The MPhil/PhD programme we offer at the Institute for Global Health is relevant to a variety of disciplines across the field of global health.
The postgraduate research degree programme we offer at the Institute for Global Health is relevant to a variety of disciplines across the field of global health. Our programmes aim to provide interesting, challenging and excellent training for exceptional students so that they may successfully pursue careers in research, medicine, health services, laboratory science, policy, or public health. MPhil/PhD research in IGH is varied and may have an international dimension, including field work carried out abroad, setting up a study within the UK, or using data from existing studies working with the respective IGH-based Principal Investigator.
The MPhil/PhD programme lasts three years, if taken full-time, or five years if part-time. With the support of their supervisory team, students finalise their research proposal during the first year, informed by the current literature and practice. It may also require collection of preliminary data or pilot questionnaires. Students are initially registered for an MPhil, upgrading to a PhD, subject to satisfactory academic progress. For a successful upgrade to PhD, the student must prepare a written report, give an oral presentation and pass an oral examination.
Postgraduate research degrees students investigate a relatively narrow topic but may be examined on a broad field of study. Where students need to spend periods of time collecting data from overseas, that will contribute directly to their thesis, they may do so provided their study leave plans are approved in advance.
All postgraduate research students are expected to undertake 10 days of skills training each year over their 2-5 year programme, which is logged and audited electronically. This will include, for example, courses on research design and statistics, ethical and legal issues, presentation skills, thesis production and career planning.
For the MPhil/PhD degree, applicants must have a minimum of an upper second-class (2:1 or better) Bachelor’s degree and a Master's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications from individuals who do not hold a Master's degree, but who have extensive relevant work experience, may also be considered.
How to apply
If you would like to apply to undertake a postgraduate research degree at IGH, you first need to identify a suitable supervisor. Information on our research areas and supervisors can be found here. Contact academics whose subject areas align with your project and interests, and include a 3-4 page research proposal. Before making an enquiry or applying, please visit the Guidance on Contacting Potential Supervisors page. Once an academic has agreed to supervise you, please submit a formal online graduate application to the MPhil/PhD Global Health programme to UCL for consideration. This must include your research proposal. The Departmental Graduate Tutor will arrange for the proposal to be reviewed by 2-3 independent academics, and an offer of a place will be made subject to these reviews, as well as the suitability of your academic background and writing skills.
In your application (and any enquiry) please provide clear details about your funding status. If funding is not in place, be clear about your plans for funding applications and any timelines involved in knowing the outcome of these. Please also state if your proposed study plan includes periods of time spent overseas collecting study data (you should consult UCL's study leave regulations prior to setting out your study plan).
For your information, please see the UCL website for information on tuition fees and living expenses whilst in London.
You should also check the general entry requirements for Graduate Research Programmes, Information by Country, where applicable.
For English language requirements, please also see the English Language Requirements page. Please note that the English language level for this programme is Level 2.
Once we have received your application and your project proposal has been reviewed, we will be in contact as soon as possible to let you know the outcome. In the meantime, if you have any queries not addressed here please contact our Teaching Administrator.
UCL IGH 4-year PhD Studentship in Pharmacometrics and Machine Learning
A four-year PhD Studentship in Pharmacometrics and Machine Learning funded by the UKRI EPSRC and GSK is available within the Institute for Global Health from the 1st October 2024.
Read about the Pharamacometrics and Machine Learning PhD Studentship.
UCL Research Scholarships
UCL’s Research Scholarship schemes are now open for 2024/25 entry.
The following scholarships are avaliable to applicants: UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (UCL-RES), UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship (UCL-ROS) and the UCL China Research Scholarship.
More information
- UCL-China Research Scholarships
UCL IGH 4-year PhD Studentship (Economics)
4 year PhD Studentship in Economics in the Centre for Global Health Economics, UCL Institute for Global Health available from 1st September 2023. Please find information regarding studentship below.
African Health Research Institute PhD Studentship
Visit the AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship website for more details.
Useful links and downloads
Guidance on writing a project proposal
Guidance on how to contact potential supervisors
Find a supervisor
IGH staff
Why study at UCL?
Global Health MPhil/PhD
Information on PhD fees, costs and funding
Information about scholarships and bursaries
Details on qualification and English language requirements
UCL Graduate Prospectus