phd nursing programs uk

PhD/MPhil Nursing

Postgraduate research degree

Working closely with clinical partners from health and social care, world class researchers and experienced practitioners, this degree will extend your knowledge across the many and varied nursing fields, enhancing your future career prospects.

Research centres and groups

Key information, affiliations.

Our close links with Bart's Trust, UCL Partners and others has helped create research-active honorary clinical academic posts, ensuring research is undertaken under the supervision of internationally respected clinical experts.

Nursing Postgraduate research degrees PhD/MPhil course Overview

You can tailor your degree’s content to your own interests. It will involve primary research to enable you to make a unique and original contribution to the body of evidence that underpins nursing practice.

You may work in any one of the many different nursing fields including adult, children’s, mental health, older persons or acute and critical care nursing.

This will enable you to develop an expert knowledge base to conduct in-depth independent research. Your research will be embedded in your area of practice. It will work towards improving the outcomes of the patients, service users, clinicians or students you work with.

You will work closely with your supervisor and also benefit from our academic's in the School of Health & Psychological Sciences . Our expertise span a broad range of healthcare disciplines, methodological fields of expertise and professional areas.

You’ll be learning in a stimulating environment where researchers and students from diverse backgrounds research, learn and work together.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary by subject area. Applicants should approach academic staff working in their area of interest to discuss their proposal ahead of submitting an application. Applicants should normally hold an upper second class honours degree or the equivalent from an international institution. Where the applicant's academic profile shows no evidence of training in research methods, it will normally be recommended that students first complete an MSc or MRes programme. This is to prepare them for MPhil/PhD studies.

Substantial employment or research experience may be considered for some subject areas alongside or in place of academic qualifications.

MPhil/PhD by major thesis

The standard route involves the accepted candidate pursuing a research project under the guidance of their supervisors over a period of 3 years (full-time) or 4-6 years (part-time). Candidates register initially for an MPhil (which is a substantial and valid qualification in its own right), and following an Upgrade examination, transfer to the PhD programme.

PhD by publication

Prior publication: Candidates who have already published a series of significant research papers submit these together with an accompanying analytical commentary. This body of work must be principally the candidate's own work.

The number and range of publications must be sufficient to demonstrate that the work forms a coherent contribution to knowledge or scholarship. This typically involves around six papers.

The extended analytical commentary which draws together this previously published work into a single thesis, will expand on the candidate's involvement in each work, the skills developed and knowledge acquired in undertaking these works. This commentary is not normally expected to exceed 20,000 words.

Prospective publication: Candidates publish several (generally around four to six papers, dependent on their depth, quality, significance and impact) significant research papers addressing various aspects of their research topic during their period of PhD registration.

For full details about the City PhD programme structure, please see the Guide for Research Students .

Requirements

Entry requirements vary by subject area and applicants should approach academic staff working in their area of interest to discuss their proposal ahead of submitting an application. Applicants should normally hold an upper second class honours degree or the equivalent from an international institution. Where the applicant's academic profile shows no evidence of training in research methods, it will normally be recommended that students first complete an MSc or MRes programme to prepare them for MPhil/PhD studies.

English requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of at least 7 (with a minimum of 7.0 in writing) is required.

For more information see our main entry requirements page.

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area / Switzerland and you are coming to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months
• Students on courses of less than six months
• Students on a pre-sessional English language course.

For more information see our main Visa page .

Fees and funding

Full-time Home/UK: £5,500 per year

Part-time Home/UK: £2,750 per year

Full-time International: £14,500 per year

Part-time International: £7,250 per year

Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination.

Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration. Where applicable, fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each academic year of study commencing in September . Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study .

Support for PhD study

Prospective students are encouraged to explore doctoral Grants and funding opportunities such as:

• NIHR and MRC Fellowship schemes
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• Specialist scholarship schemes (such as those provided by Arthritis UK, Diabetes UK, and the British Heart Foundation)
• Research Council studentship awards , if available.

Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The Government has introduced a new Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme which can provide a loan of up to £25,000.

This will be over three years to support study for a doctoral degree.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. It can be used alongside any other forms of support you may be able to receive.

For more information, please see our Postgraduate Doctoral Loans page .

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees.  Find out more about additional expenses .

Academic support

City has a well-established structure and processes to support your research .

Supervision

MPhil/PhD students can become integral members of the School’s research teams based in their Research Centres, which assists students in completing their studies.

