PhD Health Humanities at Swansea University

Programme overview

A PhD in Health Humanities in the School of Social Sciences at Swansea University (Singleton Park Campus), studying health and illness with academics who are leaders in the field.

Department: School of Social Sciences | Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | Intake: October, January, April or July (some routes October only) | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Application of the concepts and methods of history, literature and the visual arts to the analysis of health and healthcare. Disability history is a particular strength, including an oral history of people affected by thalidomide. Student topics range from narratives of childbirth to images of disability in post-war English-language literature of Wales.

Career pathways

A research degree can lead to a career in academia or to employment in education, government or the private sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD: a 2.1 undergraduate degree and a master's degree; applicants with a UK first-class honours degree and no master's are considered individually. MPhil: an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or equivalent non-UK qualification). English language for international applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.5 (or recognised equivalent). One reference is required.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,006 a year (2025/26). UK student full-time annual rate (2025/26 entry point); part-time is half. Charged over the minimum candidature period. Bench fees may apply. Source

International applicants: GBP 21,950 a year (2026/27). Full-time (PhD, 3 years); year 1 Source

Intake: October, January, April or July (some routes October only)

Duration: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

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