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Postgraduate research in health informatics

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in health informatics

If you're interested in pursuing a postgraduate research degree in Health Informatics, Portsmouth is the perfect place to do it.

At a time when lifestyles are changing and the population is ageing, our current research in Health Informatics is exploring how information technology can potentially ease the pressure on the health and social care sectors, and help people live longer, happier and healthier lives.

As a postgraduate research degree student, you'll have the opportunity to make your own contribution to the work we're doing – and play a role in transforming our research into action.

Through our research, we're improving the design of computer systems and wellbeing services to make the delivery of healthcare more efficient and cost-effective. By helping health and care providers use data more wisely, our work is helping them to save time, while improving the accuracy of their clinical decisions, and informing new standards and techniques for treatment and care.

Our researchers have extensive practical experience working in Information Technology in the National Health Service (NHS), excellent links with other universities, professional bodies and global industry – and extensive expertise in the fields of mathematical and computer modelling, data analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, Professional Doctorate and PhD by Publication opportunities in Health Informatics below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Health Informatics PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Health Informatics, or submit your own research idea. 

Professional Doctorate

If you're a working professional interested in pursuing work-based research in the field of Health Informatics, find out more about our Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our PhD by Publication page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

  • The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
  • Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Graduate School
  • Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
  • A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
  • Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
  • Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
  • Your graduation ceremony
  • Viva examination and administration costs
  • The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
  • Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
  • University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
  • Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
  • Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

  • MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
  • PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
  • PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

International students

  • Full-time students: £19,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,712

Members of staff: £1,850

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2023/24 please visit this page.

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

International students

  • Full-time students: £19,200 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £9,600 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll have access to extensive resources including a Clinical Skills Laboratory, Digital X-Ray Suite, Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) System, and Ultrasound Room. Our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care offers you the opportunity to develop practical skills for working in health-related sciences in a safe learning environment. The Centre has simulation facilities that mirror current clinical equipment and healthcare environments.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Apply

Apply for a research degree in Health Informatics by completing our online form.

April (2024 start)

October (2024 start)

February (2025 start)

Current research

Explore the work we're doing across our areas of expertise in Health Informatics.

Applied Health Informatics

We're researching the effective design and use of IT in health and social care to improve how practitioners communicate with patients and to promote patient wellbeing

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Clinical Outcome Modelling

We're developing and evaluating mathematical and computer models, and collaborating with the NHS, to help make accurate healthcare predictions using health data science. Explore our clinical outcome modelling research.

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Ambient Assisted Living

We're exploring the use of technology in people’s daily lives to promote independence and wellbeing

 

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