Population Health Sciences

PhD, MPhil

The Department of Population Health Sciences offers supervision for the degrees of:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - full-time and part-time

We also offer supervision for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Supervision and research areas

We offer PhD, MD and MPhil supervision in Population Health Sciences in areas compatible with the research interests of our academic staff including:

Allied Health Professions
Biostatistics
Diabetes Research Centre
Genetic Epidemiology
Social Science Applied to Health Improvement Research (SAPPHIRE)
Mental Health, Ageing, Public Health, and Primary Care (MAPP)
The Infant Mortality and Morbidity Studies (TIMMS)

Interested in a different research area?

It is important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests - otherwise we may not be able to accept your application.

However, please do not feel we will not be interested if there is not an exact match. It is sometimes possible to be flexible, so please contact us.

Self Funded Projects

The projects below are available to applicants who are able to fund their own study or have their own sponsor The University is not able to offer financial assistance for these projects. To apply please refer to the project advice and use the application link at the bottom of the page.

Ref: HS-SF-GRAY

Supervisors: Professor Laura Gray, Dr Lucy Teece and Professor Kamlesh Khunti

Project Title:Extending the use of the Leicester Diabetes Risk Scores with a focus on use in ethnic minority groups

Ref: HS-SF-CAI

Supervisors: Dr Samuel Cai. Professor Anna Hansell, Dr Tim Lucas

Project Title: Environmental influences in the ageing brain: a cross-cohort investigation in UK-wide populations

Ref: HS-SF- Bhattacharjee

Supervisors: DrAtanu Bhattacharjee, Dr Francesco Zaccardi and Professor Kamlesh Khunti

Project title: Personalising thresholds of risk factor control for prevention of cardiovascular disease in subjects with diabetes

Entry requirements

You must hold a UK undergraduate (Bachelors) degree with at least first class or upper second class honours or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution.

See academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements.

How to apply

Find the research group you would like to work in and one or two members of staff within that group whose research interests are closest to your own.

Draft a brief (1,000 words maximum) personal statement that:

explains why you want to work in this area
describes any relevant research experience - for example, as part of a previous degree
lists any academic work you have published or which is awaiting publication

Prepare your supporting documents - with your application you need to include proof that you meet the academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements:

include all relevant certificates/diplomas and transcripts
international applicants must provide official copies of their entire course transcripts, including explanations of the mark schemes used
supporting documents not in English must be provided with a certified English translation
CV
In addition to uploading the above documents please enter contact details for two academic (not personal) referees who can comment on your suitability for the research degree programme or upload letters of reference if already available

Submit your online application using the Apply button at the bottom this page.

When to apply

We have intakes in January, April, July and September each year.

You should try to submit your application as far in advance of your preferred start date as possible. If you are an international applicant and require a visa to study in the UK you should submit your application at least 3-4 months before the proposed start date.

After you have submitted your application, it will take a minimum of six weeks for you to receive a decision about your application.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees vary according to your fee status and the mode of study (full-time or part-time). For clarification please contact pgradmissions@le.ac.uk.

UK Campus-based

* UK fees will rise each year of study in line with UKRI rates.

Full-time

Starting in 2022/23 academic year: £4,596 per year
Starting in 2023/24 academic year: TBC in early 2023

Part-time

Starting in 2022/23 academic year: £2,298 per year
Starting in 2023/24 academic year: TBC in early 2023

International Campus-based

Full-time

Starting in 2022/23 academic year: £21,000 - £34,000 per year
Starting in 2023/24 academic year: £21,850 - £35,350 per year

*International fees vary according to the nature of the research project to be undertaken. The applicable fee will be determined at the point an offer of admissions is made and will be stated on the offer letter.

Part-time

Please note that owing to UK visa restrictions, part-time campus based registration is not normally available to international applicants.

The normal duration of a PhD programme is three years (full-time). PhD students may use the fourth year as a 'writing-up' year for which a reduced fee is payable if active research has been completed - currently £100. (Maximum registration permitted is 4 years full-time or 7 years part-time).

Funding

For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.

PhD description

PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The research is normally completed over a maximum period of 3.0-3.5 years (full-time) or 6.0-6.5 years (part-time).

A fourth year (full-time) or seventh year (part-time) or the remaining part of this can be used to prepare the thesis for examination. The thesis should not normally exceed 50,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.

PhDs explained