(PhD) Doctor of Philosophy
Health Studies
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Doctorate
Full-time
PHD B79748
29/01/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.1 degree, or equivalent, in a related discipline.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, then we will require you to have IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
External Examiners for research degrees are appointed student by student due to the highly specialised nature of the awards. The names and institutions of External Examiners for research degrees are therefore not published on the programme specification. Supervisors discuss with students appropriate External Examiners and nominees are appointed in accordance with the University’s Ordinances. More information can be found in the Principal Regulations for Research Degrees and the accompanying Code of Practice.
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
Due to the individualised nature of Postgraduate Research Degree’s, project aims and outcomes are usually determined during the research proposal stage, and adapted as necessary throughout the research period. Students will be supported through discussions with their supervisory teams and during Supervisory Panels, using the published milestones as a framework for their research journey.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods.
A2: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of current developments in scholarly practice, competencies and personal effectiveness needed to be a highly skilled researcher.
A3: Acquire knowledge and understanding of research skills and practices pertaining to the candidate's chosen field.
A4: Acquire knowledge of the composition and editing skills necessary to succeed in writing in a suitable academic register in the candidate's chosen field, and to understand why those principles are germane to the discipline.
A5: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical, health and safety, and legal issues pertaining to research.
A6: Acquire knowledge of the requisite use of English Language to present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
The lecturer-led pedagogy—i.e., the lecture and seminar programme in particular—will enable students to acquire, reflect on, and test a range of advanced subject-specific knowledge and content, including the latest academic reflection on quant- and qualitative methods, as well as the use of data gathering, analytics, and machine-learning.
This programme of learning and teaching is fully accessible and inclusive for all students who are looking to study at this level, with a particular emphasis on online accessibility. Materials will be presented in advance where appropriate and will adhere to the University of Essex policy of accessible documentation for the classroom. For a course that attracts international students there will be careful sequencing of information to present a guided approach to the acquisition of new knowledge and practices. The course is informed by the research expertise of our academic faculty and reflects the excellence of our research environment and the high priority we place on research-led teaching practice.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [A6, A4]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [A4, A2, A3, A5, A6]
- Research Skills (discipline specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [A3, A5, A4, A2, A6]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [A1 through to A6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [A5, A6, A2, A1]
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to deploy research skills, including the ability to display and analyse qualitative, quantitative and empirical data, using appropriate methodologies and software.
C2: Students will be able to utilise transferable research skills that include the use of scientific databases, archives, primary sources and secondary theoretiecal texts, referencing packages, and modelling packages. Students will also be able to deploy data collection skills, including the recruitment, instruction and debriefing of participants.
C3: Students will be able to deploy preliminary investigative procedures, enabling them to demonstrate the creation of new knowledge, evidence proof of concept, conduct pilot studies, and, where necessary, construct and validate new instruments.
C4: Students will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication, and presentation of a research proposal.
C5: Students will be able to deploy a suitable academic register for written communication in the candidate's chosen field, and to edit and refine their work through iterative version development.
C6: Students will be able to use the requisite scholarly level of English Language to articulate and present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
Alongside the development of subject-specific skills and capabilities related to the course content, the learning methods of the course—in particular, interactive forms like the research seminars, workshops, discussions, and lab-based practical sessions—will also equip students with a range of softer, professional skillsets, including negotiation, debate, collaboration, and co-production.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [C6, C4, C5]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [C5, C4, C1]
- Research Skills (discipline-specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [C1, C2, C3]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [C1 through to C6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [C4, C5, C6, C2]
D: Key skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods