Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery

Research degrees

  • A research degree in the Department of Nursing allows you to develop your skills and contribute to internationally recognised  research supported by skilled staff and a vibrant, cross-discipline research student community.

    The department offers high quality training and research facilities that can be accessed by both part-time and full-time students, and all research students become part of the University's Graduate College, which runs a comprehensive programme of training sessions and workshops to give you the opportunity to acquire both research and transferable skills to advance your career. The department complements this with research methodology courses, seminars featuring eminent academics, and the opportunity to present work at the Annual Faculty Research Student Symposium.

  • Research opportunities

    How to apply

  • What research degree programmes are there?

    You may register for a research degree on a full-time or part-time basis and applications are welcome from part-time students in employment who wish to undertake a research project which is connected with their work. All students must be able to meet the University’s requirements for a research degree, which is to be able to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week (full-time) or 15 hours per week (part-time) to the programme of research.

    All students enrol as Probationer Research Students and during the first year formally register their research proposal for one of the following routes.

  • We run a successful, well established and innovative Doctoral (PhD) Training Program (DTP) that encourages nurses and allied health professionals to remain in clinical practice and actively involved in patient care, while pursuing doctoral studies. This program is modelled on the highly successful clinical DTP model used by the medical profession. Over the four years, the PhD candidates remain in clinical practice for 50% of their time and spend the remaining 50% on their translational research which is directly related to their clinical work and has a recognized benefit to patients and the NHS.

    The DTP is overseen by two experienced post-graduate tutors, who are also Professors in OxINMAHR, and whose role is to monitor progress and oversee a comprehensive training program that is delivered at University, Faculty and OxINMAHR levels.


    Examples of recent opportunities

    • PhD in rehabilitation;
    • A critical evaluation of the current support and education provisions available to carers of people with PI;
    • Maintaining skin integrity at end-of-life;
    • Safeguarding children in the acute hospital;
    • Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour;
    • Carer's needs and experiences whilst supporting the rehabilitation/recovery of a family member recovering from critical illness;
    • Prevalence and meaning of fatigue in patients recovering from critical illness.
    • EOL Care in ED
    • Models of care


    For more information visit the OxINMAHR opportunities page

    Full-time: three years. Part-time: 4 years (min.); up to six years (max.)

    Undertaking a PhD involves:

    • Critically investigating and evaluating an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge
    • Demonstrating an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
    • Presenting and defending a substantial thesis by oral examination

     

     

    The Professional Doctorate in Nursing (DNurs) is a part-time doctoral programme which is aimed at nurses who wish to remain in practice, develop research skills and knowledge with a peer group and experience our world class research institute OxINMAHR. The programme is focused for nurses who want to develop their knowledge and skills in research to enable them to become independent nurse researchers. The programme will enable nurses to develop research and leadership in practice through the application of higher level critical thinking knowledge and skills. 

    For more information visit the Professional Doctorate in Nursing page

  • Entry requirements

    Full entry requirements can be found under Section 2 of the Research Degree Regulations (B6) available at  /regulations/

    To summarise:

    • The minimum entry requirement for the degree of MPhil, or MPhil transferring to PhD, is a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree or equivalent qualification.
    • Before being accepted, self-funded students should provide evidence that they are able to fund adequately the whole of their research degree programme.
    • Applicants whose main language is not English must meet the  University's English language requirements.

    When can I apply?

    Research degrees normally start in September or January. You can apply at any time of year. Please allow at least four months between submitting your application and your expected start date so there is time to process your application, especially if you are an international student arranging a visa.