University of Nottingham

What you'll study

The PhD is a research degree centred on an original, supervised research project that contributes new knowledge to nursing and related health fields. Projects can address a wide range of topics including chronic disease management, acute and critical care, mental health, ageing and frailty, community and public health nursing, midwifery-related practice, nursing education, workforce issues and implementation science.

Your study will typically include:

• Designing and delivering a sustained, original research project under the guidance of an interdisciplinary supervisory team.
• Formal training in research methods: advanced qualitative approaches (for example, grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography), advanced quantitative techniques (including applied statistics, trial methodology, longitudinal analysis), mixed methods and health economics as appropriate to the project.
• Research governance and ethics, patient and public involvement (PPI), and the practical requirements of conducting research in clinical settings.
• Regular engagement with the doctoral community through seminars, journal clubs and methodological workshops run by the School of Health Sciences and university research centres.
• Development of broader research skills such as grant writing, academic publishing, teaching and supervision, presentation skills and knowledge translation.

The PhD culminates in submission of a thesis and a viva voce examination. Candidates follow a personalised training plan and are expected to produce outputs such as peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations during their candidature.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a relevant master's degree with a substantial research component or an equivalent qualification demonstrating research capability. Applicants with a strong honours degree plus significant research or professional experience may also be considered. Healthcare professionals who are registered (for example with the Nursing and Midwifery Council) and who have clinical experience relevant to their proposed project are particularly welcome, especially where the research involves clinical access or patient contact.

Typical application materials include a clear research proposal, CV, academic transcripts, and academic or professional references. Candidates will be assessed on the novelty and feasibility of the proposed research, fit with the expertise of potential supervisors, and their preparedness to undertake doctoral-level study. Where English is not the applicant's first language, evidence of an appropriate English language qualification is required in line with university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD in Nursing Studies have a range of career pathways. Common trajectories include:

• Academic careers as lecturers, senior lecturers, research fellows and professors in universities and higher education institutions.
• Clinical academic roles combining patient care with research and teaching within NHS trusts or other healthcare providers.
• Research leadership positions in NHS research and development departments, clinical trials units, local and national health research organisations, and research charities.
• Roles in health policy, public health, service improvement, and consultancy where advanced research skills and evidence appraisal are required.
• Industry roles such as research and development, medical communications and health technology assessment where methodological expertise is valued.

Why study at University of Nottingham

The School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham is part of a broad Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences that supports interdisciplinary research and strong links with regional NHS partners. Doctoral students benefit from access to specialist research groups, methodological expertise across qualitative and quantitative traditions, and facilities for clinical and community-based research.

Supervision teams are drawn from established researchers in nursing, midwifery, public health and allied disciplines, and the school encourages collaborative projects with health services, charity partners and other academic units. A structured doctoral training environment provides core research skills training, opportunities for teaching experience, dedicated PGR support services and regular forums to develop presentation and publication outputs.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors to discuss topic ideas and suitability before applying, and to review the School of Health Sciences research themes to identify areas of strongest fit for their doctoral study.