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We have 22 Mental Health Nursing PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Mental Health Nursing PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 22 Mental Health Nursing PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

PhDs in Mental Health Nursing are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of mental health care within the nursing field.

Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of mental health disorders, the effectiveness of nursing interventions, and the impact of mental health policies on patient outcomes.

Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Nursing, Psychology, or Social Work. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.

Why study a PhD in Mental Health Nursing?

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A PhD in Mental Health Nursing allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of mental health care, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:

  • Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating mental health theories and practices to address challenges.
  • Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Further Career Development

If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.

After completing your PhD in Mental Health Nursing, a potential career option might be employment as a Medical Researcher. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, a Medical Researcher earns an average of £33,499 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.

Improve Employability

Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 94% of Nursing & Health PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.

What do prospective Nursing & Health PhD students think about study?

We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Nursing & Health PhD students in 2023:

  • 75% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
  • 66% preferred on campus learning, 12% preferred online/distance learning, and 22% preferred a blended approach.
  • 19% were interested in part-time study.
  • In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
    • Subject interest
    • Career progress
    • Skills development

If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!

Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.

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Using Serious Games to Support Dementia Carers: A Co-Design Approach

  Research Group: Living Well with Dementia
Caring for a person with dementia is emotionally and physically demanding, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to meet evolving care needs. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr M Fitzgerald
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Exploring the Impacts of Social Determinants and Personalised Physical Activity Interventions on Mental Health in Primary School Children

Ensuring children and young people have good mental health is a public health priority, yet the mental health and emotional well-being of children in the UK continue to decline. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr V Archbold, Dr KR Manchester, Dr D Bingham
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Reducing health inequalities in antipsychotic reduction for people living with dementia in care homes

Applications are invited for a PhD based at the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford. The project addresses a key area of local and international concern around high levels of antipsychotic use that can be detrimental to health of people living with dementia. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr C Powell, Prof B Fylan
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in the School of Health and Social Care: ‘Development of a psychosocial wellbeing framework to support young people presenting with mental health symptoms pre referral to NHS/statutory services’ at Sheffield Hallam University

Applications are invited for a GTA PhD scholarship in Health and Social Care commencing 1st October, 2025. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr J Turner, Prof J Smith, Prof M.B.F. Hannigan
 14 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Sheffield Hallam University: SCYPHeR - Exploring the barriers, challenges and facilitators to supporting children’s active involvement in their care in neurodisability services

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research to understand the barriers, challenges and facilitators to support children’s active involvement in leading and making decisions about their care in neurodisability services. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof J Smith, Dr KH Hay, Ms SA Armitage, Dr J Thompson
 28 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Sheffield Hallam University joint PhD programme with La Trobe University - The dream-team: investigating the influence of sleep restriction on the health, wellbeing, and performance of team-sport athletes.

Sheffield Hallam University is offering the scholarship below to study on the joint PhD programme with La Trobe University, Australia, to start 1 October 2025 (1 February 2026 start may be possible). Read more
 Supervisors: Dr D Rogerson, Dr A Ruddock, Assoc Prof M Driller, Dr L James
 28 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Last chance to apply

Sheffield Hallam University - SCYPHeR Scholarship in the Institute of Social Sciences: Understanding and measuring loneliness in children with cystic fibrosis and their carers

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a complex, life-limiting condition that affects multiple organ systems and necessitates intensive, ongoing management. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr AY Ypsilanti, Dr CC Carter, Dr SJ Jones, Dr J Thompson
 31 March 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in the School of Health and Social Care: Adapting and evaluating Daylight anxiety and worry app in diverse perinatal populations, at Sheffield Hallam University, commencing 1 October 2025.

The scholarship is for 3.5 years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £4,786, pays an annual stipend at the standard Sheffield Hallam PhD stipend rate (this is aligned with the net Real Living Wage and the current rate for academic year 2024/25 is £20,974 per annum). Read more
 Supervisors: Prof H Soltani, Dr F Fair
 14 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship - Exploring identity building and reducing loneliness in children and young people with neuromuscular conditions

The scholarship is for 3.5 years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, currently £4,786, pays an annual stipend at the standard Sheffield Hallam PhD stipend rate (this is aligned with the net Real Living Wage and the current rate for academic year 2024/25 is £20,974 per annum). Read more
 Supervisors: Prof A Wigfield, Prof J Smith
 14 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Generation of a Privacy-Conscious Dataset for Detecting Suicidal Ideation and Depression in Social Media Content Using Machine Learning

Data collected by the World Health Organisation (2023) has identified over 280 million people who suffer from depression worldwide, with over 720,000 individuals committing suicide each year (World Health Organisation, 2024). Read more
 Supervisors: Dr A Qureshi, Dr S Bhattacharya
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in the School of Health and Social Care: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at Sheffield Hallam University

Applications are invited for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarships in Health and Social Care - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), aligned to the Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition Improvement (LENI) Research Group, commencing 1st October 2025. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof M Klonizakis, Dr A Mitropoulos
 14 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in Long-Term Workforce Plan: Developing strategies to support and retain healthcare students

Applications are invited for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarship in the School of Health and Social Care. Long-Term Workforce Plan. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr R Spencer, Prof J Nightingale, Ms C Hynes
 14 May 2025  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
More details
Last chance to apply

Developing an Early Intervention for Anxiety in Children with Rare Genetic Syndromes

Applications are now open for a funded (home fees + stipend) PhD starting in October 2025, focusing on the development of an early intervention package for parents of children at risk of anxiety. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr J Waite
 31 March 2025  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Integrated omics approach to psychiatric disorders

  Research Group: Chemistry and Biosciences
In psychiatry, the selection of antipsychotics and antidepressants is led by a trial-and-error approach. The prescribing of these medications is complicated by sub-optimal efficacy and high rates of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Read more
 Supervisors: Prof K Poterlowicz, Dr S McLean
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care & Rehabilitation Research MPhil/PhD

The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care at King's is a world-leading centre for applied and allied healthcare, clinical research and education. Read more
 Self-Funded PhD Students Only  PhD Research Programme

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