PhD Nursing and Health

Postgraduate Research Education within the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences is organised and delivered through the Institute of Nursing and Health Research. The Institute is well known nationally and internationally for providing high quality research training, which is relevant to nursing and health practice.

Nursing at Ulster University is in the premier league of universities in the UK and in terms of 4* research (i.e. research that is world- leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) we are ranked among the top 3 universities. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results show that 96% of nursing and health sciences research at Ulster University is of international excellence or ‘world leading’ and 100% of our research impact and 100% of our research environment are also recognised and world leading or internationally excellent.

The University welcomes applicants interested in researching Health and Rehabilitation Technologies, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses, Maternal, Fetal and Infant Research, and Person-centred Practice Research.

There is excellent infrastructure of supervision and support for PhD researchers both off and on campus. The Faculty supports and monitors postgraduate research education and is responsible for ensuring high quality supervision. The Doctoral College and Faculty organise PhD researcher conferences, to encourage and develop student’s skills, throughout their doctoral programme. Regular PhD researcher progress seminars are organised by the Institute of Nursing and Health Research at which PhD researchers present their research at an initial assessment, at around 10-15months (confirmation assessment) and prior to submission of the thesis (final assessment). These seminars offer PhD researchers and supervisors an opportunity to discuss methodological and other issues. The emphasis is on promoting a culture which values research.

The Institute of Nursing and Health Research provides a unique experience for doctoral researchers who wish to develop their research skills and knowledge in order to make a significant contribution to knowledge in their chosen fields. Supervision is available to support improvements in Nursing and Healthcare across the life course, from before birth to bereavement support.