Program Overview
Applied Health Sciences
Introduction
Population-based research to support decision-making aimed at maximising health and optimising healthcare services.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Degree Qualification: MSc or PhD
Research Area Navigation
Overview
The Institute of Applied Health Sciences (IAHS) is a multidisciplinary grouping of approximately 70 academic staff who conduct population-based and clinically-orientated health research. It is co-located on the Foresterhill health campus with clinical services of NHS Grampian.
Our Research
We welcome applications from self-funded students at any time for full-time or part-time study on campus if students would like to balance their work or caring responsibilities while doing their PhD. We also offer to both national and international students a part-time and full-time distance learning pathway.
Research Interests
Symptoms and early diagnosis
- Prevalence, determinants and impact of different symptoms
- Prognostic value of symptoms and biological measurements in an individual
- Clinical usefulness and affordability of different diagnostic approaches, including new technologies
Evaluation of healthcare interventions
- Evidence synthesis, including health technology assessments, modelling and systematic reviewing
- Primary research, mainly large-scale randomised clinical trials, especially of non-drug technologies and complex interventions
- Health economic valuation and preference work, including contingent valuation and discrete choice experiments
Delivery and organisation of care
- Resource allocation
- Service delivery
- Workforce issues
Our research is further enhanced by specialist collaborations
- Applied Clinical and Translational Research into Ageing
- Health Informatics Research
- European League Against Rheumatism Centre of Excellence
- Global Health
Entry Requirements
Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission to the PhD is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or equivalent. It is preferable that you hold a Masters in the chosen area of study as well.
If English is not your first language and you have not studied previously at an institution in the UK, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in English by taking an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE academic test.
Fees and Funding
View the tuition fee rates
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
Careers
You can choose a wide range of health research options from studying a research degree. This can include lab work to innovate, understand medical issues or find a solution to a specific problem working in public and private health environments or specialist research institutes.
Related Postgraduate Taught Degrees
- Global Health and Management
- Health Economics for Health Professionals
- Master of Public Health
