PHD Health and Social Care

Study Mode Full-time
Year of Entry 2024/25
Two health and social care colleagues stand over a patient laid on a bed with an ultrasound device placed on their stomach within a clinical room, in the foreground a laptop is visible with the ultrasound imaging displayed.

PHD

Health and Social Care

Study for a higher degree by research in our Research Centre which undertakes world-class, multidisciplinary applied health and social care research that has real-world impact. 

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: See fees section below
    International/EU: £17,205 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    4 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    October 2024
    February 2025
    May 2025


Course summary

  • Develop specialist research knowledge and skills
  • Complete an independent research programme
  • Acquire high-level transferable skills that will equip you for your future career

You’ll be based in the Applied Health and Social Care Research Centre. The impact of our research is recognised as internationally excellent in the recent Research Excellence Framework 2021. The research methods training and specialist research skills will equip you to undertake real-world applied research. You’ll receive supervision from a team of active researchers working within one of our research groups and will benefit from joining our vibrant Postgraduate research community.


How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

As a postgraduate research student, you’ll follow an independent programme of study under the supervision of a team of leading academics with extensive experience of undertaking high quality research and academic scholarship.  Supervision principally takes places through regular meetings, either face to face or using remote communication, between doctoral researchers and their supervisory teams. Our policies and support structures ensure that supervision is of the highest quality.

 

You’ll have access to a wide range of training opportunities to help you work towards your research degree. This includes:

  • A programme of university wide doctoral training sessions.  
  • A programme of workshops and research support sessions delivered by the Health Research Institute postgraduate research team.
  • Specialist research training and skills development relevant to your research project.
  • A range of research seminar series provided within the Health Research Institute, Research Centres and across the university.
  • Peer discussions and support as part of a postgraduate research community.
  • Multiple opportunities to present your work at local, national and international conferences.
  • Financial support to attend academic conferences, networking opportunities and training events.

Course leaders and tutors

Sionnadh McLean
Sionnadh McLean
Reader In Physiotherapy

Sionnadh is a Reader in Physiotherapy in the Allied Health Professions Department. She is the MSc Manual Therapy course leader, and teaches across the physiotherapy … Read more

Applied learning

You’ll be part of an active research community in the Applied Health and Social Care Research Centre (AHSRC), the Health Research Institute and the wider university. Our Research Centre vision is to deliver world leading applied research which impacts individuals, communities, populations and the health and social care workforce. We conduct applied health and social care research that addresses complex challenges and leads to improvements in people’s health and wellbeing through enhancements in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, care and service user experience. Our Centre researchers have extensive experience in patient, public and service user involvement, and in the co-design of research. In parallel, our research informs the development of the health and social care workforce, ensuring their roles are appropriate for the demands of an evolving health and social care sector. Much of our research is conducted in partnership with health and social care providers and industry, involving multidisciplinary collaborations across the university and with external national and international academic partners.

Your research will be closely aligned with one of the research groupings within the AHSRC. These are:

  • Maternal, child and family health and social care
  • Ageing and long term conditions
  • Technology, data and digital innovations
  • Health and social care organisation and workforce

There are multiple opportunities for you to be involved in a wide range of academic activities including teaching and knowledge exchange over the course of your programme, enabling you to further expand and enhance your knowledge and skills acquisition.


Future careers

Research degrees are a vital qualification for most academic and research careers. The research training and the high-level transferable skills you’ll acquire are highly desirable across all sectors and will be a valuable asset whatever your career.

 

Our postgraduate research programmes have prepared previous students for careers in

  • health and social care education
  • healthcare research
  • clinical and professional leadership
  • engagement in strategic organisations

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 


Collegiate Campus map
Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

You’ll have access to excellent facilities and learning resources as well as a dedicated postdoctoral office space which promotes vibrant discussion and collaboration.

You’ll also have access to our state-of-the-art specialist equipment which supports a wide range of research activities. The equipment is located on the Collegiate Crescent campus and within the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre which is part of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

 

The specialist facilities you’ll work with include

  • diagnostic imaging suites
  • clinical assessment and rehabilitation rooms
  • a wide range of simulation equipment and resources
  • high specification digital technology

Entry requirements

All students

All applicants should hold a strong undergraduate degree (2.1 or above) and/or a relevant masters qualification (or expectation of the same).

All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form including a 1500 word research proposal.

You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes. Before submitting your proposal, please contact the member(s) of staff listed against the relevant research theme.

Applicants are required to give a short 10–15 minute presentation followed by an interview. Interview panel members will include the head of research degrees for the relevant research area or centre, a local postgraduate research tutor and a prospective director of studies.

Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in each component or an accepted equivalent. Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees which have not yet been confirmed for 2024/25. For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2023/24 course page. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £17,205 per year. An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities. Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

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Doctoral student loans

Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Doctoral student loans

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Health and social care management courses (PDF, 409.1KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

Come to an open day Ask a question

Why choose us?

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Funding

Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year, eligibility applies

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

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Employment

98% of our health and social care students are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

Learn more

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