Research Degrees at the School of Health Sciences  Research Degrees

Overview

The School of Health Sciences is committed to providing a supportive and well resourced environment for individuals wishing to pursue a clinical academic or academic career.

It provides excellent supervision opportunities from world leading research teams and all research students are linked to one of the Schools research groups, contributing to established programmes of research.

We offer the opportunity to undertake research degrees in a number of different ways:

  • Traditional MPhil/PhD
  • Structured MPhil/PhD
  • MPhil/PhD by prior publication
  • MPhil/PhD by prospective publication
  • School of Health Sciences

    • Start Date:

    September or February

    Entry Requirements

    Visa Requirements

    City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.

    The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

    • Students on courses of more than 6 months
    • Students on courses of less than 6 months
    • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

    For more information see our main Visa page.

    Start Dates / Duration of Studies

    Start Date

    September or February

    Duration of Studies

    Doctoral studies normally take three years full time and six years part time to complete.

    We offer the opportunity to undertake research degrees in a number of different ways.

    Traditional MPhil/PhD

    Most students choose to undertake their studies in this conventional format. The traditional MPhil/PhD involves writing a thesis based on the candidate's research, making an original contribution to their field of learning. The process of developing a substantial argument, usually written in the format of a book (not exceeding 100,000 words) is the traditional route to a career in research and academia.

    Structured MPhil/PhD

    An increasing number of students in the School are electing to undertake research studies by this alternative route.

    MPhil/PhD by prior publication

    This route is intended for people who have already published a number of significant research papers that collectively can be considered to constitute a thesis at doctoral level. Students who register on this route are required to spend one to two years composing an essay of around 20,000 words articulating the thesis that can be identified within their published work. 

    MPhil/PhD by prospective publication

    This route enables students to incorporate publication arising out of their study as they undertake their MPhil/PhD studies. 

    Research Areas

    The following provides a summary of the research activities within the School. If you are interested in undertaking research studies you first need to establish whether your proposed area of study matches the research expertise within the School. The research leads identified within these areas will be happy to talk through your proposal and application.

    Fees

    • Full-time EU: £3,930
    • Part-time EU: £1,970
    • Full-time Non EU: £11,790
    • Part-time Non EU: £5,900

    Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination. Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration.

    How to Apply

    If you are interested in undertaking MPhil/PhD studies in the School of Health Sciences you first need to establish whether your proposed area of study matches the research expertise within the School (see the list of research areas under the 'Structure & Awards' tab above). The research leads identified within each area will be happy to talk through your proposal and application.

    You must then complete the University application form which must be submitted with your research proposal.

    Having submitted your proposal and application form, your application will be considered and you may be invited for interview.

    If you are accepted for research degrees studies, then you may begin in either September or February.  

    If you are uncertain who to approach about your research proposal or want to make a general enquiry about applying for research degree studies then please contact one of the following research degree tutors:

    Supervision

    MPhil/PhD students have the opportunity to become integral members of the School of Health Sciences' research teams, which assist and encourage students to complete their studies. A wide range of formal and informal research groups are also available to support MPhil/PhD students.

    Supervision

    MPhil/PhD students are assigned to a team of supervisors, usually consisting of two academics who are expert in the field of the student's study. Students meet regularly with their supervisors to review their learning needs and plan their work towards progression and completion of their research studies.

    Students' progress is monitored regularly and supported by an annual review, where they may have the opportunity to discuss their written work with a research supervisor from outwith their supervision team.

    All research students (other than those undertaking doctoral study by prior publication) initially register for MPhil studies. When the student's study has sufficiently developed to demonstrate that it is of doctoral standard then the student may apply to be upgraded to PhD student status, which will involve an oral examination. Upgrading normally occurs within two years of full time study and within four years part time study.   

    Training

    All MPhil/PhD students can access a wide range of MSc modules and other training programmes across the university, normally without charge.

    A number of workshops, seminars and retreats are organised specifically for research degrees students across the school and within particular areas.

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