PhD Scholarships for Health and Social Care Employees in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Project and Scholarship in detail

Funded by NHS England to develop research skills and awareness in the NHS and local authorities, the scholarship partially funds doctoral level research supported by a supervisory team of academics with expertise in the field, alongside a cohort of other interdisciplinary health and social care PhD researchers.

As part of a single application for this scholarship and for the PhD itself, you will propose a student-driven PhD research project that:

• is related to an aspect of health and/ or social care;
• demonstrates clear potential benefit/relevance to your current NHS/ social care role and the research strategy of your employer; and
• is aligned with research interests and expertise of potential University of Brighton School of Education, Sport and Health supervisors (see Project Supervisors section below)

You will need to describe this research in an appropriately detailed research proposal. Assessors will expect this high-quality proposal to demonstrate strong potential for doctoral level study and both contribution to knowledge and benefit to the NHS/ Social Care. 

There are two scholarships, each available for either full or part-time study. These provide:

• £10,000 towards tuition fees (currently £2,503 per year for the Home fee part-time route (over 4-7 years), or £5,006 for the Home fee full-time route (over 3-4 years)*
• A dedicated supervisory team (with a minimum of two academic supervisors) 
• Specialist disciplinary environment of academic and student researchers across the University of Brighton and in the Doctoral College and School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences. 
• The Doctoral College Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme.
• Access to excellent university support services including advice and counselling, disability and dyslexia support. 

 *balance of fees will need to be met either by you yourself or your employer and you will need to explain how this balance will be met within your application.

Project supervisors 

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

This competitive scheme aims to attract candidates who demonstrate excellent academic performance and promising research potential. It is open only to new PhD applications. Current registered PhD students are not eligible for this PhD Scholarship.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, excellent grades (ie merit or above) in a masters degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Professional and employment eligibility

We accept applications from talented health professionals working in health or social care in Kent, Surrey, or Sussex, who hold a substantive NHS or local authority contract.

Applicants must be a nurse, midwife, allied health or other professional within this list of eligible professions registered with the NMC, HCPC or other relevant professional body.  

Residential eligibility criteria 

Due to the funder restrictions, this Scholarship opportunity is open only to Home students. 

English language entry requirements

All applicants must have successfully completed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in the last two years unless they are from one of the UKVI-defined list of Majority English-Speaking Countries.

Applicants who are studying for, or have obtained in the last three years, a degree from an institution in the UK or one of the UKVI-approved countries may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.  

English language IELTS requirements are 7.0 overall, with 7.0 for writing and no component below 6.5.  

We accept a number of English language qualifications including IELTS. Please contact us if you have any queries arising from this. Further details can be found here:  

Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Funding

Contact us to find out more

Guide to making your application

Applications are made through the standard University of Brighton PhD application process.

Your personal statement should speak to your motivation in applying for the Scholarship, how you meet the criteria to be eligible to apply for it, how it relates to your current role and fits with the research strategy of your place of work and benefits the NHS/Social Care agenda. You should also outline how you plan to meet balance of the fees.  

We will only consider complete applications - the application is complete once you have submitted all of the following:  

• Your research proposal (max 1000 words) - see also Project and Scholarship in detail (above)
• Your personal statement (max 600 words)
• Copies of your bachelors and masters certificates, including transcripts (or interim transcripts if not yet completed.  
• Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable).  
• Copy of your passport.  
• Two references uploaded or requested - one must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study. Both must have been written within the last year. 

To submit your application please follow these steps:  

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.  
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.  
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.  
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.  
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' or 'part-time'.  
6. Select 'Doctoral College'.  
7. Select 'NHS/ Social Care PhD Scholarships’
8. Click 'apply'.  

You will now be able to complete the online application form.