PhD/MPhil Primary Care and Health Services Research / Programme details

Our research

Our research is organised into four themes, all of high relevance to the delivery of care in the UK and internationally. We also place a major emphasis on advancing research methodology.

1.       Health organisation, policy and economics (HOPE)

This interdisciplinary theme focuses upon research which investigates the supply, organisation, management and financing of health and social care services.

2.       Quality and safety

This theme focuses on conducting innovative, needs-driven and applied research to improve quality of care and patient safety in primary care, particularly in general practice and community pharmacy as well as the interface of hospital and social care.

3.       Person centred care and complex health needs

This theme focuses on ensuring patient and professional experience is at the centre of research to address health and healthcare needs. We have particular expertise in self-management, multimorbidity, mental health and health technology assessment.

4.       Health in a wider context

We focus on how the wider context impacts on health and on health and care policy. Wider influences are important in shaping patterns of health and in designing efficient and equitable health and care systems.

The Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research is acknowledged internationally as one of the UK's leading research centres for health policy research and postgraduate teaching in primary care. We aim to inform the development of future health and care policy, and communicate our findings to government, policy-makers, practitioners and academics.

The centre is a founder member of the prestigious NIHR School for Primary Care Research , a collaboration of eight leading primary care departments.

Our work is multidisciplinary and brings together staff who are GPs, psychiatrists, sociologists, psychologists, statisticians, economists and health services researchers.

The Centre also aims to support and promote the involvement of patients, the public and providers in health research, through our Patient and Public Involvement Group PRIMER.

Highly experienced world-renowned experts in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research are available to supervise.

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

PhD/MPhil programmes are based on individual research projects that last three to four years (PhD) or one to two years (MPhil), working with a specific Primary Supervisor and Co-Supervisor(s).

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on the Doctoral Academy Blog and the support available through our Faculty Doctoral Academy.

You will have access to a range of  research and learning facilities  across the University and at some of our partner organisations.