MPhil/PhD students are assigned to a team of supervisors from the Department of Nursing . This usually consists of two academics who are experts in the field of the student's study.

Students meet regularly with supervisors, reviewing their learning needs and planning work towards progression. Full time students will meet with their supervisors at least twice a term. Part time students will meet at least once a term.

Progress is monitored by an annual review. Here students have the opportunity to discuss their research design and written work with an advisor.

All students working towards a PhD (other than those undertaking doctoral study by prior publication or as a structured programme) initially register for MPhil studies. When their study has developed, they may apply to be upgraded to PhD student status which involves an oral examination.

Research students are supported by student representatives who meet with the student-staff liaison committee. Here they respond to any student concerns that cannot be addressed by supervisors.

All MPhil/PhD students can access a wide range of MSc modules and other training programmes across City, normally without charge.

Workshops, seminars and retreats are organised for students across the School and within particular areas.

Institution-wide research activities can also contribute to your development as a researcher. An annual programme of research and enterprise development activities is also run for students.

For more information, please see the visit the City Doctoral College .

How to apply

In the first, instance, we recommend that you visit the relevant School and Research Centre. Here you can read about our research and establish areas of specific staff interest. This will enable you to identify whether the School of Health & Psychological Sciences at City is the best place for your study.

Details of relevant academic staff can be found here .

Following this you need to submit a formal online application with a curriculum vitae and a 1-2 page proposal of study. This should include:

Background and rationale including other work in the area leading up to the PhD study.

Proposed methodology such as aims, design, participant groups, measures, analysis.

Potential outcomes of the research in terms of academic outputs (papers and presentations) and real world impact (e.g., its potential usefulness for teachers/ speech language therapists etc.).

We realise that at this stage you may not have a completely clear plan of study, and that the proposal is likely to change after you begin study. The proposal gives us an idea of your writing and organisational ability, motivation and rationale for the study and potential wider benefits.

See here for guidance on how to prepare your research proposal .

Please note that we will not consider incomplete applications.

Further information can be found here regarding the application process at City .

• Full-time 1 st Feb 2025
• Part-time 1 st Feb 2025
• 1 st Oct 2025
• 1 st Feb 2025

For further application enquiries please contact our PGR enquiries team .

Potential PhD projects

What influences nurses when they make career decisions.

This inquiry explores the career stories of nurses, to establish what influences their career decisions.

Research centre:

Academics: Professor Pam Parker and Professor Susannah Quinsee

Status: Completed project

View case study site

Find a supervisor

See our full list of academic staff and potential supervisors in Department of Nursing.

Dr Nicholas Drey

Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research

• Department of Nursing

Dr Sofia Llahana

Senior Lecturer in Advanced Nursing Practice

Useful links

• Doctoral College
• School of Health & Psychological Sciences
• Student wellbeing
• Terms and conditions

Contact details

Shps doctoral enquiries.

+44 (0) 20 7040 5972

[email protected]

• Schools & departments

Nursing Studies PhD, MScR

Awards: PhD, MScR

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Nursing Studies

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Research profile

Our Nursing Studies postgraduate students have an outstanding record of contributing to the knowledge and evidence base in nursing. The programme also has a strong tradition of welcoming students from overseas, as well as the UK.

Our main areas of research activity and development currently relate to the themes of experience of health and illness, and organisation and policy for person-centred care.

The main areas of study we can supervise for doctoral research are:

• critical care
• emotions and care
• mental health
• addictions and substance misuse
• public health
• community care and leadership
• pain management
• cancer care
• nursing education
• patient safety and quality issues

We have expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative and mixed methods research approaches.

You can find out more about MScR and PhD programme options on the School of Health in Social Science's website:

• MScR Nursing Studies
• PhD Nursing Studies

Read more about our research on our website:

Nursing Studies research

Programme structure

The MSc by Research in Nursing Studies provides students with an advanced understanding of research design, data collection and data analysis issues in nursing.

The programme is designed for qualified practitioners and graduates and enables students to develop their understanding of debates about research, evidence and practice in relation to nursing and related fields.

The distinctive features of this degree include:

• integration of generic social science and discipline-specific nursing studies research training and development;
• social science approaches to research training in nursing studies; and
• close links with other disciplines including medicine.

