Our School is committed to being one of the leading centres of healthcare scholarship in the UK, and aims to achieve national and international excellence in research, education and practice development.
The results of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 has confirmed Nottingham as one of the top 5 UK universities for nursing and midwifery research according to the research power method for ranking research in a subject area, which includes both the quality and depth of research activity. Almost all (90%) of the research carried out by academics in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy is of international significance, with over half (55%) of the research defined as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. This result is particularly pleasing against the backdrop of a tremendous advance in all nursing and midwifery research in the UK since the last RAE in 2001. The overall results for nursing and midwifery establish it as a world class subject area in UK higher education.
These results bear out the School's long term commitment to increasing the number of academics involved in high quality, internationally significant research. A strong and sustainable research culture supports high quality education for health professionals and this result places the School at the leading edge of research and teaching in the UK.
We encourage highly motivated, enthusiastic and talented students to apply for a doctoral course and to join our vibrant community of doctoral scholars from all over the world. Our doctoral programmes are available either on a full-time basis studying over two to four years, or part-time basis studying over four to eight years. In addition to the traditional three year PhD programme and the Doctor of Health Science (a professional doctorate) the School also offers an innovative four year New Route/Integrated PhD programme, combining taught study with empirical research. It is designed to equip students with in-depth specialist knowledge and skills as well as research expertise. This programme is particularly recommended for international students.
Every student accepted on to a doctoral programme is allocated two supervisors with expertise in the student’s area of research. Students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisors throughout their period of study.
Specific research training is provided through attendance of university-taught, and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-accredited, research modules. Further professional skills can be developed through courses at the University’s Graduate School.
The School has a number of specialist research groups enabling doctoral students to draw on expertise in particular fields and to gain experience of working in a research team.
A flyer about the research opportunites can be downloaded here.