Research opportunities in health are available for either full or part-time study.
Range and Scope
With more than 15 academic staff in health, the Institute of Education and Public Services, is able to supervise across a broad range of topics. There are particular strengths in quality of life, whole person assessment, the role of spirituality in recovery and the illness journey and palliative care. We may also be able to offer you effective supervision for cross-disciplinary projects that link to management, education and social care.
The Institute provides a stimulating and supportive environment with a blend of extensive professional expertise in healthcare environments ranging from primary care to public policy.
As a research degree candidate, you are supported by a supervisory team with expertise in your subject or research approach. A research degree will open the door to work in full-time research, work in health care practice and administration and, if you are a practitioner, to a greater understanding of you professional practice.
Research environment
The Institute provides the broad research environment for candidates in this area – alongside their peers in education and social care. For some candidates the Centre for the Study of Faith, Science and Values in Healthcare may provide a particular focus. The Centre is concerned with a whole person approach to healthcare. It seeks to establish a scientific and values based paradigm for the integration of body, mind and spirit in the promotion of health and well-being, as well as the healing of illness and the prevention of dysfunction.
Over the past couple of years researchers in healthcare have also carried out applied research for a variety of organisations including: Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Skills for Care and the Greenwich Primary Care Trust.
This active backdrop means that research students — whether full or part-time — join a group of engaged researchers involved in pushing forward both new knowledge and professional practice.
Awards and Programmes
The Faculty of Business, Education and Professional Studies offers supervision for two routes to doctoral qualification in health.
- PhD (direct entry) - available to holders of cognate Masters degrees (or equivalent) only
- MRes (+ PhD) - available to holders of Bachelors degrees (or equivalent), please see separate web page for details of the MRes
Current Topics
Current candidates are investigating the clinical benefits from closer links in a three way therapeutic relationship between carers, service users and clinicians; they are evaluating the implementation of the Sherborne Developmental Movement Programme with children with severe autistic spectrum disorders and considering the effects of obesity and well being on women’s fertility.
Training in Research Methods
A key element for success in doctoral work is effective training in research methods. Candidates applying for direct entry to PhD will undertake, as part of their doctoral programme, instruction in: ‘Philosophy and Approaches to Research’ and ‘Methodologies and Methods’. Candidates applying for MRes follow a programme of 4 modules in research methods as part of their award.
Entry requirements
To join the PhD programme directly, you will normally need a UK Masters, or an equivalent qualification, in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic.
To join the MRes programme, you will need an UK Bachelors of upper second class or above, or an equivalent qualification. On successful completion of the MRes (approximately 12 months full-time), you can normally move on to the PhD programme.
However, the University will consider applications from candidates from different backgrounds who demonstrate appropriate research experience and achievement.
Please contact Sabina Fiebig to discuss any queries you have on entry requirements.
Staff offering supervision include:
Simon Chippendale
Prof. John Cox
Perinatal mental disorder, transcultural psychiatry and international public health, religion and psychiatry and parenthood and mental health
Dr Simon Dein
Rev Dr Alison Gray
Rev Rob Merchant
Dr Michael Sheldon
Whole person approach to healthcare, physical, counselling and pastoral assessments for use in a general practice