Overview

Research programmes involve writing a thesis on a particular topic with specialist supervision. You are given research training, which is tailored to the particular needs of your research and takes into account any training you have previously received. You also have opportunities to attend modules on relevant subjects on a non-assessed basis to fill any gaps in your background.

The curriculum will be in the general area of medicine and health science research and may range from looking at mechanisms of disease or methodology, clinical research, or healthcare economics. Candidates will be required, in consultation with their supervisors, to undertake appropriate background reading; to undertake such research training as the supervisor and the Social Sciences Faculty require and to put such training into practice; to carry out a substantial body of original research, and to provide a written account of the research including its context within the current body of knowledge.

About the Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS)

CHSS is one of three research centres within the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. We have close links with colleagues within Personal Social Services Research Unit and the Tizard Centre. Carrying out high quality health services research, with local, national and international professional partners, our goal is to improve the links between research, policy and practice.

CHSS is the lead organisation of the NIHR Research Design Service South East (RDS SE). This is a collaboration with units at the Universities of Brighton and Surrey. Through the RDS SE, we offer help in the preparation of research proposals. We assist with submission to peer-reviewed funding competitions in applied health and social care. This is a free advice service to all researchers in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Help is available via research clinics, face-to-face meetings and by telephone and email.