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)
  • 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.

Dr Sharmin Shabnam Personalising thresholds of risk factor control for prevention of cardiovascular disease in subjects with diabetes

Dr Dimitrios Papamargaritis  Harnessing mechanistic technologies and real-world clinical data to advance the interdisciplinary field of obesity and cancer prevention

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

  1. 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.
  1. 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
  1. 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
  • Enter contact details for two academic (not personal) referees who can comment on your suitability for the research degree programme in the space provided or upload letters of reference on signed headed paper if already available. Potential PhD supervisors cannot act as referees.
  • In the funding section please state how you intend to fund your study
  • In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title  
  1. 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 5-6 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

  • 2024/25 academic year: £4,786
  • 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025

Part-time

  • 2024/25 academic year: £2,393
  • 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025

International campus based

Full-time

  • 2024/25 academic year: £23,650 - £38,300 per year
  • 2025/26 academic year: £23,650 - £38,300 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.

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

Duration of Study

The maximum registration permitted is four years full-time or seven years part-time.
The typical duration of a full time PhD is 3 - 3.5 years. 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).

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

Application options

Apply: full-time Apply now
Apply: part-time Apply now

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