PhD Health and social care postgraduate research degrees

The PhD in Health and Social Care at the University of Portsmouth is made for students who want to help people live better, healthier lives. It lets you focus on big health and care problems that affect people and communities. You will study deeply and make new findings that can help solve real-world issues. This course is for students who want to do strong research and make a difference in hospitals, clinics, and society.

In this PhD programme, students will pick a topic that matters to them in health or social care. While working closely with a helpful supervisor who guides their research. The university has strong connections with the NHS, charities, and care homes, which will help students learn from real situations. You will also attend training sessions to build your research, writing, and speaking skills. The university gives students access to a library, online tools, and help from academic support teams.

During this course, students will learn mainly by doing research and writing about it. Students can read books, talk to people in the field, and collect their data. Your supervisors will check your progress and give you advice. At the end, you will write a research paper called a thesis and will also have to explain your work to a group of experts, and if they are happy with your work, you will earn your PhD.

The University of Portsmouth is a well-known school in a coastal city in the UK and has many students from all over the world. The university is renowned for its research excellence, quality teaching, and student support, as well as for providing a welcoming and safe campus environment. It offers modern buildings, excellent labs, and expert teachers who care about students.

Portsmouth has strong links to industries, hospitals, and research groups. This means students can get real experience while they study. Many students go on to excel in their careers after graduating due to the exceptional teaching and support they receive. The city is also a fun and affordable place to live.

Grade Requirements:

• You need an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. 
• Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. 

English Proficiency:

• If English is not your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum IELTS band of 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

For the 2025/26 academic session, the annual tuition fee to study this course full-time is  £19,200 for international students.

The Science and Health Global Postgraduate Taught Scholarship helps international students who want to study in the science and health fields. If you are an international student and have good grades, you can apply. This scholarship gives you a discount on your tuition fees. It is a good chance to save money while getting a great education. You must apply early and show why you deserve the award. The university will pick students who show strong skills and a great passion for helping others through health research.

Graduates of the PhD in Health and Social Care have many career paths open to them. They can work in roles such as

• University Professor
• Health Policy Advisor
• Clinical Research Manager
• Public Health Consultant
• Director of Social Services
• Health and Care Program Evaluator

To apply for the Portsmouth University PhD in Health and Social Care, applicants can apply directly on the school website. If you need help with the application, you can get in touch with our counsellors for detailed guidance.