Research degrees in the Faculty of Health

Everything you need to know about our postgraduate research degrees
Physician Associate students in LSRC

A postgraduate research degree with the Faculty of Health allows progression in a variety of career paths, including clinical practice, healthcare service, research in non-laboratory and laboratory environments. The first step for potential applicants is to identify a potential research area of interest by browsing our research groups.

Please note that if English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency usually with an academic IELTS score of 6.5 or above.

Research opportunities

Peninsula Medical School
Peninsula Dental School
School of Biomedical Sciences
School of Nursing and Midwifery
School of Health Professions
School of Psychology

You may also be interested in a PhD on the basis of prior published works degree.

Useful information

abstract medical pharmacy healthcare innovative concept background Identify your area of interest
 From basic research discovering the causes of disease, through to evaluating novel ways of delivering care to the most vulnerable, the PIHR community conducts adventurous world-leading research to improve the health and care of the populations we serve

Visitors to our postgraduate open evening. Answering your questions
 Thinking about a research degree at University of Plymouth? You will find a wealth of useful information from how to apply, to fees, studentships and beyond within our dedicated postgraduate research degree pages

Researchers attend a Doctoral Symposium Doctoral College
 The Doctoral College works with staff and students across the entire University to ensure that our diverse community of postgraduate and postdoctoral early career researchers is offered the best possible experience

Faculty of Health Postgraduate Research Showcase

The Faculty of Health annual Postgraduate Research Showcase is a great opportunity for postgraduate students from the Faculty of Health to present, meet and exchange ideas with both peers and staff. 
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Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research

The Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) is a thriving community that conducts adventurous world-leading research with the explicit purpose of improving the health and care of the populations we serve. 
Our work is grounded in the needs of the people of the South West and other rural, coastal, and deprived communities worldwide, but PIHR’s research has national and international reach and impact. 
Find out more about the work of PIHR
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Research skills training with a ResM

Long to take a research degree but have limited research experience? Many areas offer a Research Masters (ResM) degree which incorporates taught elements and an extended research phase, including a research project and dissertation. It is suited to a wide range of people with an interest in developing their research skills within healthcare settings.

PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works

This degree programme enables eligible candidates who have not previously been able to register for a higher degree but have been research active and publishing – or making research available – in the public domain, to submit a collection of works for consideration for the award of a PhD. You are able to register for a PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works in all of the University's Postgraduate Research Areas (although only a few have their own programme pages on the University website).

Postgraduate research studentships 

Do you need funding for a research degree?

If you cannot fund your own PhD research project then please look at the advertised studentships as they become available throughout the year. Please check the advert carefully to ensure you are eligible and what funding and support are available. 

Current postgraduate research studentships at the University of Plymouth

Ciaran O'Sullivan

Our team

  • Associate Professor of Neuroscience (Research)
    Deputy Director of Doctoral College
  • Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology
    Deputy Director of Doctoral College
  • Associate Head of School (Postgraduate Study)
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Health Professions
  • Associate Professor of Immunology
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Biomedical Studies
  • Associate Professor in Psychology
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Psychology
  • Lecturer in Adult Nursing (Education)
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Nursing and Midwifery
  • Professor of Neuroscience
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Medical Studies
  • Associate Professor (Reader) in Oral & Dental Health Research
    Postgraduate Research Coordinator for Dental Studies