PhD Nursing and Health

Postgraduate Research Education within the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences is organised and delivered through the Institute of Nursing and Health Research. The Institute is well known nationally and internationally for providing world leading research training, which is relevant to nursing and health practice. Nursing at Ulster University is in the premier league of universities in the UK and in terms of 4* research (research that is world- leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) we are ranked among the top 5 universities. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results show that our research environment is 100% world-leading (4*); 83% of our research publications and 95% of our research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (3 and 4*).

The University welcomes applicants interested in working within one of our three centres: Health and Rehabilitation Technologies (themes of research include technologies for enablement, physical activity for health, and rehabilitation, healthcare practice and education); Caring for People with Complex Needs (themes of research include intellectual and developmental disabilities, older people and their carers, palliative care and person-centred practice research, cancer care and diabetes); Maternal, Fetal and Infant Research (themes of research include midwifery and maternal health and perinatal epidemiology).

The Institute of Nursing and Health Research provides a unique experience for doctoral researchers who wish to develop their research skills and knowledge in order to make a significant contribution to knowledge in their chosen fields. Supervision is available to support improvements in Nursing and Healthcare across the life course, from before birth to bereavement support.

PhD graduates are recognised by employers to hold valuable transferrable skills, as the nature of the degree trains candidates in creativity, critical inquiry, problem solving, negotiation skills, professionalism and confidence.

The most recent Ulster survey of PhD graduates found that 92% had secured employment within the first year since graduation (HESA Destination of Leavers Survey 2015), and while two thirds end up in the Higher Education or Research sectors, the range of skills acquired equips the remainder for employment in a wide range of contexts.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study. We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.