The PhD/MPhil programme allows you to conduct an independent research project that makes a significant contribution to your chosen field of study and to further develop your research skills. We are able to offer supervision in a variety of specialist areas.

Normal progression for PhD/MPhil in nursing involves spending the first year preparing for the main research work; taking research training courses, reviewing literature, and developing your research proposal.

Progression to year two of the programme is dependent on a satisfactory outcome from a review board. Typically, the second year is spent doing the body of the research, usually empirical data collection and analysis, and the third year is spent completing the analysis and writing the thesis.

You will be able to attend a wide range of postgraduate seminar courses from across the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. There is the opportunity to attend other courses in Nursing Studies as well as a wide range of postgraduate seminar courses within the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and related disciplines across the University.

Nursing studies PhD and MPhil students join a 50-year tradition of scholarship. Our students share courses with others from a wide variety of disciplines.

Those doing higher degrees by research usually undertake research training courses, as well as carrying out their own research. PhD students have two supervisors, one of whom may be from a different discipline relevant to your interests.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

The programme offers education and development for all those interested in developing research skills in the field of nursing. It is designed for qualified practitioners and for graduates (or equivalent) interested in research in the field.

The programme aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of research design, data collection and data analysis issues in nursing. Students will develop their understanding of debates about research, evidence and practice for nursing and related practices.

PhD by Distance option

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in the same areas as our on-campus programmes: Clinical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Health in Social Science and Nursing Studies.

The programme allows students who are unable to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh full time to study for a PhD in a field of Health in Social Science from their home country or city - however this is not intended to be a fully online distance learning programme.

Students enrolled on this programme will be expected to come to Edinburgh at least once per year of study to meet with their supervisors. The length and timing of these visits are negotiable but students should expect to spend at least two weeks at the University of Edinburgh during each year of study.

For further information on the programme (including entry requirements and how to apply) please see the school website:

• Health in Social Science PhD by Distance

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

MScR: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in nursing. We will also consider your application if your degree is in another subject area but you have a professional qualification in nursing or midwifery.

MPhil and PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree and a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents, in a relevant subject area. We may also consider your application if you do not have a masters degree, but have other professional qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT : 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

borrowing money

taking out a loan

family support

personal savings

income from work

employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• Postgraduate research scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5144
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Health in Social Science
• Medical School
• Teviot Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: Nursing Studies
• School: Health in Social Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD by Distance in Nursing Studies - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd by distance in nursing studies - 6 years (part-time), phd nursing studies - 3 years (full-time), phd nursing studies - 6 years (part-time), msc by research nursing - 1 year (full-time), msc by research nursing - 2 years (part-time), application deadlines.

The School of Health in Social Science operates a gathered field approach to PGR applications - this means that all complete applications which satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and an admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date.

The application deadlines and dates for decision are listed in the table. In order to ensure full consideration of your application, we ask that you submit your complete application including all supporting documentation by these dates. More information about what will be considered a complete application and how to apply can be found on our School website:

• School of Health in Social Science Postgraduate Research

Applicants planning to apply for the University of Edinburgh's funding opportunities must apply by the first deadline.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

To apply for this programme you must submit the following:

• a completed research proposal form
• 2 references
• the online application form, completed via the ‘Apply’ section above

For guidance on completing the research proposal form, please see the research proposal guidance document provided by the School of Health in Social Science:

• Research proposal guidance

Before submitting the application, we strongly recommend that you discuss a draft version of your research proposal form with your proposed supervisor and/or with the Programme Director. Please indicate your proposed supervisor when submitting your application. Please read the ‘Discuss and develop your idea’ section in the research proposal guidance document for more information.

Your reference must be specific to your application, on headed paper, signed by the referee, and dated within the last 6 months. Your reference can be uploaded directly by your referee, or you can upload it yourself.

• Guidance on uploading a reference to the Applicant Hub

We must receive all the information before the deadline for your application to be considered.

If your online application is not ‘complete’ by the application deadline it will be rejected. If this happens, you can submit another application for a later application deadline.

After you apply, we will evaluate your application. If we are able to progress your application beyond the online stage, you will be invited to participate in an interview with your prospective first supervisor.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Nursing PhD / MSc (Res)

Start date Research degrees may start at any time of the year

Duration PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time, MSc by Research: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Award Doctorate / MSc by Research

Entry requirements 2:1 Honours degree in a subject relevant to the research area you applying to. Full requirements

Fees £4,921 (full-time), £2,461 (part-time) Fee details

Page contents

Course overview.

