DPhil programmes
Choose from a broad range of research themes and develop your applied research skills in our thriving, multidisciplinary department, where you'll be part of a strong training community, with access to supervisor expertise.
DPhil Students
A multidisciplinary department
The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Science (NDPCHS) has been one of the world’s most important primary care centres for over 20 years, leading world-class research and training to rethink the way healthcare is delivered in general practice and other primary care settings, both across the UK and globally. We offer our graduate students dedicated facilities in close proximity to their supervisors, support staff, colleges and libraries.
At the forefront of primary care research
Integrating evidence and innovation, our main focus is on the prevention, early diagnosis and management of common illness; bringing together academics from many different backgrounds to work together to produce benefits for the NHS, for populations and for patients. We have methodological strengths in qualitative and applied research, randomised trials, analysis of big data and evidence synthesis.
Admission status
Applications for admission in 2025-26 are now OPEN.
The application deadline for most Oxford funding opportunities is 03 December 2024
How to apply
To apply for a place on any of the DPhil's in our department, you will need to submit an application using the online application form.
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Rafael Perera
Director Medical Statistics and Director of Graduate Studies
"DPhil students will find a welcoming environment where they will experience support and supervision from world leaders in their respective fields. Students should expect to use their time as DPhils to develop their researcher skills while being challenged by new ideas and perspectives; all while being part of an inclusive, multidisciplinary, and vibrant clinical department.
Our DPhil student body is diverse and welcoming, providing multiple opportunities for academic and social interaction. I look forward to welcoming new students and helping them to make the most out of our department and the University of Oxford as a whole."
DISCOVER OUR DPHIL PROGRAMMES IN:
Primary Health Care
Full time: 3-4 years Part time: 6-8 years
DPhil projects span our ten core research themes: health behaviours; health experiences; cardiovascular and metabolic health; infections and acute care; EBM and research methods; digital health; health policy and health systems; big data; international health; and clinical trials.
Translational Health Sciences
Full time: 3-4 years Part time: 6-8 years
Within the social science of healthcare innovation and knowledge translation, this doctoral degree focuses on studying the human, organisational and societal issues that impact on the adoption, dissemination and mainstreaming of research discoveries to be utilised for effective, equitable healthcare.
Evidence-Based Health Care
Part time: 6-8 years
We supervise the DPhil in EBHC, jointly run by the Department for Continuing Education and the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, spanning several research themes including, screening, diagnosis and prognosis; health care interventions; research methods; and Cancer screening, detection and prevention.
Potential projects
We offer several fully funded studentships, in addition to suggested projects without funding. Alternatively, you can submit your own idea for a project, where we strongly encourage you to contact a supervisor to discuss. All applicants must submit their own research proposal.
Meet our supervisors
We encourage all prospective students to enquire with one of our supervisors before submitting an application. This is to ensure that your research ideas fit with our criteria and core themes outlined, and can increase your chances of a successful application.
DPhil training
Alongside free training courses run by the Medical Sciences Division, we provide in-house training programme, introducing our new postgraduate students to some of the skills and areas that will be useful to them including, communications; statistical and qualitative research skills; clinical trials; and grant proposals.
Meet our students
Our graduate community reflects the multidisciplinary nature of our department, coming from a range of backgrounds including statistics, nursing, midwifery, obstetrics, nutrition, epidemiology and medical anthropology. Find out how they are make a difference to the world-class research and teaching in our department.
Funding & Scholarships
The department offers a number of fully funded studentships to outstanding applicants every year. All candidates submitting applications by the early December or January deadline will automatically be considered for full funding from a number of sources including the MRC, the Clarendon Fund, Oxford Colleges and numerous charitable sources. We also offer funding through the Primary Care Health Sciences Scholars Programme and the NIHR SPCR PHD Studentship in Primary Care.
Primary Care Scholarship
Our Primary Care Health Sciences Scholars Programme provides one fully funded three-year DPhil scholarship each year for students wishing to study within the department, for either the DPhil in Primary Health Care or the DPhil in Translational Health Sciences. The scholarship is advertised each October for admission the following October and students must submit a DPhil application online using the University application form by the December deadline to be considered.
What is it actually like to complete your DPhil with us?
Find out from our students as they discuss studying in our department and what they hope to get out of an Oxford DPhil (filmed January 2020):
We also invite you to take a look at the list of research projects currently being explored by our existing postgraduate students and the supervisors that are supporting their studies:
Additional course information
Get in touch
For all enquiries about our DPhil programme or to express your interest, contact us and a member of our admissions team will get back to you.
Alternatively, you can contact our Graduate Studies Officer, Daniel Long, directly at graduate.studies@phc.ox.ac.uk
