Nursing & Midwifery - Research

Overview

You’ll be part of a dynamic doctoral research environment and will study alongside students from across the world undertaking research in key healthcare areas including our three core innovative research themes, which encapsulate lifespan health research from conception to end-of-life: Maternal and Child Health; Chronic Illness and Palliative Care and Education and Practice. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your research potential in a vibrant research community that prioritises the cross-fertilization of ideas and innovation in the advancement of knowledge.



Within the School of Nursing and Midwifery our area of strength is health innovation through co-design and rigorous evaluation of healthcare interventions with policymakers, practice partners, patients and carers.



The School of Nursing and Midwifery has a number of research projects open for application, however, if none of the projects listed align with your own research idea, you must check whether we can support your area of interest and identify a supervisor. To find out more information on next steps, click here:



https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/Study/HowToApply/Postgraduate/



Course structure

There is no specific course content as such. You are expected to take research training modules that are supported by the school which focus on quantitative and qualitative research methods. You are also expected to carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor.



Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School.



You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.



Differentiation takes place about 9 months after registration for full time students and about 18 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.



To complete with a doctoral qualification, you will usually be required to submit a thesis of up to 70,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.



A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. This includes a writing up year which students can apply for should it be required.



The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or a clinical setting.



Full-time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest. A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student’s written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.



The part time research degree is an exciting option for professionals already working in the healthcare field who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.



If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.

Graduate

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. As part of the application process candidates will be required to submit a research proposal and undertake an interview.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/nursing-proposal

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Helen Noble at Helen.noble@qub.ac.uk

Research information


Associated Research

In relation to the Cancer Nursing, Supportive and Palliative Care theme, the School is a constituent member of the All-Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care and through that is developing an island-wide research portfolio.