PhD/MPhil Maternal and Child Health/Midwifery

Study for an MPhil/PhD

Doctoral level study involves independent academic research, supported by supervisors, that makes an original contribution to knowledge within the discipline.

There are two main routes to doctoral-level research degrees (PhD) within the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

The main approach - MPhil/PhD by major thesis - centres on conducting original research and presenting this in a thesis of around 70,000 words (and no longer than 100,000 words).

An alternative route to doctoral qualification is PhD by publication. This involves the candidate either linking together a coherent body of previously conducted research papers with a critical commentary (PhD by prior publication), or preparing and submitting a series of papers for peer reviewed publication during the period of registration (PhD by prospective publication).

Further details of these two routes are given below:

MPhil/PhD by major thesis

The standard route involves the accepted candidate pursuing a research project under the guidance of their supervisors over a period of 3 years (full-time) or 4-6 years (part-time).

MPhil and PhD study will commonly involve a structured programme of research activity. Comprising systematic literature review, pilot or developmental study, and main study phases.

PhD by publication

Prior publication: Candidates who have already published a series of significant research papers submit these together with an accompanying analytical commentary. This body of work must be principally the candidate's own work.

The number and range of publications must be sufficient to demonstrate that the work forms a coherent contribution to knowledge or scholarship within the particular field. This typically involves around six papers.

Prospective publication: Candidates publish several (generally around four to six papers, dependent on their depth, quality, significance and impact) significant research papers addressing various aspects of their research topic during their period of PhD registration.

For full details about the City PhD programme structure, please see the Guide for Research Students.

Entry requirements vary by subject area. Applicants should approach academic staff working in their area of interest to discuss their proposal ahead of submitting an application. Applicants should normally hold an upper second-class honours degree or the equivalent from an international institution.

Where the applicant's academic profile shows no evidence of training in research methods, it is recommended that students first complete a Master’s programme. This is to prepare them for MPhil/PhD studies. Substantial employment or research experience may be considered for some subject areas alongside or in place of academic qualifications.

English requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of at least 7 (with a minimum of 7.0 in writing) is required.

For more information see our main entry requirements page.

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area/Switzerland and you are coming to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:

• Students on courses of more than six months;
• Students on courses of less than six months;
• Students on a pre-sessional English language course.

For more information see our main Visa page.

Fees for doctoral candidates are charged annually and cover registration, supervision and examination.

Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration. Where applicable, fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each academic year of study commencing in September. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

Support for PhD study

Prospective students are encouraged to explore doctoral Grants and funding opportunities such as:

• NIHR and MRC Fellowship schemes
• Specialist scholarship schemes (such as those provided by Arthritis UK, Diabetes UK, and the British Heart Foundation)
• Research Council studentship awards, if available.

Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The Government has introduced a new Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme which can provide a loan of up to £25,000.

This will be over three years to support study for a doctoral degree.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. It can be used alongside any other forms of support you may be able to receive.

For more information, please see our Postgraduate Doctoral Loans page.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Funding for Research Projects

Harp - HARP is a doctoral training programme for health professionals, offering full time salary and consumables for three years.  It is a partnership of QMUL and City supported by Social Action for Health and funded by the Wellcome Trust, Barts Charity, the Trustees of the Medical College of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust and East London Foundation Trust.

Barts Charity doctoral fellowships for nurses, midwives and AHPs - This programme supports nurses, midwives and Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) to undertake clinical research to complete a PhD at City.

City has a well-established structure and processes to support your research.

Supervision

MPhil/PhD students have the opportunity to become integral members of the School of Health & Medical Sciences' research teams based in Our Research Centres. These centre's assist and encourage students when completing their studies. A wide range of formal and informal research groups are also available to support MPhil/PhD students.

MPhil/PhD students are assigned to a team of supervisors. This usually consists of two academics who are expert in the field of the student's study.

Students meet regularly with their supervisors to review their learning needs and plan their work towards progression and completion of their research studies. Full time students are required to meet with their supervisors at least twice a term. Part-time students will meet with supervisors at least once a term.

Here notes will be recorded notes from these meetings and other indicators of progress on the web-based system, Research And Progress (RAP).

Students' progress is monitored regularly and supported by an annual review. They may have the opportunity to discuss their research design and written work with a research advisor from outside their supervision team. They also have access to ongoing support from Senior Tutors for Research.

All students working towards a PhD initially register for MPhil studies.

When the student's study has sufficiently developed to demonstrate that it is of doctoral standard then the student may apply to be upgraded to PhD student status. This involves an oral examination. Upgrading normally occurs between 12 and 18 months for full time study and between 24 and 30 months for part time study.

Research students are also supported by student representatives who meet regularly with the student-staff liaison committee. Here they can respond to any student concerns that cannot be addressed by the supervision team.

Training

All MPhil/PhD students can access a wide range of MSc modules and other training programmes across City, normally without charge. Attendance at these programmes is discussed with and, if appropriate, approved by the student's supervision team.

A number of workshops, seminars and retreats are organised specifically for research degrees students across the School and within particular areas. Students are also invited to attend the research seminars that are organised for academic staff.

Institution-wide research related activities can also contribute to your development as a researcher. An annual programme of research and enterprise development activities is kept under review and updated in response to feedback from research students and academic and research staff.

The City Doctoral College can provide more information about graduate degrees.

Prior to submitting an application, you are strongly encouraged to contact one of our academics in your chosen subject area, and or the Maternal and Child Health Senior tutor for research to discuss your proposed research project and whether we have the academic expertise to supervise you.

All applications for admission to our postgraduate research programmes should be submitted via City’s online application platform - please see below. Your application must include a curriculum vitae and a 1-2 page proposal outlining your study with details on:

• background and rationale for your research including other work in the area leading up to the PhD study.
• proposed methodology and research design with details on sampling, measures and analysis.
• potential outcomes and impact of the research.

Your application will be reviewed by the Research Centre's Senior Tutor for Research who consider your suitability for a place, and who will make a recommendation to the School Research Programmes Committee and Doctoral College Board of Studies for your admission.

Please see here for guidance on how to prepare your research proposal.

When you attach these documents to your application, please ensure that you have labelled them appropriately for ease of identification during the shortlisting process e.g. passport or visa.

Failure to do so may delay the application process.

While a February start is possible, the University strongly prefers October starts, as this allows for a stronger cohort of peers. If you wish to start in February, this will be considered, but you will need to provide clear justification which can be supported by your proposed supervisors.

For further application enquiries please contact our PGR enquiries team.