Research in the Institute of Health and Society (IHS) is organised into four themes and underpinned by four discipline groups. As a research student, you will be fully integrated in a theme or group. You will have a team of supervisors, including clinicians or policy makers from a range of health and social care settings. Current research interests, projects and publications are available from our staff profiles.

Themes

Applied epidemiology

The applied epidemiology theme contributes to the understanding, prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable disease across the life course. Research areas include:

• maternal and perinatal health
• childhood cancer
• life course epidemiology

Decision making and organisation of care

Decision making and organisation of care brings together social and behavioural science, and clinical expertise to conduct applied health research.  Research areas include:

• implementation/improvement science
• shared decision making/patient-centred care
• experience of health, illness and healthcare

Life-course, development and ageing

Life-course, development and ageing explores healthy ageing, from development in childhood and the consequences of disability, to the health and wellbeing of the oldest old (85 and over).  Research areas include:

• ageing and health
• transitions in health and disability
• understanding child disability
• improving quality of life
• technologies and the environment
• cognitive impairment and dementia

Public health improvement

The public health improvement theme conducts applied health research with a focus on the development, evaluation and translation of health interventions. Research areas include:

• understanding and tackling health inequalities
• understanding and changing health related behaviours
• evaluation of public health policy
• public health nutrition
• prevention of alcohol misuse

Discipline groups

Health economics

The Health Economics Group conducts research aimed at improving the allocation of scarce health and social care resources, tackling inequalities in access to care and health, applying and developing research to better measure the benefits of health and social care. Research areas include:

• evaluating benefits/quantifying preferences in for health and health care
• development and application of economic evaluation
• commissioning and priority setting in health care
• econometric applications in studies of health, with a focus on income and health inequalities

Health psychology

The Health Psychology Research Group focuses on behavioural and psychological processes in health and health care. The group's research includes work on methodology, theory and the development and evaluation of interventions, contributing to both scientific and practice agendas. Research areas include:

• causes of behaviour relevant to health and health care
• behavioural theory
• modifying behaviour, emotion and cognition
• complex behavioural interventions for health and health care
• knowledge translation in health care.

Medical sociology

The Medical Sociology Group is theoretically and methodologically broad ranging. The group applies different theoretical sociological approaches dependent upon the subject under research. Research areas include:

• individual patients’ and carers’ experiences of health and health care
• evaluation of health care organisation and work
• implementation of health care technologies

Health technology evaluation

The Health Technology Evaluation Group conducts research into healthcare methods and interventions including:

• screening procedures
• drugs
• medical devices
• surgery
• therapy interventions
• behaviour change interventions
• organisation and delivery of health care

This is done through systematic reviews, rigorously designed clinical trials and process evaluations, multi-method feasibility studies and other high quality designs. Research areas include:

• feasibility of health technologies
• acceptability of health technologies
• efficacy and effectiveness of health technologies
• comparisons of health technologies
• health technology evaluation method

Quality and Ranking

We rank in the top 100 for Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019

Delivery

Attendance on campus is flexible, agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of your research project. You are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days, which includes statutory and bank holidays.

You will receive formal, high quality subject-specific and generic skills training with modules including:

• quantitative and qualitative methods
• health and health care policy
• health economics
• health care quality

We have a thriving postgraduate community with friendly and supportive relations between students and staff. Although formal supervision takes place once a month, you will be encouraged to present your studies to your research theme and to the wider Institute.

Our Athena SWAN (Scientific Women's Academic Network) silver award was renewed in 2014. This recognises good employment practice and the promotion of women working in science, engineering and technology.

You will receive a tailored package of support from the University to ensure you maximise your research and future career. There are also opportunities to undertake your research at Newcastle within a Doctoral Training Centre, Centre for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnership.

Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Student Development Programme

Our Research Student Development Programme is a community made up of postgraduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

It supports your research whilst developing your professional skills and confidence.

You will make an on-going assessment of your own development and training needs through personal development planning (PDP) in the ePortfolio system. Our organised external events and development programme have been mapped against the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to help you identify how best to meet your training and development needs.

Doctoral training centres and partnerships

Being part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) means that you can benefit from the research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics. You'll also be studying alongside a cohort of other PhD students.

These centres are often interdisciplinary, combining expertise and training from multiple subject areas. You may also be able to collaborate with an industrial or commercial organisation.

Your PhD will be funded. Normally the fees are covered and you'll receive a tax-free stipend or living expenses. Additional funding is sometimes available to cover things such as conference attendance and research materials.

The centres/ partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area.

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

EU students starting at Newcastle in 2019 and 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.

Fee ranges

Our fee range takes into account your research topic and resource requirements.

Your research topic is unique and as such will have unique resource requirements. Resources could include specialist equipment, such as laboratory/workshop access, or technical staff.

If your research involves accessing specialist resources then you're likely to pay a higher fee. You'll discuss the exact nature of your research project with your supervisor(s). You'll find out the fee in your offer letter.

Funding opportunities

English Language Requirements

To study this course you need to meet the following English Language requirements:

IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills).

Our typical English Language requirements are listed as IELTS scores but we also accept a wide range of English Language tests.

Applications are considered throughout the year although specific deadlines for funding may apply. 

You do not need to identify a supervisor prior to submitting your application via the applicant portal.

As part of your application, please upload a short (non-binding) research proposal to indicate your broad area of interest (outline any proposed methods if applicable). This helps us assess both your suitability for a research degree and whether we can offer supervision.

If your application is successful and we can match you with a supervisor, you will normally be invited to attend a selection interview (either on campus, by video-conferencing or Skype).

Start dates

Students usually commence their studies in September, although in some circumstances an alternative start date can be arranged.

Deposit

If you live outside the UK/EU you must:

• pay a deposit of £1,500
• or submit an official letter of sponsorship

The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.