Preparing the nurse leaders of tomorrow with the skills and expertise necessary to advance the science and practice of nursing, with the aim of improving patient-centred care in a constantly changing healthcare environment.

Work alongside leading researchers to produce research that advances nursing science and contributes to the advancement of high quality evidence-based care.

Course structure

This PhD programme can be undertaken full-time (minimum 36 months) or part-time (minimum 72 months). Applications are accepted all year round and there is flexibility on the start date with the largest intakes normally in October and April. Following completion of your minimum period of study, you’ll normally transfer to a thesis-awaited status (maximum 12 months). To successfully progress into each year you’ll need to pass an Annual Progress Review (APR).

You’ll be required to submit a progress review form plus a project report based on the first year of research. You’ll also be asked to review your Development Needs Analysis form. The APR meeting will take place with two academics, with one being an internal expert.

Course highlights

Work closely with your supervisory team who will help you clarify your project and support your development. Your thesis will represent an original contribution to knowledge and demonstrate independent judgement.

By studying this programme you’ll become part of the Graduate School within the College of Medicine and Health giving you access to:

• Supervision from leading academics to support you through your research programme including research techniques and training.
• Training and development courses to enable you to gain research and transferable training skills.
• Opportunities to attend and take part in Research Poster festivals and other postgraduate activities to boost your academic and networking skills.
• An allocated academic mentor so you can access pastoral support.• State-of-the art facilities to support a range of teaching, learning and research activity with access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.

Postgraduate Research degrees within the College of Medicine and Health are vital to making a meaningful contribution to world-leading developments, expansions and improvements to medical research.

As one of our Postgraduate Research students within College of Medicine and Health, you'll be part of a research community which includes around 600 research students from all over the world.

You’ll become part of the wider University of Birmingham postgraduate research community located at Westmere House where you have access to training and skills development, careers and employability advice, wellbeing and counselling services as well as welcome activities and events.

Course delivery

As a postgraduate research student, we'll support your development in a variety of ways.

• Supervision – you’ll benefit from support and guidance from a supervisor related to your research area.
• Research support - access to dedicated write up rooms, libraries, and computer facilities.
• Publishing works – build your reputation and make your research public, by working with your supervisors to publish articles.

Research projects

At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded although scholarships are available.

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

Entry requirements

In a subject relevant to the research area you applying to.

International students can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

• • by holding an English language qualification to the right level
• • by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Please note IELTS requirements for Postgraduate Research programmes in the College of Medicine and Health are 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.

Fees and scholarships

Full-time. Fee to be confirmed

Part-time. Fee to be confirmed

Funding options

Apply for a phd that already has funding attached.

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Application process

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Career opportunities

A PhD is the highest level of academic achievement available and vital for the continued professional development of scientists.

Completing a PhD at Birmingham will extend your knowledge base in your chosen subject, as well as enhancing your problem solving and analytical, communication and teaching, and leadership and management skills – all of which are valued across the academic and private sectors. It’ll also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network of peers, collaborators and colleagues to support your onward career.

Many of our postgraduate research students go onto roles such as Research fellow/postdoctoral researcher, medical writer, scientist/research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trial coordinator.

Employers include the NHS Trusts, Cancer Research UK, pharma and biotech companies (including AstraZeneca, Covance, Binding Site, Immunocore, Johnson and Johnson), Medical Communications agencies (e.g. Fishawack, Insight Medical Writing), the Armed Forces and the University of Birmingham.

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Tackle the biggest challenges in biology, medicine and health in a world leading research environment, and prepare for your future career.

Attend an open day

PhD Nursing (4 years) / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

• View full page
• An honours degree (minimum Upper Second (2:1)) or the overseas equivalent in a relevant subject
• AND a very good MSc/MPhil/MRes degree from a recognised institution
• OR satisfactory work at postgraduate level (which must include some research training) undertaken for the equivalent of at least one year full-time.

NB In exceptional circumstances, we may consider an application from a student without both an undergraduate and post-graduate degree. For example, if they have a first/distinction and research experience. 

