PhD in Applied Health Research PhD / MSc (Res)

Tuition is £22,880 (full-time) / £11,440 (part-time). Applications are due 1 June.

If you hold a 2:1 honours degree in a health-related discipline and wish to develop the ability to design and lead independent research that addresses global health challenges, this programme offers a pathway to that goal. The PhD can be studied full-time over a minimum of three years or part-time over up to six years, while the MSc by Research is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time commitment. Start dates are flexible, with the main intakes in October and April, and you progress through annual research milestones and progress reviews.

You will be supervised by leading academics in areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics and informatics, and will have access to dedicated write-up rooms, libraries and computing facilities. The programme includes training courses to develop research and transferable skills, an allocated academic mentor for pastoral support, and opportunities to present at poster festivals and network within a research community of around 600 postgraduate students. Graduates move into roles in academia, industry, NHS, pharmaceutical companies and research organisations.

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.