phd midwifery uk

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Midwifery PhD

Course detail, entry requirements.

• Fees & funding
• Study & career progression

Our PhD in Midwifery allows you to delve deep into the theory and research of why we do the things we do as midwives. Studying for a PhD with us will allow you time to explore the questions you want to ask that are relevant to your service, to your mums and babies.

At the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare we have a wide range of expertise in research and the education of nurses. We have formed local, national and international multi-professional collaborative research and teaching networks with a variety of agencies, institutions, professional organisations and healthcare providers.

We invite applications for doctoral research in various topic areas, our particular areas of expertise are:

• patient safety and infection
• mental health
• midwifery and family health
• learning disability
• healthcare management and service improvement

See a list of potential PhD supervisors and read about their expertise, in the 'Supervisors' section lower down the page.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Midwifery with us?

What our students say…

The main factor that persuaded me to pursue a PhD at UWL was the opportunity to work with supervisors, who are both experts in their field and to be part of a university with a great reputation. My doctoral experience at the University of West London was outstanding. The university offers everything you need as a student to succeed in your studies and I received a huge amount of support. Also, the library provides a fantastic study environment.

World-leading Research

The University of West London has been recognised by the Government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) for its exceptional research work.

You will have a supervisory team made up of a Director of Studies with expertise in your chosen field, a further supervisor and, where appropriate, an additional adviser. Your research will be judged through the presentation of a thesis or artefact and a viva voce for academic assessment. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: 

• peer feedback and discussion   
• a series of master-classes and lectures from industry figures   
• support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project. 

About PhD study

This course is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research.  You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.  

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement.  You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare Research Centres

Our College is closely involved with two centres:

• The Richard Wells Research Centre
• European Institute for Person-Centred Health and Social Care

At the Richard Wells Research Centre we conduct primary research, undertake guideline development and review and, through its work as an internationally accredited centre for evidence-based practice, carries out comprehensive systematic reviews.

Our European Institute for Person-Centred Health and Social Care looks at newer models of care that are personalised, integrated and contextualise for chronically ill patients who need more comprehensive forms of assistance.

Our research record

View our  academic journal 'New Vistas'   to see the work of students and academics who are making an impact both locally and globally through their research findings. 

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the the capital or further afield - ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

Got a question?

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a research degree, you can contact  Professor Heather Loveday  or Associate Professor Rowan Myron .

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

We provide structured research training, expert supervision, and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

Birthing simulator

Lucina, our cutting-edge birthing simulator, enables you to learn all the stages of delivery and rare emergency scenarios.

Simulation centres

Our well-equipped simulation centres , located at our west London and Reading campuses, accurately recreate the environments you will encounter on your placements and in your midwifery career.

Rami Ranger House (Postgraduate Student Centre)

Postgraduate and International Student Centre is a new focal point for the university’s postgraduate and international students, providing dedicated space for social and learning interaction.

This building, which is three storeys high, offers spaces for collaborative working, socialising, supervision and mentoring on the ground floor. The first floor has work spaces for the postgraduate support teams to use while the second floor provides guest accommodation for visiting scholars.

The Paul Hamlyn Library

The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces. Find out more about what the  Paul Hamlyn Library has to offer .

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.

We look for students with:

• a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).

Fees & funding

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International

Please note:

• Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
• Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
• If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
• If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher Education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).

Find out more about funding opportunities. Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website , (with the exception of funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

Bursaries and scholarships

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships , scholarships and bursaries .

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (eg The Ministry / Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the Sources of funding for international students guide.

Supervisors

Dr claire anderson.

Professor Heather Loveday

Professor Kay Mafuba

Dr Linda McDonald

Professor Rowan Myron

Dr Salim Vohra

Study & career progression

As a PhD Graduate in Midwifery you will have a number of pathways you can pursue in your postdoctoral career. A number of new graduates choose to continue with their research and apply for postdoctoral research positions.

Another popular option is to return to midwifery and bring your research expertise to your next post. A third pathway is to move into education, using your research expertise and practical experience, build and inform the next generation of midwives.

How to apply

• How to apply: UK
• How to apply: International

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form. You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline (5000 words maximum)
• transcript of your highest qualification.

The research proposal outline, or statement of research interests, enables us to assess your suitability for higher degree work including:

• viability of the topic as a research study
• the most appropriate supervisor(s) to be appointed.

Learn more about applying for a PhD.

Apply for this course

Next steps after making your application.

We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.

In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an  open day  or join a campus tour .

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Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.

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Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on [email protected].

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form.  You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in midwifery.

11 degrees at 9 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

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• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
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• Price: low - high

Midwifery PhD

University of west london.

Our PhD in Midwifery allows you to delve deep into the theory and research of why we do the things we do as midwives. Studying for a PhD Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,000 per year (UK)
• 4 years Full time degree: £3,995 per year (UK)

University of Hertfordshire

A University of Hertfordshire research degree is an internationally recognised degree signifying high levels of achievement in research. Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,960 per year (UK)

University of Nottingham

Our research has a truly international outlook and wide-ranging impacts on society, the economy, health and welfare, culture, public Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £21,500 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree

University of Brighton

Midwifery and maternity care are open to a wide variety of research questions and designs. Staff and PhD students offer a community of Read more...

• 7 years Part time degree: £2,398 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,796 per year (UK)

Midwifery MPhil/PhD

University of worcester.

We welcome applications to undertake research towards MPhil and PhD degrees in Midwifery. Research at Worcester has grown significantly in Read more...

• 5 years Part time degree: £2,475 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,950 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Midwifery

University of manchester.

Programme description Our PhD/MPhil Midwifery programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Nursing and Midwifery Existing Published or Creative Work PhD

University of sunderland.

A PhD by Published or Creative Work is designed for individuals with an existing portfolio of published work addressing a central Read more...

• 6 months Part time degree: £6,000 per year (UK)

Nursing and Midwifery PhD

University of stirling.

Study for a Nursing and Midwifery PhD or MPhil at the University of Stirling and you’ll join a friendly postgraduate health science Read more...

Queen's University Belfast

From Maternal and Child Health, to Chronic Illness and Palliative Care, our research is changing and improving care for people at every Read more...

PhD Midwifery (4 years)

Programme description This postgraduate research programme in midwifery gives you the opportunity to work with internationally renowned Read more...

• 48 months Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

A PhD is “probably the most internationally transferable qualification” according to the Higher Education Policy Institute. You will Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £3,681 per year (UK)
• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £3,681 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £3,681 per year (UK)
• 4 years Full time degree: £4,600 per year (UK)

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Related subjects:.