Study a part-time, online PhD in public health
The Public Health PhD at Lancaster University is a flexible, part-time doctoral programme designed for people who want to make an original contribution to public health research without stepping away from their current role or existing commitments.
Delivered primarily online, the programme combines expert academic supervision, structured research training and optional face-to-face academies, making it suitable for students based across the UK and internationally.
Whether you work in the delivery of public health services, policy development in government departments and NGOs, education, research or public health development, this doctorate allows you to investigate real-world public health challenges while developing advanced research expertise.
The programme explores diverse areas of public health, including health protection, health promotion, health inequalities and the evaluation of public health policy and practice.
Why choose Lancaster University for a PhD in public health?
At Lancaster University, we have built a strong international reputation for health research, with our Division of Health Research bringing together academics from multiple disciplines to address complex public health challenges.
Reasons to choose Lancaster for your Public Health PhD
- Flexible online study that fits around professional or personal commitments
- Taught within Lancaster's Division of Health Research, where we have 15 years' experience of delivering quality online education
- A structured programme combining taught research methods with independent doctoral research
- Join a global network of like-minded students
- Benefit from Lancaster University's connections with public health services, policy makers and third-sector organisations
- Learn as part of a research-active academic department with an evidence-informed approach to teaching
The course begins with a five-day induction academy at our Lancaster campus. This event is a great opportunity to build your network of fellow students and meet your supervisors face-to-face. While we strongly encourage you to attend in person to gain the full benefit of this event, joining online is possible if you are unable to travel.
About our public health research
We take a broad and inclusive approach to public health research, drawing on research from our academics who work across areas such as:
- Young people's health inequalities
- Reproductive justice
- Homelessness and poor housing
- Ethnic inequalities
- Evaluating the impact of the built environment on health and place-based evaluations
- Decarbonising health and social care
- The health inequality impacts of climate change
- Men's health
Our work employs a diverse set of innovative methods, including participatory action research, realist methodology, quasi-experimental analysis and mixed methods. Supported by grants from national and international funders, we undertake ambitious research that aims to advance knowledge and improve lives.
Collaboration is central to our approach. We work closely with communities, public health services and policy makers, placing patient and public involvement at the heart of everything we do.
We are a vibrant and welcoming team and hope you will consider coming to research with us.
Who will you be taught by on our Public Health PhD?
The Public Health PhD is delivered by Lancaster University's Division of Health Research, a multidisciplinary community of researchers specialising in health services research, epidemiology, public health and applied healthcare.
Our academic staff bring expertise from a wide range of disciplines and maintain close partnerships with public health organisations, the NHS and government bodies. These collaborations ensure that teaching and supervision remain closely aligned with current practice and emerging challenges in public health.
Throughout your doctorate, you'll receive individual supervision while becoming part of a wider research community committed to improving public health outcomes through evidence-based research.
What will you learn?
The Public Health PhD combines formal research training with independent doctoral research over four to seven years of part-time study.
Our relationships with those who provide public health services -- for example, in the UK this includes the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector -- combine with our academics' current research interests to inform the content of our modules.
Years 1 and 2
During the first two years, you'll complete online taught modules that will develop the theoretical knowledge and methodological skills you need for doctoral research.
Topics include:
- Public health theory and practice
- Research philosophy
- Research design
- Systematic reviews
- Data analysis
- Research ethics
- Advanced research management
Years 3 and beyond
From the third year onwards, your focus will shift to an original research project that addresses an important issue within your professional or academic area of interest.
Your research can usually be carried out within your own workplace or local setting while receiving regular online supervision through Microsoft Teams and meeting supervisors during annual academies.
By graduation, you'll have developed expertise in:
- Research design
- Critical evaluation of public health evidence
- Advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Academic writing and publication
- Producing original research that contributes new knowledge to the field of public health
How will you learn?
The Public Health PhD at Lancaster University is delivered primarily online, allowing you to study alongside your professional and personal commitments.
In the first two years, you'll complete online research training through interactive modules covering public health theory, research methods and research skills such as presenting and critical appraisal. Alongside this, you'll receive regular one-to-one supervision from experienced academics via Microsoft Teams.
These two years are common across the range of PhDs that we offer, which also include:
You will therefore also build a connection with students studying on these courses, too.
The programme includes an annual autumn academy at Lancaster University, offering workshops, networking opportunities and face-to-face meetings with supervisors. A five-day induction academy, available both in person and online, helps you prepare for doctoral study.
As you progress, the focus shifts to independent research, enabling you to develop an original doctoral project with ongoing support from your supervisory team.