The four-year programme is strongly recommended for anyone who:

• has not studied in the UK before;
• has not completed specific research methods training at master's level and received 'very good' grades;
• has not completed a research dissertation at master's level and received 'very good' grades;
• has not scored at least 6.5 in all areas of the IELTS (or equivalent) if English is not their first language.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Before applying you must:

• Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
• Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
• Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
• Read our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Undertake research in a field you’re passionate about and join a project addressing leading challenges in the area while working with some of Europe's leading researchers and academics.
• Choose to research at a university ranked and 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (THE Impact Rankings, 2024), where 93% of research activity is ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Impact Framework, 2021)
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at the University, through our industry partners, and at hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Benefit from dedicated support throughout your PhD journey, from pre-application to graduation and everything in between, through our Doctoral Academy
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme and progress into a career in research, academia or industry.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500
• PhD (full-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

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Nursing Studies PhD

• Full-time: 3 to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years
• Start date: September 2025
• UK fees: £5,350
• International fees: £23,000

Research overview

Our research has a truly international outlook and wide-ranging impacts on society, the economy, health and welfare, culture, public policy and the environment.

The School of Health Sciences commands a reputation for world-leading research and education, 96% of the School’s research was ranked as internationally excellent or world leading (REF 2021), with Times Higher Education ranking us joint 4th for research quality. The QS World University Rankings (2022) ranked the SoHS 25th in the world for nursing and 4th in the UK.

A PhD in Nursing Studies allows you to extend your body of knowledge about nursing as you become a successful independent researcher within this field of study.

Our research is carried out in collaboration with clinical partners, global research centres and healthcare organisations. We have a dedicated Centre for Evidence Based Healthcare that works with our research groups and healthcare partners to provide methodological input, evidence synthesis and training.

We welcome all applications that strengthen the work of our research groups. Prior to submitting an application, please identify and contact a relevant supervisor. Full details of our PGR supervisors can be found here: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/healthsciences/postgraduate/research-supervisors.aspx

Applications are welcomed from enthusiastic, talented and highly motivated individuals with a passion for research and for using research to make a difference. We are happy to support applications for competitive peer reviewed PhD fellowships e.g. NIHR, Wellcome Trust, Charitably funded etc 

Applications are welcomed from enthusiastic, talented and highly motivated individuals with a passion for research and for using research to make a difference.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Claire Diver, Director of Postgraduate Research.

Course content

You will develop and conduct an original and independent research project, with supervision and support from our research experts. Skills you'll learn include:

• Knowledge and research skills
• Personal effectiveness skills
• Research governance skills
• Knowledge exchange skills

There is no compulsory requirement to undertake modules of study. However, your supervsiory team will work with you to identify any that are relevant to you. These included advanced specialist and foundation research methods modules that include but are not restricted to:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/esrc-dtc/training/at-module-details.aspx

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

We only accept applications for PhD that are aligned with our research groups . We strongly recommend consulting with a supervisory academic from the appropriate research group to ensure your proposal is relevant for their programme of work, and that they have supervisory capacity. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Claire Diver, Director of Postgraduate Research

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your personal budget, including any running costs for your project such as printing or equipment, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

The school contributes to some costs relating to conference/course attendance and some research consumables. The full cost of your course will vary depending on the nature of your research project, for example there may be additional costs for projects which require specific equipment or travel and you’ll need to have sourced funds for this.

For UK students, there are numerous funding opportunities from:

• National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
• Government research councils (such as the Economic and Social Research Council or Medical Research Council )
• Healthcare charities or foundations

Many of our international students seek funding support from governmental agencies or academic institutions. Find out more about our international scholarships .

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

The School of Health Sciences offers an extensive research seminar programme open to staff and students. In addition, we run regular doctoral events that are accessible to part-time students or those studying or working off campus.

The University and school also provide a wide range of funding opportunities for research networking activities, conference attendance and internships.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• socialising
• computer work
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Medical school – queen's medical centre.

Our Medical School is based in Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK’s largest hospitals.

There are dedicated clinical skills facilities including a dissection suite and teaching laboratories for medicine and healthcare students.

The hospital is located opposite  University Park Campus  and connected by a footbridge for easy access. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for:

• NHS trusts (such as clinical specialists, advanced practitioners, modern matrons)
• Universities (such as lecturers and senior academics, lecturer practitioners, clinical academics and researchers)
• Private practices

100% of postgraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology.

Related courses

Physiotherapy phd, midwifery phd, health studies phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 20 November 2024 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.