Nursing PhD

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work was placed top of the table for nursing and midwifery research in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, making this the ideal place to study for a postgraduate research award.

The postgraduate research programme gives students the opportunity to work with internationally renowned scholars engaged in innovative research that will make a difference in people's lives and in health and social care. We particularly welcome students from all health and social care disciplines who have an interest in exploring issues related to one of the following:

• Cancer, supportive and palliative care
• Child and family health and social care
• Mental health
• Management of long term health conditions
• Service user perspectives and experiences

For more details on research within the School see: our research 

The PhD programme of study consists of:

• Supervision by one or two members of staff
• Research training and support
• Taught course units
• Independent study

High-quality supervision is an integral part of the programme and students are typically allocated two supervisors with appropriate expertise from among the academic staff. Students are also assigned an advisor for further support.

The supervisory team will assist the PhD applicant throughout the study ensuring academic objectives are met and suitable training is provided in core skills fundamental to the research. Transferable skills training is provided by a dedicated Graduate Training Programme offered by the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences which provides training in research methodology, critical writing skills, intellectual property, research ethics etc.

PhD students have the option of studying using a distributed learning (DL) route. See: Online support for MPhil/PhD study

This innovative option is aimed at students who are generally unable to be present on The University of Manchester campus, but have the desire, potential and time to undertake a PhD. This option does include attendance at an annual, on-campus, intensive study week, where they meet supervisors and fellow students.

Prospective applicants are advised to visit the Studentships and funding pages for the most up-to-date information. Candidates are encouraged to contact the School well in advance of their proposed study date if they are seeking funded positions. This will facilitate the development of proposals for applications for external fellowships (eg. Department of Health, ESRC).

Academic entry qualification overview:

An honours degree (minimum 2:1) or the overseas equivalent in a relevant subject, OR an MPhil/MRes degree from a recognised institution, OR satisfactory work at postgraduate level (which must include some research training) undertaken for the equivalent of at least one year full time.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English are required to hold one of the following:

• IELTS 6.5, with a score of 6.0 or above in each component
• TOEFL 600 paper based (with a minimum score on Test of Written English of 6.0)
• TOEFL 250 computer based
• GCSE English grade C

Other international entry requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

Other entry requirements:

Additional requirements for distributed-learning students

Although the DL PhD maximises flexibility and decreases the need for travel and actual presence on campus (apart from the annual intensive study week), it does not decrease the time and commitment required for serious and successful PhD study. As well as the academic entry requirements distributed-learning students must also prove that they have the time, commitment and language ability and facilities available needed to work remotely. Students should confirm that they have:

• Two days per week minimum study time (part-time students); Full-time hours availability (Full-time students)
• Access to study sites and research participants
• If seconded from employment to undertake the programme - approval and support from employer for study time
• Adherence to University and home environment ethics and research governance procedures
• Consistent computer and IT access
• Broadband connection: minimum downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
• Software: up to date windows software
• Webcam and Microphone

Students must maintain expected virtual presence and communication in order to remain registered on the DL PhD programme.

Please note: When applying, distributed learning students should clearly indicate their interest in the distributed learning PhD on the application form.

In addition to the formal online application, candidates should send:

• Two academic references on official headed paper 
• A research proposal. It should be 2,500 words (+/- 10percent) long and include the following sections:
  • Title
  • Background (previous research in the area and own interest in the topic)
  • Research problem and study aims/research questions
  • Relevance of the proposed study to the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work's research priorities and strengths (see our research website )
  • Proposed study design, with justification for choice
  • Overview of proposed data collection methods and analysis techniques, with justification for choice
  • Unique contribution of the study to knowledge (what new knowledge might your study provide)
  • Brief consideration of practical and ethical issues
  • References (these are not included in the word limit)
• A document (approx. 1000 words) providing details on:  
  • What has been your career development to date and why do you wish to apply for PhD study?
  • What has been your research experience (emphasis on best project)?
  • What are your research interests (area and methods)?
  • Other supporting information: recent publications if any (indicate best publication), other research training and experience
• Evidence of assurances about study leave where appropriate
• Formal confirmation of funding status, eg a letter from your sponsor or documentary evidence of your ability to meet all fees and living costs
• A current CV

Candidates may be required to attend an interview.

We are not able to process applications until we receive the required documentation.

The deadline for complete  applications for September 2013 entry: 28 June 2013. Early application is advisable.

Supervision

Supervision is arranged taking account of the research interests and expertise of the staff and the candidate's proposed project. On occasion, joint supervision with a member of staff from another School within the University may be arranged, depending on the research method or topic to be studied.

Preference will be given to students whose research will complement the current research themes of the School.

• Research groups

Students join one of the Research Groups within the School appropriate to the nature of their study. Each academic grouping holds regular meetings aimed at the following types of research activity:

• Discussing students' progress in a wider research context
• Providing a forum for staff and students to present research findings and ideas in a supportive atmosphere
• Discussing and giving advice on conference presentations and broadening awareness of student's research
• Facilitating career development opportunities beyond their PhD

There is a detailed system to monitor the progress of PhD students. Students must submit work at specific stages and meet with their supervisors throughout their course. Some meetings are informal, while others are formal and documented.

All students must submit a continuation report at the end of 11 months (23 months if part time) which must be of the quality and style of a masters thesis and which is accompanied by a viva examination.

When students register, they receive a postgraduate handbook which explains the monitoring procedures in detail, including flowcharts for easy planning. This information is also available on the Faculty intranet, which students gain access to upon registration.

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work is based in a state of the art building housing seminar rooms, IT facilities, interpersonal skills laboratories and lecture theatres. The wider facilities of the university are of an excellent standard, with one of the best library collections and resources in Europe.

Students graduating from the School are in very high demand, with many assuming high profile leadership roles in academia, management, health and social care research, policy and practice and other areas.

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work

See: About the School.

Research at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work has established an acclaimed national and international reputation. As researchers, we are committed to conducting high-quality applied research that provides the evidence to improve health and social care and shape services.

The School was placed top of the table for nursing and midwifery research in the most recent UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008, with the largest portfolio of research in these disciplines and 85% of our research rated as world leading or world class.

We have particular strengths in:

• Cancer, supportive and palliative care
• Promoting positive ageing
• User involvement
• Emerging roles for nurses
• Child health
• Mental health
• Dementia care
• Ophthalmic nursing
• Clinical effectiveness
• Community nursing

Other areas of expertise and research include:

• Historical perspectives on health and archive research
• Management and organisation of health services
• Healthcare education and practice

We have extensive national and international collaborations and work with a wide range of partners in our programmes of research, including the UK National Health Service and Social Care Agencies. Our research is clearly aligned to regional, local and national policy agendas.

For more details on research within the School, see: our research

Telephone: +44 (0)161 306 0270

Facsimile: +44 (0)161 306 7895

Email: graduate.nursing@manchester.ac.uk

Website: www.nursing.manchester.ac.uk/