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Health, Wellbeing and Society PhD

Most students complete this programme in 4 years full-time

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Explore lifestyle behaviours, such as nutrition, physical activity and substance use, and their impact on public health and risks for chronic diseases.

This course is well-suited to those interested in exploring how theory, knowledge, concepts, methodology, and skills from various distinct disciplines can be integrated in a coordinated manner to coherently address important issues, problems and challenges to lifestyle behaviours and public health.

Department of Health

Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 4 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

This programme is only available through the Southwest Doctoral Training Partnership. Applications open from October each year and close around January. More information is available to Study as a South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) student at Bath

You may start this programme at any time. Most students start in September.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

Academic milestones

  1. Registration
  2. Induction
  3. Candidature
  4. Confirmation
  5. Research
  6. Writing up
  7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
  8. Submission for examination
  9. Examination (Viva Voce)
  10. Examiners report
  11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
  12. Graduation

Programme content

Learning

  • Doctoral skills online
  • Doctoral skills workshop
  • Research project
  • Supervisory team

Research content

This pathway is supported by a unique integration of research groups that engage in the latest critical thinking on disease risk determinants. The groups' work spans:

  • disease risk determinants' impact lifespan (personal, socio-cultural, environmental, psychobiological)
  • behaviour change of individuals and societies
  • health inequalities
  • broader social, political and economic contexts in which research on health and wellbeing is carried out and applied in national and international policy-making processes
  • strategies to enhance collaboration between academia, industry, and third sector organisations to successfully improve public health indicators

Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

Assessment

Assessment methods

  • Thesis
  • Viva Voce

Assessment description

Most research students who ‘do a PhD’ register in the first instance as probationer for the programme of PhD. Confirmation of PhD registration is subject to your passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and an oral examination.

Candidates are expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of their chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.

The final stage of the PhD programme is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • At least a 2:1 degree in a social science subject, or
  • an equivalent degree in another subject, together with substantial relevant work experience.

Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry.

Students may apply to the department’s MRes Health & Wellbeing prior to commencing a research degree.

English Language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Health, Wellbeing and Society PhD

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students. If you aren't paying your fees in British pounds, you should also budget for possible fluctuations in your own currency.

Find out more about student fees

How to pay

Funding options

This is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised programme, suitable for ESRC-funded 1+3 awards (MRes in Health and Wellbeing followed by the PhD) or +3 (PhD only) applications.

ESRC-funded students are able to claim (during their studies) for three additional allowances:

  • Overseas Fieldwork Allowance
  • Difficult Language Training
  • Overseas Institutional Visits

For more information on these allowances please see the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide. Please note that if you anticipate such activities you should outline the details in your application.

Find funding for doctoral research

Payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer.

Paying your tuition fees

Application information

Selection process

The selection process is done via vetting an applicant's academic background (where and on which subject the candidate obtained their undergraduate and Masters degree), plus a telephone interview with at least one member of the candidate's potential supervisory team.

Immigration requirements

If you are an international student, you can find out more about the visa requirements for studying in the UK.

For additional support please contact the Student Immigration Service for matters related to student visas and immigration.

Programme enquiries

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