Funding
Self-funded
Project code
HSSW3240217
Department
School of Health and Care ProfessionsStart dates
October, February and April
Application deadline
Applications accepted all year round
This project is now closed. The details below are for information purposes only. Please see the Health and Social Care Postgraduate Research Degree page for further opportunities.
Since 1998, changes to the NHS have transformed the role of ambulance paramedics.
Once responsible solely for transporting patients, they're now able to treat and manage patients, and deliver complex, out-of-hospital medical procedures such as cardiac defibrillation and nebulization therapy. They're also able to administer several prescription-only medicines.
To enable these reforms to take place, in-house occupational training for ambulance paramedics has been replaced by university academic programmes.
On this self-funded PhD project, you'll conduct research that builds on a 2017 pilot study examining how paramedics' identity and practice is impacted by the changing regulation, formalisation and education within their role.
This project will be based in the School of Health and Care Professions, and crosses the boundaries of health sciences, allied health, social care education and practice, and the sociology of health. It is supervised by Dr Assaf Givati and Dr Chris Markham.
The work will include conducting in-depth interviews, focus groups and observation of paramedic education and training.
You'll have access to training resources through the Graduate School, including improving presentation skills, project organisation skills, reviewing literature, data collection and interview, thesis writing and other training modules.
This project investigates the impact of these reforms on the paramedic workforce, including the paramedic professional organisation, identity and practice.
It aims to inform those commissioning and providing ambulance services, as well as educators and front-line paramedics, and provide an evaluation of key challenges, which are grounded in education and practice.
Entry Requirements
- An appropriate first or upper second class honours degree of any United Kingdom university or a recognised equivalent non-UK degree of the same standard honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or a master's degree in an appropriate subject.
- In exceptional circumstances, equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered.
- Full CV including personal details, qualifications, educational history and, where applicable, any employment or other experience relevant to the application
- Contact details for two referees able to comment on your academic performance
- Proof of English language proficiency (for EU students)
For administrative and admissions enquiries, please contact sci-pgr-enquiries@port.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only.
PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only).
2022/2023 fees (applicable for October 2022, February and April 2023 start)
PhD and MPhil
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full-time: £4,596 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,298 (may be subject to annual increase)
EU students
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time: £4,596 (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,298 (may be subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full-time: £16,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,100 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2022/23 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
To make an enquiry about this project, get in touch with the PhD Supervisor for this programme, Dr Assaf Givati (assaf.givati@port.ac.uk), or Chris Markham (chris.markham@port.ac.uk), quoting both the project code HSSW3240217 and the project title.
When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.
You can also visit our How to Apply pages to get a better understanding of how the PhD application process works.
October start