COVID-19

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

See our terms and conditions for more information

View our Frequently Asked Questions

This course provides learning opportunities to enable you to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the social science disciplines related to health, illness and health care. We aim to produce graduates who can proceed to careers in research in universities, and the public or private sector.

Quality and Ranking

We rank in the top 100 for Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.

Delivery

We deliver teaching via a mix of:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical sessions

This encourages active learning through discussion, problem solving and group work. Some sessions will involve student presentations, and preparatory or further reading and individual study will be required for others.

One third of the course involves undertaking a research project, which is developed in collaboration with academics. You can choose from a wide range of projects put forward by our academic staff, or select your own project. Projects undertaken vary and can involve:

• primary data collection (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods)
• secondary analysis of a wide range of available datasets
• a systematic review

In semester one you will develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods. We will provide you with regular research supervision throughout the course.

The course is research training recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under its 1+3 system (Master's degree plus PhD) for funding postgraduate studies through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership.

Module changes

Course content changes 

The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability

Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

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

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

Funding opportunities

English Language Requirements

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

Direct Entry: IELTS 7.0 overall (with at least 7.0 in writing)

Pre-sessional English Language courses are not accepted as an alternative entry to this course.

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

Start dates

The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

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.