University of Portsmouth

PhD Health and social care postgraduate research degrees

University of Portsmouth

Course overview

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.

Entry requirements

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.

Scholarships

  • Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship

    This scholarship will take the form of a £5,000 fee reduction that will apply to your first year of study.

    Up to £5,000

  • Chevening Scholarship

  • GREAT Scholarships

    The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK.

    Up to £10,000

  • Sanctuary Scholarship

  • Sport Scholarships

    Please contact the provider

  • Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship

    This scholarship will take the form of a £2,500 fee reduction that will apply to your first year of study.

    Up to £2,500

Career opportunities

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

Cost of study

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

Admission

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.

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