applicants across health. He also delivers front-line pastoral care & support to doctoral students and supports academic colleagues who supervise doctoral students.

David leads the thesis module for the Professional Doctorate in Health and Wellbeing and several modules in the Leading Education and Assessing Performance programme of senior medical and surgical faculty development for Health Education England West Midland. David also contributes to undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD modules for both Advanced Nurse Practitioners and other Allied Healthcare Professionals.

David has edited seminal academic books and was section editor and now member of the editorial board for the Springer Handbook for Promoting Social Justice in Education. He is also a member of the editorial board of BMC Medical Education. David is a member of the Support and Influencing Committee for Prostate Cancer UK and a patient advocate for Prostate Cancer Research and a patient representative for the Trial Management Group of STAMPEDE, one of largest trials of novel prostate cancer therapies in the world. He is a patient researcher on the STOPCaP project, contributing to meta-analyses of prostate cancer studies.

 

Potential Career Paths

Conduct advanced research in public health, clinical health, or epidemiology.

Oversee clinical trials and research studies in healthcare organisations.

 Create content for research publications, grant applications, or health education.

Ensure workplace environments promote employee health and safety.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • Special needs and inclusion
  • Leadership and management
  • Practitioner research
  • Professional development
  • Teaching and learning
  • Early years education
  • Full-time and part-time study pathways available
  • Tailored support for mature professionals and international students
  • Supervision provided by experts with extensive knowledge in various research methodologies and interdisciplinary areas
  • Over 240 doctoral students across fields such as Education, Health, Social Work, Sport, and Psychology
  • Opportunities for collaboration with peers and professionals in a dynamic academic environment
  • Local, regional, and international students contribute to a culturally rich and globally informed research perspective
  • Access to seminars, workshops, and a broader university research infrastructure to enhance academic and professional development
  • Research at the intersections of diverse disciplines, encouraging innovative approaches to complex challenges

  • Advanced Research Expertise
    Develop a deep understanding of advanced research methodologies and techniques relevant to health-related fields, enabling you to conduct independent, high-quality research.

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
    Gain the ability to work across disciplines such as Education, Health, Social Work, Sport, and Psychology, fostering innovative approaches to complex health issues.

  • Global and Cultural Awareness
    Enhance your capacity to engage with diverse perspectives and collaborate with local, regional, and international researchers to address global health challenges.

  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
    Cultivate the skills to critically analyse complex health problems, design effective studies, and develop evidence-based solutions.
  • Professional Communication
    Strengthen your ability to articulate research findings effectively through academic writing, presentations, and contributions to public and policy discourse.
  • Leadership in Research
    Build leadership capabilities to supervise research projects, mentor others, and contribute meaningfully to the academic and professional health community.
  • Ethical Research Practice
    Demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical research practices, ensuring integrity and respect for diverse populations and research contexts.
  • Contribution to Knowledge
    Produce original research that advances knowledge in your chosen area of health, influencing future studies, education, policy, and practice.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £4596 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £4712 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £4786 per year 2024-25
Home Full-time £ per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £2298 per year 2022-23
Home Part-time £2356 per year 2023-24
Home Part-time £2393 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £ per year 2025-26
International Full-time £14450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £15450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15950 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £ per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

 Applicants for a research degree shall normally hold either:

 • a first or upper second class honours degree, or

 • a master’s degree, or

 • evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the Dean of Research.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English at least to the level of an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no individual element less than 6.0. The only exemption to this is for students who are not required to do so as per UKVI regulations: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english. 

 

Financial support for research study:

Before applying, you should consider carefully how you will finance your studies for the duration of your programme, including tuition fees, research support fees and living costs.


Government loans (Home Fee Status):

Government loans are available for postgraduate research students of up to £28,673, to cover fees and living expenses. More information can be found at Doctoral-loans website.


Studying in the UK:Guidance for EU students

For 2021/22 new entrants, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fee status and financial support from Student Finance England.


Self-funded:

We are able to take payments in instalments, to spread out the cost of your studies, and it is possible to switch between full-time and part-time modes of study. For more information go to How to pay.


Postgraduate Research Loyalty Discount:

To students progressing from an undergraduate programme and/or a taught postgraduate programme to a postgraduate research programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree and/or Masters level qualification, as long as the new award is at a higher level.

For full terms and conditions please see: Loyalty Discount for Postgraduate Research Students


Research councils:

The UK Research and Innovation funds postgraduate study in all subject areas on a discretionary basis.


University Research Studentships:

The University offers a very limited number of research stipends, formerly known as bursaries, to research students. Stipends are designed to support specific projects as determined by the Research Institute rather than individual student-led projects. Funds are accessible from the relevant Research Institute or Centre - please contact them directly.


Other sources:

Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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