Program Overview

Health Services Research PhD / MPhil / MD

The Institute of Population Health offers a PhD/MPhil/MD in Health Services Research, providing students with the opportunity to undertake research with real-world benefits to improve health and reduce inequalities.

Introduction

The Institute of Population Health is dedicated to globally important and locally impactful population health scholarship, through programmes of research and civic partnerships. The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of health services, the social origins of health and social inequalities in healthcare, and mental health and well-being.

Research Topics

The Health Services Research PhD/MPhil/MD covers a broad range of potential topics for investigation, including:

• Policy Research on Social Determinants of Health and Child Health
• Energy, Air Pollution and Health
• Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Food Policy
• Public Health Simulation Modelling
• Routine or Administrative Data for Analysis of Health Inequalities
• Social Science Approaches in and of Public/Population Health
• Global mental health
• Chronic conditions and polymorbidity
• Children and families
• Older adults
• Primary care and community mental health
• Big data CIPHA and System-P
• Suicide and self-harm
• Dementia and ageing
• Clinical psychology (including forensics, pain, dementia, and physical health)
• Visual impairment in acquired brain injury

Research Culture

The research is supported by colleagues working in health and social care, experts by experience, and members of the public. The Institute has a long and successful history of research links with NHS services and is well-placed to help develop students' clinical research expertise across a range of settings in mental and physical health care.

Research Partnerships

The Institute has several key partnerships providing excellent research and educational opportunities for postgraduates, including the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC), and other research groups in IPH, the wider faculty, and the University.

Department of Primary Care and Mental Health

The Department of Primary Care and Mental Health aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing support, and primary healthcare provision. The department engages in scholarly activity to develop theories, models, and interventions for primary healthcare and to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems

The Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems is one of the largest public health departments in the UK and has a world-leading status for its excellence in research and education. The department prioritizes tackling existing and emerging population health issues, especially those that affect the community and lead to health inequalities.

How to Apply

To apply for the Health Services Research PhD/MPhil/MD, students should:

1. Identify potential supervisors and explore the staff lists for the Institute of Population Health.
2. Prepare application documents, including a research proposal, university transcripts and degree certificates, passport details, English language certificates, a personal statement, and a curriculum vitae.
3. Apply online and receive an email acknowledgment once the application is submitted.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for UK students: ｣5,238 (full-time) and ｣2,619 (part-time) per year.
• Tuition fees for international students: ｣32,200 (full-time) and ｣16,100 (part-time) per year.
• Additional costs, such as buying a laptop, books, or stationery, are not covered by the tuition fee.
• Funding opportunities, including Postgraduate Doctoral Loans, funded research opportunities, and financial support from UK research councils, charities, and trusts, are available.

Facilities and Resources

The Institute of Population Health is located in several buildings across the University campus, including the Waterhouse Building, Whelan Building, Thompson-Yates Building, and Eleanor Rathbone Building. Students have access to dedicated research facilities applicable to their specific PhD projects, along with a range of meeting and social spaces.

Careers and Employability

The University of Liverpool provides career support from day one to graduation and beyond, including access to Prosper, a structured career development and support program designed specifically for postdocs. The PGR Development Hub offers development opportunities, including coaching, workshops, and webinars, to support students' ongoing success and help them realize their ambitions.

Meet Our PhD Researchers

The University of Liverpool's postgraduate researchers are shaping their future and the future of the world, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold:

• A UK 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• A master's degree in a relevant subject. English language requirements:
• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.0.
• TOEFL iBT: 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 21, and speaking 23.
• Pearson PTE Academic: 69 overall, with no component below 61. Pre-sessional English courses are available for students who do not meet the English language requirements.