Health Services Research PhD / MPhil / MD

Overview

Undertake research with real-world benefits to improve health and reduce inequalities with our PhD/MPhil/MD in Health Services Research. You’ll explore key challenges in health, and how to improve services, systems and policies to address health inequalities and improve outcomes.

Introduction

The Institute of Population Health is dedicated to globally important and locally impactful population health scholarship, through programmes or research and civic partnerships. Our research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of health services, the social origins of health and social inequalities in healthcare, and mental health and well-being, including the evaluation of a wide range of psychosocial interventions and therapies.

This multi-disciplinary research environment with strong NHS and NIHR partnerships provides a positive environment for postgraduate research students. We have expertise and ongoing research projects using both quantitative and qualitative methods, systematic reviews, clinical trials and routinely collected data in a variety of community, primary and secondary care contexts. Our work is theoretically robust, and problem and policy focused, with a socially relevant research agenda and research led postgraduate teaching.

Students studying for a postgraduate research degree in Health Services Research are based within the Department of Primary Care and Mental Health (PCMH) or the Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems (PHPS) .

Department of Primary Care and Mental Health

PCMH’s goal is to enhance mental health and wellbeing support, and primary healthcare provision. PCMH engages in scholarly activity to develop theories, models and interventions for primary healthcare and to promote mental health and wellbeing. Our research and teaching activities aim to enhance excellence in primary, community, mental health and social care at a local and global level. Our underlying principles include inclusion and diversity, multi-disciplinarity and co-production, and we adhere to robust governance and standards of professional and research ethics.

Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems

PHPS is one of the largest public health departments in the UK and has a world-leading status for its excellence in research and education, offering the ideal environment to become a recognised specialist in the field of public health. Our research prioritises tackling existing and emerging population health issues, especially those that affect our community and lead to health inequalities. We are at the forefront of research into public health, policy and systems, and in particular addressing health inequalities through action on the social determinants of health, both locally and globally. Underpinning our research, teaching and service work is the social model of health and how that can be applied to address health inequalities and inequalities within health and social care systems.

Research topics

Our Health Services Research PhD/MPhil/MD covers a broad range of potential topics for investigation. We welcome research proposals that match the research areas of our researchers in topics including:

Read more about our current research projects, methodological interests and expertise .

• Policy Research on Social Determinants of Health and Child Health
• Energy, Air Pollution and Health
• Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Food Policy
• Public Health Simulation Modelling
• Routine or Administrative Data for Analysis of Health Inequalities
• Social Science Approaches in and of Public/Population Health
• Global mental health
• Chronic conditions and polymorbidity
• Children and families
• Older adults
• Primary care and community mental health
• Big data – CIPHA and System-P
• Suicide and self-harm
• Dementia and ageing
• Clinical psychology (including forensics, pain, dementia, and physical health)
• Visual impairment in acquired brain injury.

Research culture

Our research is supported by colleagues working in health and social care, experts by experience and members of the public. We have a long and successful history of research links with NHS services and are extremely well placed to help develop students’ clinical research expertise across a range of settings in mental and physical health care.

Our research partnerships

We have several key partnerships providing excellent research and educational opportunities for our postgraduates. These include the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast , Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) and other research groups in IPH, the wider faculty and the University.

Clinical academic links such as these mean we’re well placed to support and host PhD studentships provided by UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) partners, such as:

In addition, PHPS is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on Determinants of Health Equity. Civic collaboration is a cornerstone of our research, working with a range of partners, including:

Our researchers collaborate with academic colleagues in the University’s departments of Psychology, Health Data Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health Professions, and other departments across the University which provides a rich inter-disciplinary environment for our students.

• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) .
• Liverpool City Council
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Cheshire and Merseyside integrated care board (ICB)
• N8 Research Partnership
• Health Equity North and the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA)
• NHS North West Secure Data Environment
• UNICEF Child Friendly Cities .

How to apply

• 1. Identify potential supervisors It’s useful to contact potential supervisors before you begin your application. Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Population Health for details of potential supervisors.

1. Identify potential supervisors

• 2. Prepare your application documents You may need the following documents to complete your online application: A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake) University transcripts and degree certificates to date Passport details (international applicants only) English language certificates (international applicants only) A personal statement A curriculum vitae (CV) Contact details for two proposed supervisors Names and contact details of two referees.

2. Prepare your application documents

• A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
• University transcripts and degree certificates to date
• Passport details (international applicants only)
• English language certificates (international applicants only)
• A personal statement
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact details for two proposed supervisors
• Names and contact details of two referees.
• 3. Apply Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £5,238 Part-time place, per year - £2,619

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £32,200 Part-time place, per year - £16,100

Fees stated are for 2026/27 and may be subject to change for academic year 2027/28. The University may administer inflationary rises to international fees in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs .

Funding your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding . These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom . Change it here.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Facilities and resources

The Institute of Population Health is located in several buildings across the University campus, including the Waterhouse Building, Whelan Building, Thompson-Yates Building, and Eleanor Rathbone Building. Students have access to dedicated research facilities applicable to their specific PhD projects, along with a range of meeting and social spaces.

Career support from day one to graduation and beyond

Once you graduate after completing your PhD, you’ll gain free access to Prosper to help you unlock your potential and kickstart your postdoctoral research career.

Prosper provides structured career development and support, designed specifically for postdocs, in close collaboration with employer partners and principal investigators.

Opportunities include coaching, workshops, webinars and a buddy scheme designed to help you realise the next step in your career journey.

You can also access online resources including the Prosper portal so you can manage your personal and professional development at your own pace.

As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Liverpool, you have access to an exciting portfolio of development opportunities, designed to support your ongoing success and help you realise your ambitions.

These development opportunities, available through The Academy’s PGR Development Hub , are suitable for all subject specialisms. You might be just commencing your research or in the final stages of completing your PhD.

An initial Development Needs Analysis will encourage you to reflect on your abilities. This exploration of your personal, professional and career development needs will form the foundation of a bespoke development plan you’ll agree with your supervisor.

The aim is to immerse yourself in new experiences, engage in development opportunities designed exclusively for postgraduate researchers, and reflect on your progress.

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in planning for your future career.

You can access tailored guidance and support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops.

The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

Meet our PhD researchers

These are the trailblazers, the leaders, the true originals. Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

Entry requirements

Discover the qualifications you'll need to apply for this course.

Applicants are normally expected to hold both of the following:

• A UK 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject
• A master’s degree in a relevant subject.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country .

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications .

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification | Details

IELTS | 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.0

TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 21 and speaking 23. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 4.5 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.

Pearson PTE Academic | 69 overall, with no component below 61

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Our Pre-sessional English courses vary from 6, 10, 12, 20, 30 or 40 weeks.

You can email us at elc@liverpool.ac.uk for advice on the length of Pre-sessional English course you require. Please let us know your most recent score in one of the following English languages tests so we can assess your current English language ability:

We’ll be in touch to let you know the length of Pre-sessional English course you require. We’ll also confirm whether you can study Pre-Sessional English on campus or online.

• IELTS
• LanguageCert Academic
• Pearson PTE
• Skills for English
• Oxford Test for English
• Duolingo English Test

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Research areas