School of Health and Society

PhD Postgraduate Research in Social Work and Social Care

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

We invite PhD researchers to explore diverse topics in social work and social care, including child protection, adult safeguarding, mental health, disability studies, social justice, and professional practice innovation.

We invite PhD researchers to explore diverse topics in social work and social care, including child protection, adult safeguarding, mental health, disability studies, social justice, and professional practice innovation.

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

Why choose this course?

We offer supervision for PhD research in a range of areas relating to Social Work and Social Care. 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.

Our expert supervisors foster a dynamic community of academics, professionals, and international scholars.

What's unique about this course?

  • Diverse Research Opportunities
  • Expert Supervision
  • Vibrant Research Community
  • Practical Impact
  • Interdisciplinary Approach
  • Global Perspective
  • Flexible Learning Options
  • Access to Resources
  • Professional Development
  • Societal Contribution

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 community where a very wide range of activity and support takes place.

PhD studies are typically conducted by completing a research thesis full-time (usually in three years) or part-time (usually six years). PhDs are theoretical research projects seeking to advance knowledge or understanding of a subject to inform further research, education and policy. They can cover a wide range of subjects – learn more by watching our research videos.

Lead - Health and Wellbeing

David Matheson looking at camera and smiling

Dr David Matheson is Reader in Education for Health at the University of Wolverhampton.

David 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.

Director of Postgraduate Research

Hilary Paniagua looking at camera and smiling

Dr Hilary Paniagua worked previously as an advanced practitioner (ANP) in women’s health before she pursued a career in academia and ultimately became a researcher and author. Her career interest focuses on issues concerning the narrative understanding of general practice and how it happens. As the editor of The Journal of Health and Social Care and member of two nursing journal editorial boards she has written extensively on issues relating to advanced practice nursing, primary care, law and research. Her book Practice Made Perfect: Higher Aspirations for Practice Nurses, Quay Books, embraces challenges specific to UK advanced nursing practice in six brief chapters. Previous teaching experience includes leading on Masters ANP programmes in primary care, and being instrumental in setting up the first Physicians Assistant programme in Britain. Hilary is currently chair of the research ethics committee within the Faculty of Health in Wolverhampton University and she is chair of the Black Country NHS Research Ethics Committee.She received her doctorate in Swansea University in (2009).

Research interests

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

 

Potential Career Paths

Teaching social work and social care

Designing, developing, and implementing strategies to measure the effectiveness of programs and services.

Identify community needs with the input of community members and stakeholders.

Liaising with medical practitioners, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals, as well as patients.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

1. Diverse Research Areas

  • PhD supervision is available in various topics related to Social Work and Social Care, providing flexibility for students to explore their specific areas of interest.

2. Flexible Study Options

  • The program accommodates full-time, part-time, mature professionals, and international students, offering flexibility in how students complete their research (typically full-time in three years or part-time in six years).

3. Expert Supervision

  • Students benefit from supervision by a team of experts with internationally recognized expertise in diverse research methodologies, ensuring high-quality academic guidance.

4. Interdisciplinary Approach

  • Research supervision is often interdisciplinary, with opportunities to explore intersections between Social Work, Education, Health, Sport, and Psychology, enhancing the breadth of research.

5. Dynamic Research Community

  • The Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (FEHW) supports over 240 doctoral students across various disciplines, fostering a collaborative and diverse research environment.

6. Global Collaboration

  • The program works with local, regional, and international students, promoting a global perspective and international research connections.

7. Comprehensive Support and Resources

  • Students have access to a vibrant seminar and workshop calendar, as well as a broader university research community, providing ample opportunities for networking, learning, and professional development.

8. Theoretical Research Focus

  • The PhD is focused on theoretical research projects that aim to advance knowledge and understanding in Social Work and Social Care, influencing future research, education, and policy.v

  • Become a leading expert in your chosen area of social work/care
  • Qualify for academic teaching and research positions
  • Enhance credibility as a consultant or practice leader
  • Development of advanced research and analytical skills
  • Contribute new knowledge to address complex social challenges
  • Influence policy and practice through evidence-based research
  • Deep engagement with current issues affecting vulnerable populations
  • Ability to shape future directions in social work practice
  • Develop advanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • Build expertise in research methodologies

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. 

 

Our students

Hear from Opeyemi Odejimi about her research in service users and carers and what they're brining into university as a whole.

 

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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