Queen's University of Belfast - Medical Faculty

PhD in Nursing and Midwifery

There is no specific course content as such. You are expected to take research training modules that are supported by the school which focus on quantitative and qualitative research methods. You are also expected to carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisors.

Over the course of your study, you will attend postgraduate skills training organized by the Graduate School.

You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.

Differentiation takes place about 9 months after registration for full-time students and about 18 months for part-time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up to two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then makes a judgment about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification but this is rare.

To complete a doctoral qualification, you will usually be required to submit a thesis of up to 70,000 words (less if you pursue a PhD with publications) and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.

A PhD program runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. This includes a writing up year which students can apply for should it be required.

The PhD is open to both full and part-time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or a clinical setting.

Full-time students are often attracted to research degree programs because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest. A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student’s written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.

The part-time research degree is an exciting option for professionals already working in the healthcare field who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part-time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.

If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.

Assessment

The Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.

The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

• Queen’s University Belfast is ranked 174th in the QS World University Rankings 2027
• 1st in the UK for Career Prospects for Midwifery (Guardian University Guide 2026)
• 34th in the world for Academic Reputation in Nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)
• Top 150 in the world for Nursing (Academic Ranking of World Universities (2025)
• 5th in the UK for Nursing (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
• Joint 4th in the UK for Research Quality for Nursing (Complete University Guide 2027)

Learning Outcomes

A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student’s written and oral communication skills and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programs alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.