Doctorate study
The School of Healthcare offers two research degrees, PhD and the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care.
The School became a centre for registering postgraduate research students in 2000 and added the professional doctorate research degree (DHSC) in 2010. We currently have over 40 students enrolled in research degrees in the School. An annual studentship competition is offered to PhD students; and for professional doctorate students from the Yorkshire area, support is available through the Strategic Health Authority.
Research Culture
The School of Healthcare has a vibrant postgraduate research culture and excellent facilities for research students. We can offer a broad range of research expertise to postgraduate students from a variety of professional backgrounds including nursing and midwifery, counselling/psychotherapy, social work, pharmacy, audiology, and radiography.
We carry out research in the following key areas: cardiovascular care, decision making, medicines management, mental health, pain management and wound management.
Active collaboration
We are active in collaborating with other Departments in the University and many of our postgraduate students are supervised jointly by academics from other departments, including Psychiatry, Psychology, Sociology & Social Policy, Centre for Research in Primary Care, Clinical Trials Unit, Medical Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Education and Religious Studies.
'World leading research'
The School scored highly in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, with the majority of the School's research in Nursing and Midwifery classed as 'world-leading' and 'internationally excellent' in terms of originality, significance and rigour. We work closely with other Schools and Institutes in the University, with other universities and with NHS Trusts in the city and surrounding region.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a PhD and the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC)?
Both the PhD and the DHSC are research degrees approved by the graduate research board of the University of Leeds. The awards are equivalent in terms of rigor and merit, and require the student to conduct original research which is supervised and assessed by the research team at the school. You can study both programs either full or part time.
The main difference between the degrees is how study is structured to meet the needs of the student. The DHSC programme is tailored to the needs of professionals in practice and interested in researching issues that affect practice and inform policy making. The school offers a series of compulsory and optional modules that support the development of skills in research, leadership, practice and the environment of practice, during which the student will be supervised to develop their research proposal and subsequently conduct research in practice. Assessment is based on successful completion of the modules and a research thesis.
The PhD programme is structured around the needs of the student interested in undertaking academic study through the time honoured process of working closely with researchers that share their interests in topic areas or research methods. The university provides free courses to research students in library and database skills, generic academic skills, such as presenting research and applying for funding, and use of software. Students have free access to undergraduate and Master's level modules in the school as well as Master's level modules in the School of Psychology (subject to agreement within an individual training plan). Assessment is based on the successful completion of a research thesis.
What support is there for students undertaking a research degree?
The School provides opportunity for postgraduate research students to attend the school's integrated seminar series, and research students are encouraged to present their work on at least 3 occasions over the course of their studies, including at the School’s annual research student conference. Research students are encouraged to learn from each other through formal and informal study sessions, and from the research team at the school through individual and group supervision.
How long does it take to complete a PhD degree?
The standard periods of study are 3 years (full-time) and 5 years (part-time). For full-time students there is a 4th year of overtime period; for part-time students years 6 & 7 are the overtime period. Students are expected to complete within the standard period of study: overtime is by agreement under special circumstances.
Other qualifications: MPhil: Two years full time or 4 years part time.
MSc (by research): 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
How do I find out more about undertaking a PhD?
For informal enquiries please contact the Postgraduate Research Tutor Professor Dawn Dowding, 0113 343 1199, email d.dowding@leeds.ac.uk.
How long does it take to complete a Professional Doctorate (DHSC) degree?
The standard periods of study are 3 years (full-time) and 5 years (part-time). For full-time students there is a 4th year of overtime period; for part-time students years 6 & 7 are the overtime period. As for PhD, students are expected to complete within the standard period of study and overtime is only by agreement under special circumstances.
How do I find out more about undertaking a DHSC
The programme lead and contact for the DHSC is Dr Greg Nolan, 0113 3439431, email g.nolan@leeds.ac.uk. Follow this link for a more complete description of the programme.
What training is available to students?
The university provides free courses to research students in library and database skills, generic academic skills, such as presenting research and applying for funding, and use of software. Students have free access to any undergraduate and Master's level modules in the school as well as Master's level modules in the School of Psychology. Students can use their training budget to access modules that form part of the PG certificate in Health Research.
When can I start?
All post graduate students will normally begin their studies in September at the beginning of the academic year. We are currently accepting applications from students to start in September 2012.
Do I need to move to Leeds to study?
Part-time students need not live in Leeds but are expected to travel here for supervision meetings (at least 5 times per year). Full-time students are expected to be within easy commuting distance of the university and attend the university at least 3 days per week.
See sidebar for fees, funding and how to apply
