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Find out more about the UCL MPhil/PhD Health entry requirements, how to apply and the application materials you’ll need.
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We are looking for applications from ambitious individuals who want to become the next leaders in healthcare. If you are a bold thinking innovator and want to further your research credentials in the healthcare management sector whilst making a positive change to global healthcare outputs, we look forward to hearing from you.
You do not have to already be in the health sector to apply, so if your previous experience is from outside of health, you should use your application to demonstrate a strong desire to pivot into the health sector. Applications for the programme are accepted on a rolling basis and the programme may start at any time of the year. Typically this is at the begining of September.
Entry requirements
Academic record:
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree and a Master's degree (including integrated Masters) in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required. Applicants who do not hold a Master's degree but who have extensive relevant work experience should contact the department.
Language requirement:
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
There are five levels of English proficiency needed to meet UCL’s English language requirements for graduate study. For this programme, English proficiency must be at Level 2.
Level 2 is equivalent to IELTS at level 7.0 or above, with no area less than 6.5 in the sub-tests.
Please note that although we encourage you to have your English proficiency score ready when you apply, you can submit an application without having completed and acquired your English language exam. If you do this however we are unable to provide you with a firm offer until scores are submitted. UCL does accept scores from other tests instead.
Find out more about the English proficiency tests accepted by UCL Admissions.
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.
Find out more about International Preparation Courses.
How to apply
Departmental application process and deadlines
All MPhil/PhD admissions decisions are made by the Departmental Graduate Tutor for Research Students and your potential primary and secondary supervisors. Please note that a key component in the admission decision is the research proposal submitted with the application form. Since the MPhil/PhD is a research-only degree, we expect candidates to have a reasonably well-defined research proposal at the time of the application.
We strongly encourage candidates to contact the Departmental Graduate Tutor and potential supervisors in advance of submission to discuss their proposal.
You must apply via the UCL online application.
Please select the Global Business School for Health as your home department in the application. In order to be considered as a prospective PhD candidate, and in addition to the documentation formally required by UCL, you will need to submit the following:
1. A research proposal
This should be uploaded as a separate attachment to your application. The proposal is an outline of the research you intend to carry out for your PhD. It should be no more than three pages long (excluding a bibliography).
2. The name of at least ONE potential supervisor who you would like to review your application
Choosing to undertake graduate research degree is a big decision and it is extremely important that you identify a research project that really excites you. Identifying the right supervisor is critical as this relationship provides you with invaluable support and guidance from a leading academic in your field.
How to identify a suitable supervisor at GBSH that conducts research in your area of interest. The best way to do this is to check our supervisor section below and read as much as you can about their research to ensure that they are suitable for you.
• The best starting point is to thoroughly research your options by looking through the list of GBSH Research Degrees Supervisors found below and click on their name to view their staff profile on UCL’s Institutional Research Information System (IRIS)
• Read as much as you can from their research to ensure they are suitable for you, including sources of information such as their Google Scholar profiles and personal webpages.
• Make contact with the specific academic you are interested in working with to explore research opportunities in more depth. Send them an tailored email
(i) introducing yourself, including information such as funding status (secured funding, self-funded, will apply for a scholarship, applying for a specific advertised position etc), whether you are a UK or overseas student.
(ii) outlining your research interests and attach a short initial draft of your research idea
(iii) explaining that you wish to apply to the PhD Programme and with that supervisor and their research group in particular
This process will help you define your interests and aspirations, contributes to making your application successful as they are likely to help you with writing the research proposal for the submission, and also serves to ensure the identification of the best possible supervisor for your needs. Finally, list their name under the "supervision" section of your application.
3. A Personal Statement
Please make sure you complete the personal statement section on the electronic application. Please include a brief statement on how your research fits within the department, and a rationale for why GBSH is the best home for your project.
4. Academic transcripts for each of your degree level qualifications
Transcripts should be uploaded to UCL Select. They should outline both the grades you achieved in individual modules and the overall grade you obtained in your degree programme, degree certificates are not sufficient. Transcripts must be translated into English.